Beyoncé and Blake Lively led a parade of stars at the 2026 Met Gala on Monday night in Manhattan. The evening, held under the theme 'Fashion is Art,' saw Beyoncé in a custom Olivier Rousteing look and Lively in a vintage Versace gown. Rihanna closed out the carpet as per tradition, arriving last in a jewel-bodiced gown with a silver cape.
The event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art marks the first Monday in May, an annual fixture in the fashion calendar. Despite the glamour, several attendees drew criticism for outfits that missed the theme or needed tailoring. Ashley Graham's sheer Di Petsa dress was noted as an underwhelming choice, while others wore suits requiring adjustments or dresses in unflattering colors.
Business Insider compiled a list of worst-dressed celebrities, highlighting outfits that were 'underwhelming' or 'out of place.' The publication noted that not every star understood the dress code, with some looks described as lacking technical polish. Kim Kardashian, among those named, wore an outfit that failed to impress critics.
The Met Gala serves as a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute and remains a key platform for celebrity branding. Stars who participated will now face public and critical scrutiny of their red-carpet choices, with social media likely to amplify both praise and backlash.
Style watchers suggested that future themes may need clearer guidance to avoid such mismatches, as the gap between artistic ambition and execution widened this year.