Top 10+ hidden meanings behind Met Gala 2026’s biggest looks

The dress code for the Met Gala is never straight forward, from 2018’s Heavenly Bodies theme to 2019’s iconic Camp theme, it came as no surprise that the 2026 theme Costume Art was as nuanced as ever.

Although many celebrities dressed similarly (Nicole Kidman/ Lena Dunham to name one pair), each look was inspired by a different reason and interpretation of the theme. Inviting guests and designers to do their homework and look into the myriad of great artists that have existed over the years.

In case you missed some of the references on tonight’s red carpet, here is a breakdown of the inspiration behind some of the biggest looks including Anne Hathaway’s poem-inspired frock, Lauren Sánchez Bezos cheeky portrait allusion and Venus Williams nod to her athletic career.

Met Gala Red Carpet

Met Gala 2026 red carpet. Pic: Getty

I mean, how could we possibly delve into the biggest looks from the Met Gala, without first acknowledging the insanely beautiful red carpet they were standing on!

Raúl Àvila and his event design team which includes Elvis director Baz Luhrmann and the award-winning set designer Derek McLane, decided to focus the red carpet on the vibes of Northern Italian gardens. Pulling inspiration from Renaissance design, the goal to create a dreamy atmosphere in which guests were immersed in a work of art most definitely came to life.

Sabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter had fans obsessed with this look. Credit: Getty

Sabrina Carpenter’s red carpet look did not disappoint. The singer arrived in a custom Dior dress rhinestone-wrapped in real film to celebrate the museum’s “Costume Art” exhibit. Speaking on Vogue’s livestream, Carpenter revealed that the film on her dress is from the 1954 movie Sabrina starring Audrey Hepburn. How cool?!

Blake Lively

Blake Lively proved that you don’t have to wear a famous artist’s work to look good, in fact, you can wear your children’s! The actress wore a purse featuring art by her and husband Ryan Reynolds’ children James, 11, Inez, 9, Betty, 6, and Olin, 3.

“This is a Judith Leiber bag,” she told Vogue, “and we were trying to find a piece of famous iconic art to put on and make it look like it’s in a frame.”

“Then I said, ‘If you’re gonna do it custom, can you do my kids’ art?’ So my kids each painted a watercolor painting,” Blake continued. “Each of my four kids did this. Isn’t that special? So I have them with me.”

Cardi B

Cardi B is wearing Marc Jacobs for the evening. Credit: Getty

Cardi B’s Met Gala 2026 look has been super divisive, with many on social media saying she looks like loose intestines (ouch), but we got the vision. Wearing a custom Marc Jacobs dress, the look pulled inspiration from German artist Hans Bellmer who is best known for the life-sized female dolls he would produce.

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway at the 2026 Met Gala. Pic: Getty

Taking the theme of “Costume Art” to a whole new level, Anne Hathaway is wearing a custom, hand-painted Michael Kors dress designed in collaboration with American artist Pete McGough.

The inspiration for the look is poem Ode on a Grecian Urn by John Keats; a piece that represents a wish for peace, beauty and harmony. Magnifique.

Gracie Abrams

Gracie Abrams at the 2026 Met Gala. Pic: Getty

Gracie Abrams looked stunning in a Chanel ballgown adorned with beautiful jewels that is said to be inspired by the Austrian artist Gustav Klimt. The painter was best known for his use of gold leaf and the 2026 Met Gala saw his visions come to life.

Venus Williams

Venus Williams at the 2026 Met Gala. Pic: Getty

For Met Gala 2026 co-chair Venus Williams look she referenced none other than herself. Well, a painted image of herself that hangs in the National Portrait Gallery that is.

Venus also told Who What Wear: “My accessories on Monday night are all custom pieces, and they’re really designed to bring to life that only 6% of global sports science research focuses exclusively on the female body.”

Natasha Poonawalla

Natasha Poonawalla at the 2026 Met Gala. Pic: Getty

Indian businesswoman Natasha Poonawalla told Town & Country Magazine, “I knew very early on that I wanted to wear white, a subtle nod to peace, as we are all aware times are exceptionally challenging right now.” She also added that it is important to remind one another of the “human spirit and brilliance” during divisive times.

Lauren Sánchez Bezos

Lauren Sánchez Bezos at the 2026 Met Gala. Pic: Getty

She may have been welcomed to the event, but the public certainly weren’t happy about the thought of Jeff Bezos’ wife Lauren Sánchez Bezos attending the Met Gala. Seemingly poking fun at the uproar over her attendance, she wore a Schiaparelli gown based on the John Singer Sargent portrait of Madame X.

For those unfamiliar with the painting of socialite Virginie Gautreau, it depicted a young woman with the strap of her dress slipping off her shoulder and was much too risqué for its time. Perhaps it is Bezos’ way of saying she too is ahead of the times… she has been to space after all!

Lena Dunham

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Lena Dunham wore a flamboyant and striking red sequin dress to the 2026 Met Gala that was based on something much darker. Working alongside Valentino’s Alessandro Michele, the pairing zoned in on the painting Judith Slaying Holofernes, which was painted circa 1620.

“I shared that inspiration with Alessandro, but because his brain works in the most magical ways, rather than leaning into the Renaissance garments or the swords or any of it, he was attracted to a particular blood spatter on the neck of Holofernes,” she told Vogue.