The 2026 Met Gala, fashion's biggest night, took place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. This year's theme, "Costume Art," encouraged attendees to embrace lavish and whimsical dress codes.

The annual fundraiser supports the museum's Costume Institute and serves as a platform for celebrities and design houses to go all out on spectacle.

Broadway star Joshua Henry opened the red carpet with a performance of Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody," accompanied by a band and dancers on the Met's iconic steps, which were transformed into mossy bricks in a lush garden.

The guest list was exceptionally starry, with co-chairs including Beyoncé, actress Nicole Kidman, tennis star Venus Williams, and Vogue's global editorial director Anna Wintour.

A parade of celebrities, including Naomi Osaka, Angela Bassett, Madonna, and Sabrina Carpenter, posed for cameras. Some famous faces—Bad Bunny, Heidi Klum, and Katy Perry—were nearly unrecognizable due to their commitment to the costume theme.

Beyoncé made her first Met Gala appearance in 10 years, wearing a monumental creation by French designer Olivier Rousteing. The gown featured an embellished skeleton design and a giant feathered cape.

Rihanna donned a custom Maison Margiela gown by Glenn Martens, encrusted with thousands of jewels and beads. A$AP Rocky arrived in custom Chanel, wearing a pink coat with black satin lapels.

Anna Wintour wore a feathery custom Chanel confection, marking her first Gala since stepping down as editor-in-chief of American Vogue.

Nicole Kidman wore a red, long-sleeved beaded column gown by Chanel, accompanied by her daughter Sunday Rose.

Venus Williams, a five-time Wimbledon winner, co-chaired the event in a black sparkling gown with a silver jewel-encrusted neck adornment. She told the BBC, "I'm dancing inside."

Lauren Sánchez Bezos, honorary chair, wore a Schiaparelli gown inspired by John Singer Sargent's famous painting "Madame X."

Joshua Henry not only attended but opened the evening with a performance.

Heidi Klum dressed as one of the marble statues in the museum's halls.

Bad Bunny wore makeup to look like an old man—but a very dapper one.

Angela Bassett wore a pink gown by Prabal Gurung inspired by Laura Wheeler Waring's painting "Girl in a Pink Dress."

Emma Chamberlain wore a multicolored Mugler gown resembling a painting.

Philip became the first wheelchair user to attend the Met Gala, according to Vogue.

Teyana Taylor brought her fringed dress to life by dancing on the carpet.

Indian designer Manish Malhotra wore a bandhgala with an ornate cape paying tribute to Mumbai, requiring 960 hours of work by 50 artisans.

Bollywood director Karan Johar wore a design by Malhotra featuring a vintage jacket under a hand-painted cape with embroidery depicting characters from Indian mythology.

Cara Delevingne's Ralph Lauren gown had dramatic sheer details on the back.

Lena Dunham wore a vivid red Valentino dress inspired by Artemisia Gentileschi's "Judith Slaying Holofernes."

Charli XCX opted for a sophisticated black Saint Laurent gown.

Doja Cat wore a classic Grecian Saint Laurent dress made of silicone.

Naomi Osaka had two looks: a white and red Robert Wun, then a deep maroon dress with a lace-up back.

Katy Perry's face was obscured by a mirrored mask that opens.

"Heated Rivalry" stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams wore Saint Laurent and Balenciaga, respectively.

Blackpink members Lisa and Rosé appeared in Robert Wun and Saint Laurent.

Zoë Kravitz wore a black lace Saint Laurent gown and frequently posed with her hand in her pocket.

Sabrina Carpenter wore a dress made of celluloid film strips.

Sam Smith arrived in a glamorous robe with a towering feathered headpiece.

Sydney Sweeney wore a custom Prada dress inspired by Gustav Klimt's painting "Mäda Primavesi."

Stevie Nicks swept the stairs in a voluminous black gown with a top hat.

Cher wore a black dress and jacket.

Madonna's nautical-witch look featured a headpiece shaped like a tall ship.

Kim Kardashian wore an orange bodice dress by Whitaker Malem.

Kylie Jenner's Schiaparelli dress appeared to be falling off but was held by a nude bodice.

Kendall Jenner wore a Zac Posen for GAP dress.

Sarah Paulson wore a grey tulle dress and a mask made of a dollar bill, signifying "the 1 percent."

Source: www.bbc.com