Fashion from the Met Gala 2026: Lively wanted attention, Seyfried opted for tearful makeup, Garcia drew a naked body on her dress
The Met Gala once again brought an evening full of extravagance, luxury, and fashion missteps. This year's theme was "Fashion Is Art," so celebrities competed over who could transform fashion into a work of art. While some celebrities enchanted with perfect elegance and boldness, others caused more bewilderment with their outfits. Who shone as a fashion icon this year, and who overdid it on the red carpet?
Móda proti proudu
Názor PROTI PROUDU: Denisa Zajíčková
Blake Lively: Princess of Versailles or Over-the-Top Drama?
When Blake Lively appeared on the steps of the Met Gala, it was clear that all eyes would be on her once again. This year, the actress chose an archival Atelier Versace gown from 2006 with a massive thirteen-meter train and pastel shades inspired by Venetian Rococo art. The train alone took up nearly half of the steps and immediately divided the internet into two camps. At first glance, the actress looked like a fairy tale princess. The corset perfectly sculpted her figure, the delicate embellishments were luxurious, and the overall look had the exact Hollywood effect expected from the Met Gala. Blake once again confirmed that she is one of the women who can wear the "old Hollywood" style with complete ease. It's no surprise that she instantly appeared in the rankings of the best-dressed stars of the evening.
However, not everyone was thrilled. Some critics argue that Blake has been wearing essentially the same silhouette for several years. Large princess skirts, dramatic trains aimed at creating the impression of a prom queen. It's as if she's playing it safe and becoming predictable. Additionally, her behavior on the red carpet was also discussed on social media, when a video appeared supposedly showing her bossing around assistants regarding the train.
Her personal life also played into the entire evening. Foreign media reminded that she arrived at the Met Gala shortly after settling a highly publicized dispute with Justin Baldoni, and some commentators labeled her return more as a big PR gesture rather than a purely fashion moment. It can be said that although she didn’t surprise on the red carpet, she once again demonstrated that she knows what works. It's no coincidence that she wore one of the gowns that the whole world was talking about. Whatever the intention was, no one can deny that Blake knows how to steal the spotlight on the red carpet.
Devyn Garcia: The Naked Illusion That Worked Better Than Most Real Nudity
Model Devyn Garcia made her debut at the Met Gala this year and definitely stood out. In a custom gown by Michael Kors, she immediately became one of the most talked-about women of the evening. And no wonder. Her dress created the optical illusion of a naked body without appearing cheap or vulgar.
The shimmering flowing gown was adorned with crystals and, thanks to a special trompe l’oeil effect, a French expression for optical illusion, the dress followed the curves of the body so perfectly that at first glance it appeared almost like a second skin. This is exactly what the Met Gala sought this year. Fashion as art and the human body as a part of the whole presentation. Devyn was one of the few stars who truly understood the theme. A big plus was that the outfit wasn’t overshadowed by over-the-top styling. She kept her hair natural, makeup minimalistic, and overall looked very relaxed. Her look wasn't just a straightforward "naked gown," but a sophisticated illusion with high tailoring.
On the other hand, simplicity might be an issue for some people. Among giant trains, dramatic costumes, and theatrical gowns, it seemed too understated for some. Opinions surfaced on social media stating that without an explanation of the concept, the dress looked like just another variation on the "naked dress" trend that celebrities have been showcasing for several seasons in a row. However, Devyn Garcia demonstrated that a sexy outfit doesn't have to appear cheap. It was smart, elegant, and perfectly aligned with the evening's theme. And even though she didn't create as much spectacle around herself as other stars, her strength lay precisely in that. This time, it wasn't the biggest train that won, but the detail.
Anok Yai: A Living Statue That Outshone Half the Evening
Model Anok Yai once again proved why the fashion world considers her one of the most striking faces of the present day. She arrived at this year's Met Gala in a dramatic couture gown by Mugler, transforming her into a literal futuristic goddess. Fashion critics were raving. The shiny metallic corset, perfectly shaped silhouette, and almost liquid-appearing material looked like something between fashion and an art installation. While some celebrities appeared as if they mistook the Met Gala for a carnival, Anok Yai demonstrated that extravagance can be both elegant and sensual.
Styling played a major role as well. Short sleek hair, dramatic makeup, and minimal jewelry allowed the dress itself to stand out. The outfit wasn't over-the-top, yet it was striking. On social media, there were even comments that Anok stole this year's Met Gala for herself, leaving nothing for the others.
Not everyone was without reservations, though. Some fashion commentators pointed out that Anok has been relying on a similar futuristic glamour style for several seasons now and is beginning to repeat herself. There were also opinions that the outfit seemed more like a red carpet look for a sci-fi premiere than an interpretation of this year's theme. However, the criticism was drowned out by the flood of admiration, and Anok Yai was exactly what the Met Gala needs. Bold, dramatic, perfectly styled, and precisely for that, she was among the absolute queens of the evening.
Serena Williams and Fashion Chaos
Tennis player Serena Williams certainly didn't come to blend in at this year's Met Gala. The sports legend wore a dramatic silver gown with an asymmetrical cut, bold ruffling, and a high slit that revealed her perfectly toned legs. The entire look was complemented by golden straps wrapped around her calves, making her appear almost like a futuristic gladiator. At first glance, it was clear that Serena wasn't aiming for safe elegance this time. The shiny material resembling liquid metal, dramatic train, and strikingly styled silhouette made her one of the most standout women of the evening. Serena finally stepped out of her comfort zone and showcased an outfit with real impact.
