The Best 2026 Live Met Gala Red Carpet Fashion Updates, Direct From ‘Marie Claire’ Editors

Chloe Malle's Met Gala Debut as a 'Vogue' Lead Nods to Another Famous Woman

"In her first Met Gala appearance as head of Vogue, Chloe Malle chose an orange chiffon dress art fanatics everywhere will recognize. The gauzy fabric and clementine shade certainly seem adjacent to Flaming June, the 1895 painting by Frederic, Lord Leighton." —Halie LeSavage

Charli xcx's "Vampy" Met Gala Dress Debuts Outside the Carlyle Hotel

"This Saint Laurent take on Charli xcx's vampy style—the woman lives and dies by a black dress—is both modern and timeless: the cut and color are traditional, as are the diamond accessories, but the appliqué flower and gauzy fabric lends it a modern edge. Very cool, very Charli." —Jenny Hollander, digital director

Lauren Sánchez-Bezos Makes an Understated Met Gala Entrance

"With all those eyes (and protestors) watching for Lauren Sánchez-Bezos and her husband, Jeff Bezos, it seems the former journalist wanted to go understated on the carpet. Was her cinched-in, strapless navy gown enough to keep her from pulling focus away from the main event? According to the throngs of demonstrators outside, probably not." —Halie LeSavage

La La Anthony Ascends the 2026 Met Gala Red Carpet

"I always look forward to Wiederhoeft's Met Gala designs, and this snatched dress for La La Anthony doesn't miss. All that intricate beading, including those dewdrop-adjacent charms? Stunning from neckline to hem. Stylist Zerina Akers is off to a strong start tonight." —Halie LeSavage

Anna Wintour Shows a Rare Smile On the 2026 Met Gala Sidelines

"The woman of the hour—rather, the entire evening—has arrived. I spotted Anna Wintour on the Met Gala sidelines, gazing at Cara Delevingne and Ashley Graham's 'Fashion Is Art' interpretations in awe. If only someone was there to give the feather cape atop her ombré, aquamarine-to-black dress a Wintour-esque nod of approval. Trust: I'm sending her one from afar."—Meguire Hennes

Cara Delevingne Arrives in Double-Take-Worthy Fashion

"Don't apologize for whipping your head around to catch the back of Cara Delevingne's 2026 Met Gala dress. I certainly was stunned by the sheer open back—and the cascading lace train. Maybe we need a Madame Web reboot with her as the star?" —Halie LeSavage

Ashley Graham Delivers the First Naked Dress of the 2026 Met Gala

"The 2026 Met Gala red carpet only opened a half-hour ago, but it didn't take the naked dressing trend long to dominate it. Marie Claire cover star (and Vogue.com livestream host) Ashley Graham proved 'Fashion Is Art,' especially when your silhouette is the canvas. Graham's plunge gown from Di Petsa was sculpted from nude chiffon, featuring matching netting on top for extra dimension. Stylist Stella Greenspan ensured each side of the skirt curved up and around the supermodel's thighs, before the train turned increasingly more translucent. Still, her Gianvito Rossi shoes were almost invisible. Don't miss her metallic silver-dipped fingers, which suggested Graham went straight from the art studio to the Met Gala's staircase."—Meguire Hennes

Inside: Met Gala Red Carpet Fashion. Outside: Met Gala Protests

"The Met Gala red carpet is officially underway, and so is the pushback outside. Demonstrators just beyond the carpet are protesting Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez-Bezos with homemade signs critiquing Amazon (which Bezos infamously founded) and its workplace practices. While the co-sponsors will likely stop for a red carpet interview when they arrive, I'm not sure they'll address the pushback outside..." —Halie LeSavage

Emma Chamberlain Makes a Melting Fashion Statement on the 2026 Met Gala Red Carpet

"The Met Gala red carpet has barely started, and Emma Chamberlain is already on my short-list for the night's best dressed. I almost can't believe how her strapless gown mimics the effect of paints mixing on an easel—it looks like if I reached out and touched the skirt, I'd have paint on my hands. Trust that I'm running to track down the designer behind this as I type...and, voilà! She's wearing custom Mugler by Miguel Castro Freitas, styled by Jared Ellner." —Halie LeSavage

