The Top 9ine of the Met
Last night, the Fashion Olympics were held, and I am here to offer my unsolicited opinions about the top nine looks of the night, plus a few honorable mentions. The theme of this gala was “Costume Art,” highlighting the relationship between bodies, fashion, and their capacity to be considered and treated as art, just as if they were pieces in a museum. I ranked the outfits based on how I would feel interacting with them in a museum, so let’s begin.
Yu-Chi Lyra Kuo (referencing): The reference was spot on, and it was phenomenal to see. The structure of the gown is so appealing, and she looks quite literally angelic. It is truly statuesque. She is wearing Jean Paul Gaultier.
Kendall Jenner looked wonderful in her outfit; its reference to Roman sculpture was a delightful touch. Designed by Zac Posen, she wore a gown representing the original white Gap tee, meant to resemble marble. It is lovely and simply executed—simplicity always wins.
Following Kendall, we have her sister Kylie wearing Schiaparelli, whose nod to the Venus de Milo earns her the seventh spot on the list. Her gown has a paper-doll quality: you can see the body, and the dress appears to be “falling” off, almost as if it were being put onto a statue. It blends the art world and the fashion world together seamlessly.
Sabrina Carpenter earned her spot with a look that is unlike the others on the carpet. She wore a dress made out of film by the one and only Jonathan Anderson ( Creative Director of Dior ), and it looks fabulous. As costume art, it is wonderful because most of Sabrina’s work references film, so this subtle nod to the 1954 film Sabrina was marvelous. It’s all in the details for me.
The queen returns to the Met after ten years… and what a return. I truly loved Beyoncé’s look, and that’s saying something even with all bias aside. She earned her spot as a phenomenal showstopper. She is a force. Her relationship with Olivier Rousteing never disappoints; it was wonderful to see the designer return after his departure from Balmain. I do feel the undergarments could have been better prepared, because they take some points away from the look as a whole. Nonetheless, it was still a showstopping look, and so wonderful to see her back on the carpet.
The one and only male who made my list is none other than Jeremy Pope himself. He looks amazing in this archival Vivienne Westwood piece from the 1996 Fall/Winter collection, styled by the one and only Law Roach. I feel this look encapsulates the theme effortlessly and makes him stand out.
This look was so wonderful to me, truly a standout. Her name is Sabine Getty, and although this was my first time seeing her, I’m certain it won’t be the last. The look treated the body like a canvas, with the second skin painted on in a way that made the form stand out beautifully. I thought it was executed flawlessly. A chic and simple look can go a long way, and this proved that. The craftsmanship was stunning, and it fit the theme seamlessly.
Another standout was Emma Chamberlain, who continues to push her fashion forward at every Met. Her ability to stay on theme should be studied. As a longtime admirer of Vincent van Gogh, this look immediately stood out to me as one of the most profound of the night. The reference was clear, and the gown draped beautifully, making her appear like a walking painting.
For the 2026 Met Gala, she wore a custom Mugler gown designed by Miguel Castro Freitas, hand-painted by Anna Deller-Yee, and styled by Jared Ellner.
This was a solid placement, and there was no denying it. Yseult delivered a look unlike anything else on the carpet and completely dominated the moment. It stood out immediately. The concept felt intentional and fully realized, perfectly aligning with a Met that celebrates all bodies and reinforces the idea of fashion as art.
Referencing the Venus of Willendorf, a fertility figure dating back to around 30,000 BC, the look was both powerful and culturally resonant. Styled by KJ Moody and designed by Harris Reed, it was executed with clarity and confidence.
It’s safe to say the Met had a clear winner. What a pull from art history.
Here are the honorable mentions!
Cardi B
Wisdom Kaye
Janelle Monae
Teyanna Taylor
Anok Yai
Thank you for tuning in, my dear readers. I hope you enjoyed my ranking. Feel free to comment or share your opinions @jairnirel
Ciao!
