Met Gala musings

With a dress code such as ‘Fashion is Art’, this year’s Met Gala is begging us to consider the boundaries of fashion. The Metropolitan Museum of Art declared its Costume Institute’s spring 2026 exhibition way back in November as ‘Costume art’. Separated into a series of body types, objects in ‘Costume Art’ vary from the ‘Naked Body’ and the ‘Classical Body’ to the ‘Pregnant Body’ and the ‘Aging body’.

Motifs used by fashion designers reflected the dress code in thought-provoking ways. ‘Naked dressing’ was an intensely popular theme, as were Grecian-inspired outfits, and looks inspired by art pieces. Women’s outfits in particular delved into what fashion has historically meant for the female form.

Some attendees chose to lean into animalistic and divine forms of the body

Some attendees chose to lean into animalistic and divine forms of the body; feathers were a popular motif of the evening. Alex Costani wore jet-black, crow-like feathers as a skirt, giving her a sombre look. Yu-Chi Lyra Kuo was at the other end of the scale, incorporating white wings into her dress, which was inspired by the sculpture ‘Winged Victory of Samothrace’, representing Nike, the goddess of victory. Finally, Beyoncé’s look consisted of a bejewelled skeleton accessorised with a voluminous feathered cape; her look oozed with power.

Hands were also a common theme in the looks created. Léna Mahfouf wore metallic hands sculpted around her breasts and Nichapat Suphap had two pairs of silver hands wrapped around her black gown. Both designs have possessive undertones, serving as a stark reminder that women’s bodies have often been viewed as objects to be owned.

Sabrina Carpenter also wore a noteworthy gown, paying homage to Audrey Hepburn’s 1954 film Sabrina. Take a closer look and you will see that the dress is made up of shiny film strips, gathered at the hip in a bow-like fashion, as though she is a present to be unwrapped.

Fashion is beauty – but also armour

Meanwhile, Kylie Jenner leaned into an undressed-dressed look. Wearing an outfit designed by Schiaparelli, she donned a nude bodice with a white, unlaced dress serving as her skirt. Hairstylist Iggy Rosales spoke about the way the dress moved, telling Vogue that “it becomes this living sculpture in motion”. Taking over 11,000 hours to complete the embroidery alone, the designers were certainly committed to Kylie’s look. Interestingly, the nude bodice has nipples on the breasts, serving as an ode to the layers of a woman’s body. It asks the question: what is a woman expected to show as opposed keep hidden, and why?

Finally, there were a few looks on the carpet which suggested that fashion is beauty – but also armour. Kim Kardashian’s look was modelled off Allen Jones’s 2013 photograph Body Armour – a sculptural series which presents the female form as a high-gloss shell, modelled on Kate Moss. In its strive for perfection, the body becomes nearly robotic. Ultimately, it sends the message that imperfections are part of our humanity and taking them away might cost us.

The Met Gala’s theme this year is particularly thought-provoking. From suggesting that fashion is literally modelled after art to statement pieces about the restraints of fashion and beauty standards, these outfits are a lot more meaningful than they first appear. My personal favourite has to go to Léna Mahfouz – the outfit is genius in its simplicity. What was yours?