Media Warms Up the 2026 Met Gala Red Carpet

"Reporters and TV personalities warmed up the 2026 Met Gala, much like they did at the 2026 Oscars, the Actor Awards, the Grammys, and more. Extra host Mona Kosar Abdi set a semi-sheer tone for future 'Fashion Is Art' dressers in a skintight, stark-white gown crafted from transparent lace. Its only opaque elements? Beside her corset's peekaboo boning, matching, sculptural strands of white silk wrapped around Abdi's bodice and onto a carpet-grazing train.

"Opposite Abdi on the mossy-green carpet was Zuri Hall, dressed in a similarly cinched lace gown. Her ribboned corset leaned a touch more ivory and opaque than Abdi's. But the skirt became partially sheer before the hem's tiered lace ruffles added dimension and obscurity."—Meguire Hennes

'Marie Claire' Editors' Most Anticipated 2026 Met Gala Arrivals

“Every year I’m hopeful Taylor Swift will return to the Met Gala, and every year I’m disappointed when she decides to stay home. But there are dozens of other stars I’m excited to keep an eye out for. Teyana Taylor, fresh off an impressive awards season run where she topped every best-dressed list, is no doubt going to impress no matter who she’s wearing. We’ve also already mentioned it, but it’s worth repeating: Tonight’s gala is Beyoncé’s first in a decade. She’s going to shut down the carpet, no questions asked.” —Halie LeSavage

"I'm so excited for Zoë Kravitz (and her diamond engagement ring). I expect her piece will be more embellishments than actual fabric, perhaps in the same vein as her lingerie-exposing, 2021 Saint Laurent chainmail slip. Now that she—and creative director Anthony Vaccarello—are co-chairing the Host Committee, she’s all but required to respect the dress code. Tonight’s the night she’ll become Vaccarello’s blank canvas, whether she’s dressed in surrealist art or the nakedest number possible. Knowing Kravitz, her pick will still be unpredictable—much like her peekaboo butt panel at the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.” —Meguire Hennes

"If anyone is guaranteed to go the risqué route, it’s Sabrina Carpenter. She’ll also be representing short fashion girls on the red carpet—a body type that’s honored inside the 'Costume Art' gallery, too. Fresh off a two-weekend collaboration with Dior at Coachella, perhaps creative director Jonathan Anderson will bring her part-pin-up, part-Hollywood starlet style to life. If Carpenter takes a break from Dior, I could see her in a sheer, Old Hollywood gown from Valentino Spring 2026 Couture. This one shows enough skin to 'put the body back into discussions about art and fashion,' just as curator Andrew Bolton intended. It also matches the opulence of not only the Met Gala, but Carpenter at her core. —Meguire Hennes

What Else Can We Expect From 2026 Met Gala Red Carpet Fashion? Our Expert Predictions

“Well, my top 2026 Met Gala prediction had to do with Zendaya. We all know she loves an outfit change, so I anticipated a Shalom Harlowe-esque transformation atop the first set of stairs—down to the car-paint-spraying robots. That would’ve been a history-making “Fashion Is Art” moment. Alas, late last week, every Zendaya fan (myself included) shed a tear when word spread that she would skip a Met Gala red carpet dress. She’s having one of the biggest years of her career, so I’ll cut her some slack.” —Meguire Hennes

“As for the rest of the guest list, expect a widespread appreciation of anatomy. The exhibition itself spotlights Met-made mannequins from authentic, modern-day bodies, so why wouldn’t the red carpet reflect that? Prepare for pieces that cradle each A-lister’s silhouette, rather than bury it beneath fabric. On the off chance someone does debut a voluminous gown, it’ll likely be sculpted from see-through chiffon—think Vanessa Hudgens’s Moschino moment in 2022, or Elle Fanning in translucent Balmain in 2024. Remember: Tonight is about adoring the body inside the design, not the other way around.” —Meguire Hennes

