The most talked-about looks at this year's Met Gala

The theme for 2026 Met Gala fundraiser is "Costume Art", exploring fashion as an embodied art form. Met Gala 2026 looks: Beyonce, Rihanna and Katy Perry turn heads on the carpet Watch: Met Gala sees Beyoncé's return and a star-studded red carpet Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. A composite of four photos: Katy Perry wears a white dress and mirror mask, Beyonce wears a skeleton dress, Sam Smith wears a feathered headpiece, and Anna Wintour wears a turquoise feathered cape. The most talked-about looks at this year's Met Gala Split screen image showing Beyoncé on the left and Sabrina Carpenter on the right. Celebrities arrived to the 2026 Met Gala with their take on this year's theme - costume art - where organisers asked attendees to experiment with the lavish and whimsical dress code. The annual event is a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, and serves as chance for celebrities and design houses to go all-out on spectacle. The golden-voiced Broadway star Joshua Henry, took the drama up a notch by opening the carpet with a rendition of "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" with a band and dancers on the Met's iconic steps, which were outfitted to look like mossy bricks in a lush garden. The guest list was especially starry this year, with the event's co-chairs including the musical multihyphenate Beyoncé, actress Nicole Kidman, tennis star Venus Williams, and global editorial director of Vogue Anna Wintour. A parade of celebrities, including Naomi Osaka, Angela Bassett, Madonna, and Sabrina Carpenter posed for the cameras. Some famous faces - Bad Bunny, Heidi Klum, and Katy Perry - were nearly unrecognisable thanks to their commitment to the "costume" theme. Here's a look at some of the highlights and most talked-about looks. Beyoncé takes over the carpet with her famous family Beyonce wears a gown with an embellished skeleton design, and a giant feather cape. Beyoncé made her first Met Gala appearance in 10 years, and to make up for lost time she sported a monumental look. The creation, by French designer Olivier Rousteing, took on the Gala's theme with a gown with an embellished skeleton design, and added a giant feathered cape. The BBC caught up with Beyonce on the carpet. Asked how it felt to be back, the star said, "It feels great to be here with my daughter and husband". The star took the carpet with husband, rapper Jay-Z, and her daughter, Blue Ivy, who at 14 years old marks one of the youngest attendees. The Gala typically only allows guests who are 18 or older. Beyoncé's poses with her daughter Blue Ivy, and husband Jay-Z. Rihanna arrives fashionably late, A$AP Rocky in tow Rihanna wears a silver dress that wraps around her body, and A$AP Rocky wears a long baby pink coat. As has become almost tradition, the musical and fashionable power couple closed down the Met Gala carpet, arriving virtually after everyone. Rihanna donned a custom Maison Margiela by Glenn Martens gown encrusted with thousands of jewels and beads. A$AP Rocky, who co-chaired last year's Gala, arrived in custom Chanel. He donned a pink coat with black satin lapels. Anna Wintour wears her hair in her signature bob and sports dark sunglasses. Her dress is an avian-inspired confection, with a turquoise feathered cape on top of a darker-green dress whose embroidery resembles feathers. Anna Wintour, the Global Editorial Director of Vogue magazine, wore a feathery custom Chanel confection to her signature event. It marked her first Gala since stepping down as Editor-in-Chief of American Vogue. She has co-chaired the event nearly every year since 1995. Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman goes red Actress Nicole Kidman wears a long-sleeved beaded column gown in a deep red shade. Red feather ruffles adorn her sleeve cuffs and midriff. Actress and event co-chair Nicole Kidman donned a red, long-sleeved beaded column gown by Chanel. She attended with her daughter, Sunday Rose. Venus Williams wears a black, sparkling gown with a flared train, but the star of the outfit is her large silver neck adornment. American tennis star Venus Williams, a five-time Wimbledon winner, also co-chaired the event. She wore a black sparkling gown with a luxurious silver, jewel-encrusted neck adornment. She let out a cheer when the BBC asked her how it felt to co-chair the gala. "I'm dancing inside," she said. Serena Williams wears a silver dress with a high leg slit. The other Williams sister, Serena, wore a silver Marc Jacobs creation that echoed the classical art on display in the museum. Lauren Sánchez Bezos channels "Madame X" Lauren Sánchez Bezos, wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, wears a tight-fitting navy blue dress with off the shoulder, embellished sparkling straps. Lauren Sánchez Bezos, the wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is an honorary chair at this year's gala. Her Schiaparelli gown invokes one of the most famous (and scandalous) dresses in art history: the gown portrayed in John Singer Sargent's "Madame X". Broadway star Joshua Henry puts on a show Broadway actor Joshua Henry wears a red double-breasted tuxedo with silver lapel embellishments. He stands on the stairs and sings as he performs for the press. "Ragtime" star Joshua Henry didn't just attend the red carpet. He opened the