MET GALA 2026: THE ART REFERENCES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

Emma Chamberlain’s Met Gala evolution is something to behold. She often played it safe on the red carpet, but her final form appears to be this: a Mugler muse. A team effort between Emma and Mugler's creative director Miguel Castro Freitas, her hand-painted gown honoured the art of painting. In an interview with Vogue, she revealed the dress drew inspiration from the works of Van Gogh, Edvard Munch, archival Mugler and her own father – an oil and watercolour painter. With peacock-like colours, a pluming fishtail silhouette and a bronzed beat, this is a Met Gala look for the ages.

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Hunter definitely did a crash course in art history ahead of her third Met Gala appearance, consulting Prada to transform her into Mäda Primavesi, the 9-year-old subject of Gustav Klimt’s portrait of the same name. The hyperfeminine look, complete with all-over florals, is a far cry from Hunter’s styling as Jules in Euphoria season 3. If you’ve been watching the show lately, you’ll note her edgy Hime haircut and fresh makeup, proving that Hunter is a true style chameleon. From the hairpin to the train, we’re sure Mäda would approve of this look.

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Looking as hauntingly beautiful as ever, Anok Yai referenced not a specific piece of art, but a whole sub-category. Our Mother of Sorrows (AKA the Mater Dolorosa) is a branch of Marian art, which portrays the Mother Mary often vulnerable and in tears. The Mater Dolorosa has garnered thousands of artistic tributes over the centuries, with Anok’s gilded skin, teardrop makeup and black Balenciaga gown being one of the latest. Despite the gown’s grief-stricken feel, it’s more of a statement of life than death – Anok used it to affirm her personal strength and status as one of fashion’s most influential faces. 

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One Battle After Another star Chase Infiniti only recently entered the limelight, but her Met Gala debut proves she won’t be leaving it any time soon. She joined the Thom Browne troupe with a dress inspired by the iconic Venus de Milo. Being one of Ancient Greece’s most recognisable sculptures, it’s also one of the most referenced works of art, but this dress tops our list of favourites. Embroidered with over 1.5 million stacked sequins – all meticulously placed to mimic the human anatomy – it both celebrates Alexandros of Antioch’s sculpture and the female body. Chase went with fresh-faced, minimal makeup to draw all the attention to her one-of-a-kind gown. But with a face card like hers, makeup is optional.

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Kylie Jenner is no Met Gala newbie. It’s been 10 years since her first appearance (time has really flown since that crystal-encrusted Balmain dress), but this might be her greatest look yet. Kylie is among Schiaparelli’s A-list clientele, and she linked arms with the brand for this illusory, corseted, head-turning gown. With a sculptural bodice, it’s another tribute to the Venus de Milo – but more directly alluding to the sculpture’s nudity and draped skirt. Kylie went full Met Gala maximalism with bleached brows and grungy glam to tie the flesh-inspired look together.

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Met Gala maverick Janelle Monáe has yet to go off-theme for the red carpet, and she effortlessly executed the 2026 brief. Working with designer Christian Siriano, instead of paying homage to the art of the past, they created contemporary art to be admired by future generations. A zoom into the dress reveals live moss, a motherboard, cables, wires, butterflies and crystals – a synthesis of technology and nature in the form of fashion. Here’s a little fun fact: Janelle’s IG post detailing the look mentions Cindi Mayweather, her futuristic alter-ego who sometimes shows up in her music.

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