The hidden references behind the Met Gala’s boldest red carpet looks as Kylie Jenner, Cardi B and Madonna all stick to Anna Wintour’s Fashion is Art dress code
The Met Gala is famous for both its outlandish themes and the celebrity attendees’ refusal to abide by the dress code.
But the 2026 gala featured a long line-up of celebrities who stayed true to the Fashion is Art theme and took inspiration from some of the world’s most famous works of art.
In front was Kylie Jenner in a nude Schiaparelli dress. The bodysuit, which featured fake nipples, was complemented by a cream satin dress that gathered around her hips.
Kylie’s dress was one of the standout looks of the night, but the art reference was subtle, and fans later noted that the dress was inspired by the famous Venus of Milo statue by Alexandros of Antioch.
Meanwhile Cardi B He was made fun of on social media because of his strange behavior. Marc Jacobs dress compared to most columns.
The rapper told reporters: The giant sheer Marc Jacobs dress with a black lace overlay was actually inspired by The Doll — an apparent reference to Hans Bellmer’s The Doll , a series of photographs centering on a contorted female body.
Kylie Jenner’s Schiaparelli dress at the 2026 Met Gala was inspired by the famous Venus de Milo statue by Alexandros of Antioch
Cardi B got scammed on social media with her weird Marc Jacobs dress. The rapper told reporters that her huge sheer Marc Jacobs dress was inspired by Hans Bellmer’s The Doll.
Madonna also chose a lesser-known work of art as a reference. The superstar took over the blue carpet from Saint Laurent’s Anthony Vaccarello, evoking British-Mexican surrealist painter Leonora Carrington’s painting The Temptation of Saint Anthony.
The Gothic black lace dress was adorned with a striking ship’s headdress and bore a golden horn, a direct replica of the woman depicted in Carrington’s work.
Heidi Klum went all out on the theme and achieved a look that can only be described as a living sculpture.
The Mike Marino costume was most reminiscent of Raffaelle Monti’s 1847 Vestal Virgin marble.
Kim Kardashian put on a leggy look in an orange metallic bodysuit with a custom-molded chest plate on the front, by British artist Allen Jones and Whitaker Malem.
The leather material fell behind and featured both nude and vibrant orange tones.
The outfit was inspired by Jones’ poster for the 1975 French erotic film Maîtresse, which sparked controversy in both the US and the UK upon its release.
Emma Chamberlain was inspired by both famous works of art and her personal connection to painting.
Madonna inherited the blue carpet in her look from Saint Laurent’s Anthony Vaccarello, evoking British-Mexican surrealist painter Leonora Carrington’s painting The Temptation of Saint Anthony.
Inspiration for the sculptural fembot look Kim Kardashian wore to the 2026 Met Gala revealed
Heidi Klum went all out on the theme and achieved a look that can only be described as a living sculpture.
The star wowed in a custom Mugler gown by Miguel Castro Freitas, hand-painted by artist Anna Deller-Yee.
The colorful dress’s print was inspired by the works of Van Gogh and Munch, but Emma said her father’s work as an oil and watercolor painter also played a part in the creation of her own look.
Rachel Zegler has made a statement about her controversial career trajectory with her 2026 Met Gala ensemble, as well as her adherence to the Fashion is Art dress code.
The Snow White actress attended the annual event for the third time in a stunning Atelier Prabal Gurung gown.
Rachel Zegler makes a statement about her controversial career trajectory as well as adhering to the Fashion is Art dress code in her Atelier Prabal Gurung dress
Emma Chamberlain was inspired by both famous works of art and her personal connection to painting
The pearl silk gown was accessorized with Jennifer Behr’s custom silk mask.
Rachel, 25, later confirmed the blindfold was a reference to Paul Delaroche’s famous 1833 painting The Execution of Lady Jane Gray, who was beheaded for treason in 1554.
Fans applauded the reference, thinking that Rachel’s experience with ‘scapegoating’ and ‘cancel culture’ could be related to the plot of the painting.
“Rachel Zegler mused, referencing the execution of Lady Jane Gray, who was unfairly scapegoated and executed as a young girl,” said one fan on X.
Gracie Abrams chose gold Chanel for her second year at the Met. Working with Matthieu Blazy, they created a dress inspired by the work of Gustav Klimt.
Hunter Schafer’s signature empire waist Prada look was also directly inspired by Gustav Klimt and specifically his seven-foot painting Mäda Primavesi.
Ben Platt represented the men in a custom, hand-painted and embroidered Tanner Fletcher suit inspired by post-Impressionist artist Georges Seurat’s 1884 painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.
Gracie Abrams chose gold Chanel for her second year at the Met. Working with Matthieu Blazy, they created a dress inspired by the work of Gustav Klimt.
Hunter Schafer’s custom empire waist Prada look was also directly inspired by Klimt, and specifically his seven-foot painting Mäda Primavesi.
Ben Platt represented the men in a custom, hand-painted and embroidered Tanner Fletcher suit inspired by the works of post-Impressionist artist Georges Seurat. A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, 1884.
