Beyoncé made a high-profile return to the Met Gala on Monday, joining a host of global stars for the annual fundraiser at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, per bbc.com.
Chaired by Anna Wintour alongside co-chairs Nicole Kidman and Venus Williams, the 2026 event centred on a “costume art” theme, challenging guests to blend lavish fashion with whimsical, art-inspired designs.
The evening commenced with a theatrical performance by Broadway’s Joshua Henry, who sang on the museum’s iconic steps, redesigned to resemble a lush garden. The gala, which supports the museum’s Costume Institute, saw celebrities directly referencing famous artworks. Lauren Sánchez Bezos donned a Schiaparelli gown inspired by John Singer Sargent’s Madame X, while Hunter Schafer wore a Prada ensemble evoking the work of Gustav Klimt.
Beyoncé, attending for the first time in 10 years, wore an embellished skeleton gown with a feathered cape by Olivier Rousteing. She appeared with her husband, Jay-Z, and 14-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy.
Continuing a long-standing tradition, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky were the final guests to arrive, with Rihanna wearing a jewel-encrusted Maison Margiela gown.
The event featured several historic milestones and unconventional creative choices.
Activist Aaron Rose Philip became the first wheelchair user to attend the gala, describing the moment as a landmark for disability representation.
Meanwhile, supermodel Heidi Klum and singer Bad Bunny utilised prosthetic make-up and sculptural garments to transform into living statues and aged characters.
Traditional fashion houses maintained a strong presence, with Chanel dressing co-chair Nicole Kidman and Vogue’s Anna Wintour. Indian designer Manish Malhotra also made a significant impact, contributing an ornate cape that reportedly required 960 hours of craftsmanship by 50 artisans to complete.
The Met Gala serves as the primary funding source for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York. Under the leadership of Anna Wintour since 1995, the event has evolved from a local charitable dinner into a global cultural phenomenon that dictates annual trends in the fashion and art industries.