“I completely agree with Meguire here—it’s going to be a big night for naked dresses. But I’m also hopeful that some guests—or at least, their stylists—will brush up on their art history and make some considered homages to paintings and sculptures included within the exhibit. How unexpected would it be to see Hailey Bieber channel one of Renoir’s dancers, or Tyla take on the draper of the Winged Victory of Samothrace?” —Halie LeSavage

It's Time! The First Met Gala 2026 Fashion Arrivals—and a Glimpse at the Red Carpet

"Any Met Gala aficionado knows one of the most exciting reveals happens before a single step-and-repeat. The carpet itself—and the press-blocking walls up each end—are dressed to the nines, too. Last year’s garnishes set a high bar for the 2026 Met Gala. For a quick refresher: A large portion of the 2025 staircase was covered in navy blue carpet, featuring daffodil embroidery on top. Then, the butter-yellow and orange flowers came to life in front of the press, which added tons of visual interest behind each celebrity—instead of just cameras and tuxedos." —Meguire Hennes

"From the first arrivals hitting my feed, it looks like the 2026 Met Gala red carpet isn't red at all. It's taking a similarly garden-inspired tack, with what look like moss-lined bricks and greenery lining the sides. I'm not sure how it quite relates to the 'Costume Art' exhibit yet, but I suspect the organizers will share some details when they arrive on the carpet in a little bit." —Halie LeSavage

What's Met Gala Fashion Without a Little Controversy?

"There are two more names associated with this year’s Met Gala who aren’t getting quite the same red-carpet welcome: Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez-Bezos. The pair—and the former Amazon CEO in particular—are lead co-sponsors for the event, a move that’s drawing backlash from all corners of the internet. Protest signs nodding to alleged workplace abuses at Amazon appeared across from the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday morning. Meanwhile, fashion commentators are bristling at Sánchez-Bezos’s eventual arrival on steps—a move that’s being seen as ‘buying’ her way into fashion’s inner circle." —Halie LeSavage

Even More Met Gala Red Carpet Fashion Names to Know: The 2026 Host Committee

"Wintour, Kidman, Williams, and Beyoncé will be supported by Saint Laurent creative director Anthony Vaccarello and Zoë Kravitz, the co-chairs of the Host Committee. The larger Host Committee stars Sabrina Carpenter, Teyana Taylor, Doja Cat, Gwendoline Christie, Misty Copeland, Lena Dunham, A’ja Wilson, and more. Besides Beyoncé, I’m especially keeping my eye out for Carpenter and Taylor, both of whom delivered some of my favorite 2025 Met Gala moments." —Meguire Hennes

The Met Gala Red Carpet Fashion Arrivals to Watch First? The Co-Chairs

"The 2026 co-chairs list might just be the Met Gala’s most iconic yet. Anna Wintour, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and (drum roll, please) Beyoncé will breathe life into the theme and dress code. Not only that, Queen Bey’s co-hosting gig will double as her return to the Met Gala after ten years. The last time she ascended this iconic carpet, it was in Givenchy’s latex, skin-colored take on the naked dress trend—before it was a fashion fixture." —Meguire Hennes

"Details about the Grammy winner’s 2026 Met Gala look have remained under lock and key in recent months. Last week, she styled a voluminous, 'Hold Up'-worthy gown from this year’s main fashion sponsor, Saint Laurent, though. Will she wear Saint Laurent tonight? All will be revealed soon enough. But knowing Beyonce, she’ll take her time getting to the red carpet—you know, to build anticipation. 'Of course, with Beyoncé, you’re never quite sure she’s going to turn up, but she knows her timing and she was certainly worth the wait,' Anna Wintour told Vogue, reflecting on her 2012 Givenchy gown." —Meguire Hennes

Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 Met Gala Red Carpet Dress Code

