Met Gala 2026: Anna Wintour, Nicole Kidman and Lauren Sánchez Bezos lead standout red carpet looks

The 2026 Met Gala has officially begun in New York City, with celebrities arriving in bold interpretations of this year’s theme, Costume Art, which encouraged guests to embrace theatrical, whimsical, and high-fashion creativity.

Held annually as a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, the event once again transformed the red carpet into a showcase of extreme couture, with designers and stars competing in spectacle and style.

Vogue’s Global Editorial Director Anna Wintour arrived in a custom Chanel creation featuring a turquoise feathered cape layered over a dark green embroidered gown, staying true to her signature look while embracing the theme.

Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman, one of this year’s co-chairs, wore a deep red Chanel beaded column gown with feathered detailing, attending the event alongside her daughter, Sunday Rose.

Tennis legend Venus Williams also served as co-chair, wearing a black sparkling gown paired with a dramatic silver jewel-encrusted neckpiece that became one of the night’s standout accessories.

Photo: Getty Images

Lauren Sánchez Bezos, wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and honorary chair of the gala, wore a Schiaparelli navy gown inspired by John Singer Sargent’s famous painting Madame X, bringing an art-history reference to the carpet.

The evening opened with a live performance from Broadway star Joshua Henry, who sang Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance With Somebody on the Met steps, backed by a live band and dancers.

Influencer Emma Chamberlain also made waves in a painting-inspired Mugler gown, featuring a gradient design that shifted from deep blue to bright yellow and teal.