Some fashion critics, however, noted that the dress seemed overdone and the combination of the metallic effect, ruffles, and straps around the legs was simply too much. There were also opinions that the top part of Serena's gown unnecessarily broadens her figure, making the silhouette appear less harmonious. Nevertheless, Serena took more risks this year than most celebrities on the red carpet. And even if her outfit may not have been perfectly sleek, this is exactly what the Met Gala should look like. Bold, theatrical, and a bit crazy.
Názor PROTI PROUDU: Anděla Vostrá
Amanda Seyfried: A Romantic Princess or a Missed Opportunity?
This year at the Met Gala, actress Amanda Seyfried played it safe. She stepped onto the red carpet in a pink Prada gown with a corset bodice, a dramatic train, and large ruffles, transforming her into a modern Barbie princess. The luxurious impression was enhanced by an oversized aquamarine gem from Tiffany's, which was among the most striking accessories of the evening. At first glance, Amanda looked stunning. The soft pink suited her, and her makeup was elegant, though some thought it appeared "tearful" at times. Who knows what Amanda's true intention was. Did she want to draw attention? Or to hide? While other stars took risks this year, working with the theme Fashion Is Art, Seyfried remained overly grounded. Many international media outlets labeled her outfit as beautiful but dull.
The harsher criticism was mainly aimed at the dress's cut. According to fashion commentators, the dropped waist appeared shapeless, and the stiff corset didn't quite match with the voluminous skirt. Cosmopolitan magazine even wrote that the dress looked more like a "Met Gala Barbie" than a true fashion moment of the evening. People on social media reacted similarly. On Reddit, opinions were repeated that the dress itself is pretty, but completely off-theme for the Met Gala. Others criticized the trend of the dropped waist, claiming it distorts the figure. Amanda definitely wasn't among the worst-dressed stars of the evening. However, at an event where extravagance, boldness, and a fashion shock are expected, she appeared too safe. Beautiful? Yes. Unforgettable? Unfortunately not this time.
Tate McRae as a Golden Goddess Without Fear
Singer Tate McRae made her Met Gala debut this year, and it was clear she wanted to be unforgettable. She arrived on the red carpet in a golden gown by Ludovic de Saint Sernin, inspired by the richly adorned ship of French King Louis XIV. The result? A corset, lace, dramatic mermaid silhouette, and the impression of an ancient goddess. At first glance, it was exactly the type of outfit the Met Gala needs. Luxurious, theatrical, and pleasing to the ever-present photographers. The golden lace beautifully hugged her figure, the bold corset accentuated her waist, and the train added a fairytale effect to the entire ensemble. This year, Tate finally showed that she's no longer just "another pop star," but is also beginning to build a strong fashion identity.
However, the internet was, as always, divided. Some people argued that the outfit seemed more like a variation on the now overused "naked dress" trend that celebrities sport at almost every major event. There were also comments that Tate still doesn't fully understand what the Met Gala requires and that her look was sexy but too safe for such an extravagant evening. The corset itself also sparked mixed reactions. It looked stunning in photos, but much like her recent gown at the Billboard Women in Music event, it was apparently so tight that it was almost impossible to function normally in it. The singer herself has previously admitted that she can barely sit in similar outfits.
Cautious Bride Georgina Rodríguez
Georgina Rodríguez transformed into a mysterious bride at the Met Gala. The light blue satin gown with a striking corset perfectly accentuated her curves, while the long tulle veil with floral lace added an almost fairy-tale touch to the entire look. A cross hanging from the waist also added a slightly controversial and dramatic detail to the outfit.
At first glance, Cristiano Ronaldo's partner looked stunning. The soft pastel color suited her, the silhouette was elegant, and the whole had a luxurious Hollywood effect. However, the veil divided fashion fans into two camps. While some spoke of a modern goddess, others claimed that Georgina looked more like a bride on her way to the altar rather than a guest at the biggest fashion event of the year. The corset was too tight, and it was evident that it was not easy for Georgina to move in it. On the other hand, Met Gala is not about comfort, and as Blair Waldorf from the series Gossip Girl once said, one must sacrifice for fashion. Georgina certainly did, although she received jokes on social media that she resembled an underwear advertisement combined with a dramatic costume from a Netflix blockbuster. She wanted to make an impression, and she succeeded. But there were also prettier gowns.
Jordan Roth Staged the Biggest Drama of the Evening
When producer and fashion visionary Jordan Roth arrives at the Met Gala, it's clear it won't just be an ordinary outfit. This year, he appeared in a dramatic ensemble that resembled more a living art installation than a classic gown. The oversized structure, layered fabrics, and theatrical silhouette made him one of the most photographed personalities of the evening. His look was extravagant, excessive, and almost surreal. The exact type of fashion you either love or absolutely don't understand. And that’s precisely why international fashion websites wrote about him as one of the few guests who truly understood the essence of the Met Gala. It’s not just about beautiful clothes, but about a show.
The presentation itself also played a big role. Jordan Roth didn't walk the red carpet like a typical celebrity. He posed almost theatrically, worked with fabrics, and turned every movement into a performance. Some guests next to him might have even seemed a bit dull. Of course, there were also critics. Some people argued that the whole thing resembled more of a costume for avant-garde theater than fashion that can actually be worn. Others joked that Jordan competes primarily with himself each year to see who can bring the most chaos to the Met Gala steps. While he might not be someone you'd want to meet in a similar outfit at a casual party, it's thanks to people like him that this event still reminds us of a fashion fantasy. Not just a showcase of the current collection from fashion houses.
