On Monday, 4 May, many A-list celebrities lined up in striking outfits for what is widely regarded as the most iconic night in fashion, the Met Gala. This year's theme, Fashion is Art, invited attendees to blur the boundaries between couture and creativity, transforming the red (or this year a mossy white) carpet into a living gallery of bold statements and sculptural tailoring.
These five standout looks drew direct inspiration from iconic paintings and sculptures.
Kendall Jenner hit the theme perfectly when she arrived at the Met Gala in a gown inspired by an ancient Greek sculpture, designed by Zac Posen for GapStudio. The dress featured sculptural draping and a marble-like finish, which expressed the elegance of classical art while bringing it to life on the red carpet.
However, the moment sparked some criticism online, as her sister Kylie Jenner appeared in a look that explored a similar artistic concept. The resemblance led to speculation about whether the sisters had coordinated their outfits, and Kendall was later asked if they had got ready together.
Hunter Schafer rocks up the Met Gala with a richly embellished floral Prada gown, inspired by the 20th century Mäda Primavesi by Gustav Klimt.
The dress unfolds in layered detail, with a grey-blue pleated base dotted in tiny red blossoms that subtly peeks through, topped by a fitted white gown with short puff sleeves, which makes makes Schafer stand out as one of the best dressed during the night.
What continues to set this painting apart to this day is how it breaks with the conventions of its time. Klimt doesn't present a fragile child, but instead, Mäda appears strikingly present, almost self-assured in the way she occupies the space. It's precisely this sense of poise that resonates so strongly with Schafer's own take on fashion and persona in general.
It's also worth noting the striking resemblance between Mäda and Schafer. They look eerily alike, making the actress' choice even more fitting.
Heidi Klum drew everyone's eyes with the hyperrealistic custom look by Mike Marino inspired by Strazza's The Veiled Virgin.
The original 19th-century bust is renowned for its astonishing level of detail, and Heidi Klum's version fully embraced that idea, enveloping her face and body in layers that appeared almost unreal.
While this costume was one of the most eye-catching ones of the night, it didn't come without its problems. As Klum told Vogue, she was "a little warm" in the outfit. "It's a little on the toasty side. It's warm in Manhattan today," Klum added.
Trying to use the restroom in this outfit was basically impossible, too. In a TikTok clip wearing the dress, she joked, "Thinking about the fact that statues don't get bathroom breaks."
The Girls creator, who recently released her memoir Famesick, returned to the Met Gala red carpet for the first time since 2019 in a striking all-red Valentino ensemble designed by Alessandro Michele. The asymmetrical silk and sequined gown, finished with crow-like feathers, drew inspiration from a single detail in Judith Slaying Holofernes: the blood.
Speaking to Vogue, she explained that while she initially suggested the painting as a reference, Michele took the concept in an unexpected direction. Rather than focusing on Renaissance dress or weaponry, he became fascinated by the vivid blood spatter at Holofernes’ neck, turning that haunting detail into the emotional and visual anchor of the look.
This marked Angela Bassett’s second appearance at the Met Gala, and she once again delivered a memorable red carpet moment. She arrived in a radiant rosy pink gown by Prabal Gurung, richly detailed with floral appliqué and intricate beading from the hip down to the hem.
The ensemble paid homage to Laura Wheeler Waring, a key figure of the Harlem Renaissance, drawing inspiration from her painting Girl in a Pink Dress.
The reference not only aligned with this year's Fashion is Art theme, but also added another layer of meaning, as the original artwork is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art itself, which makes the look almost feel like a direct conversation with the institution hosting the event.