evening with a performance of Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody", accompanied by dancers and a band. Colman Domingo's suit pops against the carpet Coleman Domingo wears a jacket featuring a black background and pink, blue, and yellow squares. Domingo isn't afraid to take big fashion swings, and this unusual suit has costume elements while remaining sleek. Heidi Klum stands on the white stairs at the Met Gala dressed as a marble statue wearing a veil The supermodel took her penchant for extravagant Halloween costumes to the Met Gala, where she dressed as one of the many marble statues gracing the museum's halls. Bad Bunny wears aging makeup to make himself look like an old man. Bad Bunny followed in Klum's footsteps with another very costumey look. The 32-year-old singer wore makeup that made him look like an old man. But a very dapper old man, regardless. Angela Bassett wears a pink gown with a single shoulder strap. Bassett wore a pink gown designed by Prabal Gurung that was inspired by a Harlem Renaissance painting, "Girl in a Pink Dress" by Laura Wheeler Waring. Bassett wore a pink gown designed by Prabal Gurung that was inspired by a Harlem Renaissance painting, She told the BBC that fashion was integral to getting into character. Emma Chamberlain's painting-inspired gown Influencer Emma Chamberlian wears a multi-colored gown that resembles a painting. It begins with dark blue colors at the base before transforming into a yellow and teal abstraction. Her sleeves also have fringes down to the floor. Influencer Emma Chamberlian wore a multi-colored gown, courtesy of Mugler by Miguel Castro Freitas, that resembles a painting. Model and activist Aariana Rose Philip makes historic Gala debut Philip wears a black dress. She is the first wheelchair user to attend the Met Gala, according to Vogue magazine. Philip is the first wheelchair user to attend the Met Gala, according to Vogue magazine. "For so long, disabled people were not represented anywhere," Philip told Vogue. "The thought of even being able to exist at an event like this... nobody even went there. To go from that to now, somehow finding myself there - I can't say how blessed and honored I feel attending." Teyana Taylor wears a gown and headpiece made of silver fringe. Teyana Taylor brought her fringed dress to life by dancing on the carpet. Famed Indian designer Manish Malhotra paired a bandhgala with an almost impossibly ornate cape that features white embroidery agains black fabric. The cape's design is a tribute to Mumbai, which took a team of 50 artisans 960-hours to make. Famed Indian designer Manish Malhotra paired a bandhgala with an almost impossibly ornate cape. The cape's design is a tribute to Mumbai, which took a team of 50 artisans 960-hours to make. Karan Johar wears a vintage jacket under a hand-painted cape with detailed embroidery. Johar's team described the paintings featured on his outfit as characters from Indian mythology. The Bollywood director also wore a design by his friend Manish Malhotra. It consisted of a vintage jacket under a hand-painted cape with detailed embroidery. Johar's team described the paintings featured on his outfit as characters from Indian mythology. Johar told the BBC that fashion was a massive part of his movies, which have been cemented as some of the most iconic in modern Bollywood. He added that the day had him feeling emotional. Cara Delevingne's gown saves its drama for the back Cara Delevingne is seen standing on the Met staircase, her back to the camera. Her Ralph Lauren has dramatic sheer details and a long train in the back. Cara Delevingne is seen standing from the front on the Met staircase. Delevingne's Ralph Lauren gown seemed simple from the front. But when she turned around, the dramatic sheer details had a vivid effect on the Met stairs. Chase Sui Wonders wears a lavender gown with panels in alternating fabrics. She holds a long piece of fabric emanating from her neck bow in her right hand. Actress Chase Sui Wonders dripped with diamonds in a pale lavender dress. Lena Dunham wears a vivid red dress made out of feathers and sequins. Lena Dunham, creator of the HBO show "Girls", wore a vivid Valentino red dress made out of feathers and sequins. She told Vogue that her dress was inspired by Artemisia Gentileschi's Renaissance-era painting, "Judith Slaying Holofernes" - specifically, the blood spraying from the Assyrian general's neck. Charlie XCX wears a black gown with a floral embellishment on the front. The carpet might featured hues of green, but Charlie XCX opted against her signature color for a sophisticated Saint Laurent black gown with a floral embellishment on the front. Doja Cat's classic draping comes with a twist Doja Cat wears a classically Grecian dress in an unconventional fabric: silicone. Doja Cat wears a classically Grecian Saint Laurent dress in an unconventional fabric: silicone. Activist, writer, and public speaker Sinéad Burke made her return to the Met Gala in a black corseted gown with flowing sleeve embellishments. Activist, writer, public speaker Sinéad Burke made her return to the Met Gala in a black corseted gown with flowing sleeve embellishments. Naomi Osaka wears a white coat dress and dramatic white hat. Naomi Osaka reveals a red dress underneath her coat. Naomi Osaka's hands are seen close up in red gloves with long nails against a full