"If the Met Gala is a national holiday for you (same), you know one doesn’t just show up to fashion’s biggest night. VIPs started preparing for this five-minute step-and-repeat months ago—some as soon as the theme was announced last November. ‘The title ‘Costume Art’ refers to the history of the costume institute,’ said Costume Institute curator Andrew Bolton. That pertains to the exhibition inside the 12,000-square-foot Condé M. Nast Galleries. But, it’s still the backbone of the dress code." —Meguire Hennes

"The dress code is the blueprint for Met Gala guests. Follow it, and Anna Wintour might just nod in approval. Defy it, and well, it could be a conversation-starter, at least. To set up Hollywood’s elite for success, Vogue curated 56 runway looks that align with the ‘Fashion Is Art’ dress code—all of which could appear on the red carpet tonight. Shalom Harlowe’s Alexander McQueen performance art, Zendaya’s Tom Ford breastplate, and naked dresses from Maison Margiela and Dilara Findikoglu made the cut. Method, art-centric creations from Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, and Valentino’s archives were split into Rococo, Baroque, and Renaissance-era interpretations of 'Fashion Is Art,' too. As long as VIPs hone in on the body, either through a surrealistic or literal lens, they can make their ‘Fashion Is Art’ argument, no questions asked." —Meguire Hennes

Before the 2026 Met Gala Red Carpet Fashion Arrives, a Look Back at the GOATs

"Decades of fashion history have been made on the Met Gala steps, from early looks modeled by Cher to Diana, Princess of Wales, in her only appearance before her untimely death. There are so many moments to reminisce on before tonight’s event, I asked Marie Claire editors to pick their all-time favorites to get us up to speed before the 2026 edition. The Slack conversation was intense, but we landed on 19 looks that we know we’ll keep talking about next year (and the year after that). Which ones made our ranking of the best Met Gala red carpet looks of all time? I’ll give you a hint: Rihanna is definitely there—but not in her Pope costume." — Halie LeSavage

Peek Inside the 2026 Met Gala Exhibit: "Costume Art"

"Before the Met Gala red carpet opened, fashion insiders gathered within the museum to unveil a first-look at the official Costume Institute exhibit. Titled 'Costume Art,' it's an exploration of the relationship between bodies and the garments they dress in, in all forms of visual art.

"The exhibit is divided into two sections: Diversity in Bodily Being and Bodily Being in Its Universality. The first explores a range of body types, from those with disabilities to bodies experiencing pregnancy. The second dives deep into the anatomical body—and how it relates to aging and mortality. Both sections combine paintings and sculptures with runway pieces by the likes of Thom Browne, Dior, and more. From the photos alone, I know I'm already excited to go see the exhibit IRL when it opens to the public next week." —Halie LeSavage

So, How Can I Watch the 2026 Met Gala Red Carpet?

"The first Monday in May belongs to the 2026 Met Gala, which is already taking over the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Much like the Oscars and Golden Globes, guests can start arriving as early as 4 p.m. EST/1 p.m. PST. The early bird can still get a spot on best-dressed lists, after all. However, the Vogue.com official livestream—hosted by La La Anthony, Cara Delevingne, and Marie Claire cover star Ashley Graham—won’t kick off until 6 p.m. EST/3 p.m. EST.

"Don’t worry, you don’t have to wait for Vogue to start reviewing red carpet looks like Heidi Klum on Project Runway. My fellow Met super-fans (read: colleagues) are perched on our couches ready to react all night long. Plus, our deputy social director, Christina D'Ambrosio, has secured her spot on those iconic steps. Follow Marie Claire on Instagram and TikTok for the best view of the 2026 Met Gala and behind-the-scenes moments far from the watchful eye of Vogue." —Meguire Hennes

A Pre-Met Gala 2026 Red Carpet Vibe Check

“I live a few blocks away from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Before tonight’s coverage really got started, I thought I’d walk by the red carpet and scope out the set-up. Early in the morning, there was a buzz of activity: the sidewalks were more crowded than the average Monday, and I could hear crews setting up inside the white tent covering the carpet. (Alas, I couldn’t sneak a peek inside.) So far, no protestors, either—but it was still early.” —Halie LeSavage