As the countdown to the Met Gala 2026 begins, the theme “Costume Art,” curated by Andrew Bolton, signals a shift – away from spectacle for spectacle’s sake, and towards something more intentional. In that context, 2025 doesn’t feel like a closed chapter – it feels like a reference point. With Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, last year’s red carpet demanded more than aesthetic – it demanded perspective. The looks revealed a spectrum: some stayed close to the brief, others pushed beyond it. But the ones that made the most impact were those that effortlessly belonged to the person wearing them.
Here are the looks we still can’t stop thinking about.
Shah Rukh Khan in Sabyasachi
Last year was all about letting individuality do the heavy lifting, and Shah Rukh Khan’s long-awaited debut felt perfectly fitting – a global phenomenon stepping into a moment that was always his. In a custom Sabyasachi Mukherjee, he brought his signature charm to a floor-length black coat crafted in Tasmanian wool, layered over an open silk shirt and tailored trousers. A pleated satin kamarbandh served as a sharp finishing touch, complemented by jewellery from Sabyasachi – layered talismanic chains, a crystal-studded ‘K’ pendant, and a diamond star brooch at the lapel – coming together in a look that commanded the room, just as he always does.
Zendaya In Louis Vuitton
Working with her long-time stylist Law Roach, Zendaya chose a custom Louis Vuitton design by Pharrell Williams for her Met Gala 2025 look. The all-white ensemble brought together a vest, a tie, and a sharply tailored jacket. The defined waist was complemented by softly flared trousers – a nod to the zoot suit. The wide-brimmed hat was a striking addition, enhancing the cool factor that has now become her signature. Finished with Bulgari jewellery and bright red nails, it added just enough sparkle to an otherwise restrained silhouette.
Diljit Dosanjh in Prabal Gurung
For his Met Gala debut, Diljit Dosanjh made a statement that was both personal and rooted in heritage. In a custom Prabal Gurung look styled by Abhilasha Devnani, he wore an ivory-and-gold sherwani paired with a tehmat and a cape intricately embroidered with the map of Punjab and its 35-letter alphabet. A jewel-studded turban and layers of diamonds – evoking Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala – added regal depth, while a lion-headed kirpan, reimagined as a dandy’s cane, transformed the ensemble into a striking expression of identity.
Priyanka Chopra in Balmain
Priyanka Chopra made her fifth red carpet appearance last year with husband Nick Jonas, wearing custom Balmain by Olivier Rousteing – a white polka-dot halter gown, cinched at the waist and layered with a sharply tailored blazer. The look, conceptualised by stylist Mimi Cuttrell, felt closely aligned to the theme, without tipping into excess. The wide-brimmed hat and gloves leaned into dandyism with a captivating old-world charm. The Bvlgari 241-carat emerald necklace was the undeniable focal point, anchoring everything in modern opulence.
Kendall Jenner in Torishéju Dumi
Kendall Jenner pulled off one of her most unexpected Met Gala moments in 2025, trading big-name fashion houses for independent designer Torishéju Dumi. Known for her high-glam red carpet history, this felt like a shift, and a meaningful one at that. Inspired by Gladys Bentley and rooted in female dandyism, the sharply tailored skirt suit – with its cinched blazer top, plunging neckline and long train – embraced precision perfectly. Her fresh, minimal glam and multi-tiered diamond necklace complemented the ensemble, making it an instant conversation starter.
Emma Chamberlain in Courrèges
The viral YouTube sensation turned fashion icon, Emma Chamberlain, has never been one to play it safe. As a familiar face on Vogue’s red carpet livestream, playing dress-up is practically her second nature. For 2025, she interpreted the theme through a custom Courrèges look by Nicolas Di Felice – a backless pinstripe gown with an asymmetrical cut and slit that revealed one side of her waist and her entire back. Styled with sheer opera gloves, maroon nails peeking through, and silver-framed glasses, the look appeared strategically tailored with an off-duty edge that is uniquely her own.
Bad Bunny in Prada
Bad Bunny brought an effortless edge to the Met steps in a custom Prada suit, styled with embellished gloves, an oversized bowling bag, and sleek sunglasses. The standout detail was a custom pava – a traditional Puerto Rican straw hat – a nod to his roots, often echoed in his Grammy-winning music. It was where identity met style, seamlessly, and entirely on his own terms.
Rihanna in Marc Jacobs
The final arrival of the night, Rihanna showed up in custom Marc Jacobs, going for sharp tailoring that is as commanding as her persona. She sported a cropped wool jacket layered over a structured bustier, paired with a pinstripe skirt detailed with a sculptural bustle. A polka-dot satin cravat introduced a playful contrast, while ankle chain pumps and a statement hat, created with milliner Stephen Jones, completed the look. And in true Rihanna fashion, it became one of the defining moments of Met 2025, lingering long after the carpet had cleared.
As anticipation builds for the Met Gala 2026, the conversation inevitably turns to what endures – looks that people keep coming back to long after the night ends. Beyond the spectacle, it’s never only about who you are wearing on the red carpet, but who you are beyond it. And on fashion’s biggest night out, nothing lands quite like being yourself.