white skirt Tennis Grand Slam champ Naomi Osaka, who arrived in white and red Robert Wun, had not one but two looks. She took off her white coat to reveal a second outfit, this time a deep maroon dress with a lace-up back. Katy Perry wears a white gown. Her face is obscured by a mirrored headpiece. Trust us: This is Katy Perry. The pop star's unique, and somewhat eerie mirrored mask obscured her face. But don't worry, it opens! Connor Storrie heats up the green carpet Connor Storrie wears a black dotted halter top with a long train flowing from the neck. Connor Storrie, one of the stars of hit Netflix series Heated Rivalry, walked the carpet in daring menswear by Saint Laurent. Hudson Williams wearing a blue and black matador-esque suit with a black cape Meanwhile, Storrie's co-star Hudson Williams' opted for a matador-esque suit from Balenciaga. But the real star of his look was his makeup, which Williams said was inspired by the movie "Black Swan." Lisa, a member of the K-Pop group BLACKPINK, wears a white gown with an interesting illusion: mannequin arms hold up a white veil, while her real arms are free to pose. Lisa, a member of the K-Pop group Blackpink, wears a white Robert Wun gown with an interesting illusion: mannequin arms hold up a white veil, while her real arms are free to pose. Rosé, a member of the K-Pop group BLACKPINK, wears a strapless black dress from Saint Laurent, with a sequined cutout in the shape of a bird attached to the hip. Lisa's fellow Blackpink bandmate Rosé was also in attendance, wearing Saint Laurent. Zoë Kravitz wore a black lace Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello gown. But the actress frequently posed with her hand in her pocket, amid rumours of an engagement to pop star Harry Styles. Sabrina Carpenter brings Hollywood glamour - literally Sabrina Carpenter wears a dress made out of film strips. Pop star Sabrina Carpenter donned a dress made out of celluloid film strips. When asked by the BBC what the film on the dress is from, the Grammy-winning singer shouted, "Sabrina" - possibly referring to the classic film with Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart from 1954. Sam Smith wears a black coat-dress, with a headpiece that features sky-high black feathers. Singer Sam Smith arrived in a glamourous robe, with a towering feathered headpiece that made the look stand out. Hunter Schafer wears a white dress with cutouts that reveal blue floral fabric. The Euphoria actress wore a custom Prada dress, which took inspiration from Gustav Klimt's 1912 painting Mäda Primavesi - an art piece in the Met's collection. The Euphoria actress wore a custom Prada dress, which took inspiration from Gustav Klimt's 1912 painting Stevie Nicks wears a voluminous black gown with a top hat. The rock icon swept the Met Gala stairs in a voluminous black gown with a top hat. Cher wears a black dress with a leather and lace bodice. Perhaps in tribute to Nicks' "Leather and Lace", another notable diva, Cher, wore a black dress with a jacket that felt both elegant and tough. Madonna wears a black dress, a headpiece shaped like a tall ship -- sails and all -- and holds a horn instrument in her hand. She wears a grey veil on top. The winds must have blown favorably to bring Madonna to the Met Gala. Her nautical-witch look featured a headpiece shaped like a tall ship, an ethereal grey veil, and an entourage of models to help guide it down the carpet. Kim Kardashian wears a moulded orange body suit with an orange skirt. The businesswoman and reality star said that British design duo Whitaker Malem made her orange bodice dress. Influencer and reality star Kylie Jenner's Schiaparelli dress at first appeared to be falling off her. But a cleverly designed nude bodice held the entire look together. Businesswoman and reality star Kylie Jenner's Schiaparelli dress at first appeared to be falling off her. But a cleverly designed nude bodice held the entire look together. Kendall Jenner's white dress falls off her shoulder to reveal a nude bodice on one side. Model Kendall Jenner arrived in a dress that thematically rhymed with her sister Kylie's, this time by Zac Posen for GAP. This didn't escape the attention of reporters on the carpet, asking Kendall if the two got ready together. Sarah Paulson wears a grey dress, white gloves, and an eye mask made out of a dollar bill. Actress Sarah Paulson wore grey tulle dress and a mask fashioned out of a dollar bill, obscuring part of her face. When the BBC asked her what is signified, she simply said the "1 percent". Anna Wintour brought the glam, Beyoncé brought the fam, and Heidi Klum was... statuesque at this year's fundraiser. American singer Izzy Escobar features on the album alongside the likes of Dua Lipa and Olivia Dean. New York's mayor made the comments hours before meeting King Charles, but it's unclear if he brought up the diamond. The 80-year-old country music star said it will take some time for her to be "stage-performance ready" again. The Boeing 767, operating a flight from Venice, Italy, landed safely with no reported injuries among the 231 passengers and crew on board. What does the operation entail and could it lead to a resumption of hostilities? The 44-year-old will avoid jail time after her arrest in California earlier this year. The ex-New York mayor 'remains in critical but stable condition', according to his spokesman.