[LIVE UPDATES] Global Stars Interpret 'Costume Art' Theme At 2026 Met Gala

The global fashion industry’s biggest night is underway at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where celebrities, designers, and cultural icons are stepping onto the iconic steps for the 2026 Met Gala.

Held on Monday, May 4, 2026, Eastern Time (ET), in New York (Tuesday, May 5, 2026, WAT), this year’s event centres on the theme “Costume Art,” which aligns with the Costume Institute’s spring exhibition exploring the “dressed body” across 5,000 years of art history, from classical sculpture to contemporary fashion.

The accompanying dress code, “Fashion Is Art,” has inspired bold, sculptural, and highly interpretive looks dominating the red carpet.

The event is co-chaired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour, with Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos serving as honorary co-chairs.

For viewers across Nigeria and Africa, attention is on African designers, diaspora stars, and social media reactions, with past appearances by Tems and Burna Boy fueling expectations for continued African influence on global fashion.

10:00 PM – 10:45 PM | Early Arrivals Set the Tone

The red carpet opens with a wave of models and rising stars embracing the theme through flowing fabrics, feathered textures, and sculptural silhouettes.

Ayo Edebiri appears in ethereal drapery, evoking classical Greco-Roman statues. Olympic star Eileen Gu opts for a futuristic Iris Van Herpen look, blending technology and art.

Early fashion signals a clear trend: movement, structure, and “living artwork” interpretations.

11:00 PM – 12:00 AM | Power Looks and Statement Fashion

The carpet gathers momentum with high-profile arrivals and striking artistic expressions.

Blake Lively turns heads in a multi-toned gown inspired by painted canvases, incorporating personal artwork.

Kim Kardashian debuts a body-moulded metallic look, pushing the boundary between sculpture and fashion.

Doechii delivers a conceptual ensemble with performance-art elements.

The “body as canvas” concept becomes more pronounced as celebrities lean into storytelling through fashion.

12:15 AM – 1:00 AM | Co-Chairs Command The Carpet

The arrival of co-chairs marks one of the night’s defining moments.

Beyoncé makes a highly anticipated return after a decade, accompanied by Jay-Z and Blue Ivy Carter.

She stuns in a diamond-encrusted, ribcage-inspired gown, symbolising the body as armour.

The family’s appearance becomes an instant highlight of the night. Nicole Kidman arrives in a refined, elegant look with flowing blonde styling. Venus Williams blends athletic grace with couture sophistication.

Anna Wintour maintains her signature poise in a feathered Chanel ensemble.

1:15 AM – 2:15 AM | Drama, Icons, and High Fashion Peaks

The carpet reaches peak theatricality with dramatic entrances and bold fashion risks.

Madonna delivers a “shipwreck-inspired” gothic look, complete with a flowing train and headpiece.

Cher makes a surprise return, blending leather and tulle.

Teyana Taylor embraces movement with fringe-heavy design.

Sabrina Carpenter and Doja Cat bring youthful, experimental energy.

Designs at this stage lean heavily into performance art, illusion, and historical reinterpretation.

2:30 AM – 3:30 AM | Late Arrivals

As expected, the final arrivals deliver maximum impact.

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky arrive fashionably late, effectively shutting down the carpet.

Rihanna stuns in gunmetal couture, reportedly inspired by her Caribbean roots.

Rocky complements her in a bold, layered ensemble.

Their entrance once again reinforces their status as the Met Gala’s ultimate closing act.

Following the red carpet, guests proceed into the museum for:

Private viewing of the Costume Institute exhibition

It is a strict no-phone policy, preserving the event’s exclusivity. The gala continues to serve as a major fundraiser, often generating over $30 million annually for the Costume Institute.

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