Vera Wang, 76, Stuns at 2026 Met Gala in Custom Black Gown — Photos

At 76, one of fashion's most iconic designers proved she still knows how to make an entrance and spark a debate.

Vera Wang attended the 2026 Met Gala on May 4 in New York City, where the annual celebration returned with the theme "Costume Art" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She arrived on the cream carpet in a look so stripped-down and deliberate that people couldn't look away.

She Dressed for the Theme, Literally

Naturally, she wore custom Vera Wang HAUTE for the occasion. The outfit consisted of a custom black gown made from Italian double-faced georgette. It featured asymmetrical, hand-draped details reminiscent of a toga, which hung from a distinctive Rudi Gernreich choker neckline.

She paired the garment with a sculpted, armored sleeve made of black Italian wool crepe and a coordinating bandeau bra. The choker neckline honors the famous Spring/Summer 1970 collection by Austrian-American designer Rudi Gernreich, which the Metropolitan Museum of Art now holds in its permanent archives.

Wang completed the look with her signature long, straight platinum blonde hair, worn loose as she made her way down the carpet.

The Internet Had Thoughts

The look was bold by any measure, and the internet made its feelings known quickly. On Facebook, one commenter wrote, "She's wearing a BandAid [sic]." Another asked, "Would we say this is appropriate for a 76 yr old [sic]?"

A third wasn't buying the construction of the look at all, joking, "I think you forgot to sew on the rest of the dress 🙈." One person echoed, "It looks like a censor stripe," while another simply asked, "Where is rest of her gown [sic]?"

The bandage comparisons continued on a separate Facebook thread. One commenter questioned, "Is that a bandaid?" while another echoed, "She's wearing a black bandaid." A third went in a different direction entirely, writing, "Looks like a tablecloth."

Whether fans loved Vera Wang's look or questioned it, one thing is clear: nobody ignored it. And the same could be said about a few other celebrities.

Sarah Paulson

The actress wore a custom gray tulle gown by Matières Fécales, pairing it with white opera gloves and Boucheron jewelry. The standout accessory was a blindfold designed to resemble a $1 bill. A closer look revealed tiny perforations in the fabric, allowing her limited visibility while wearing it.

Her outfit stirred up online talk. One viewer explained Paulson's look, "She's blinded by money." Another leaned into the symbolism, adding, "MONEY BLINDS.... Seems like a powerful statement." Someone else took a more sarcastic route, suggesting, "... so she doesn't have to look at her dress."

Frustration with the broader theme also crept in, with one comment reading, "The 'costumes' were horrible this year. They should just have a Halloween party instead of a gala. Where is the glam? Class? Couture?" Still, admiration for the actress remained intact for some, as one fan noted, "I do love her 💕BUT not this dress 🤯."

Stevie Nicks

Nicks stepped out in a custom Zara creation designed by John Galliano. The gown blended black and midnight blue tones and featured a dramatic crinoline shape.

An overlay skirt detailed with appliqué roses made from tulle and chiffon added depth, while a silk taffeta and velvet jacket, along with feathered accents, completed the ensemble.

Nicks, on the other hand, drew near-universal praise. One admirer celebrated her consistency, "Stevie always knows how to look just right! Gorgeous!" Another person highlighted her timeless appeal with, "You don't get more classic than this."

A more poetic reaction described her look as, "That is total beauty, class, perfection & Stevie's Romantic Rock vibes," while someone else summed it up simply with, "She's a legend, and the best dressed overall ❤️❤️❤️."

Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, embraced transformation by presenting an aged version of himself. The look tied into the Costume Institute's 2026 exhibition theme, particularly its focus on the aging body.

His hyper-realistic prosthetics were meticulously crafted by makeup artist Mike Marino, who hand-sculpted features like wrinkles and sun spots after discussing how time might shape the artist's appearance.

Benito paired the look with a custom black tuxedo he co-designed with Zara, finishing it off with an oversized pussy bow, a cane, and a classic timepiece to reinforce the concept.

The rapper's outfit and appearance sparked a mix of admiration and humor. One fan took an artistic view, saying, "Fashion is art. Art is also life. Aging is a form of art." Others focused on his enduring appeal, with one noting, "Oh, he's still gonna look good when he gets old 😍😍😍."

A playful nickname emerged in the comments as someone wrote, "Dad Bunny." Not everyone was convinced, though, as another joked, "He thought it was a Halloween party. 🤦🏾‍♀️."

Ashley Graham

The actress wore a nude mesh gown designed to mimic the texture of serpent scales through its draped construction. She elevated the look with striking silver chrome-dipped hands, a nod to the artists whose craftsmanship fills the museum. The piece was created by Greek designer Dimitra Petsa of Di Petsa.

Graham's look brought both praise and criticism. One fan admired her overall appearance but suggested a tweak, "She looks gorgeous, my opinion is it should have been another color!" Another fan echoed the sentiment with, "She is stunning, I am NOT a fan of this dress, however."

A harsher comment read, "Just order a bigger size that you can fit into," while others pushed back strongly, with one saying, "She is beautiful. Doesn't look like a straw. She looks like a real woman." Support for her representation also stood out, as one fan shared, "She represents us curvy women so well!!!"

Jordan Roth

For his eighth Met Gala appearance, Roth treated the iconic museum steps as another opportunity to push creative boundaries. The theater producer and performer wore a custom design by London-based couturier Robert Wun.

The outfit was a slate gray velvet gown elevated by a sculptural extension attached to his back, adding a theatrical edge to the look.

Roth's outfit left many doing double takes. One person admitted, "Ok, not gonna lie, if that was a Halloween costume, it'd be super dope lol." Another fan pointed out a shared reaction, "Glad I'm not the only 1 that instantly thought it looked like a person 'possessed.'"

The comparisons got even more surreal with a netizen saying, "Looks like a parasitical twin," and another chiming in, "Looks like a creature from a sci-fi movie."

Gwendoline Christie

The actress embraced the theme in a bold red gown by Giles Deacon. The design featured layered chiffon, satin, and organza in rich tones, drawing inspiration from artists John Singer Sargent and Ira Cohen.

Gwendoline Christie carried a mirror mask crafted by Turner Prize-winning artist Gillian Wearing. It was designed as a detailed replica of her face and meant to blur the line between concealment and self-expression.

A dramatic feathered headpiece by Stephen Jones, using dyed ostrich and pheasant plumes, added height and texture, while custom Herbert Levine pumps in a surreal color palette completed the look.

Christie's look sparked curiosity and praise in equal measure. One confused viewer asked, "Who is this?" while another gave her full credit for embracing the theme, stating, "The only one who understood the theme."

High praise followed with a fan penning, "Best look of the night," and a softer note came through in the comment, "She looks so romantic love."

Lena Dunham

The actress opted for a striking red gown adorned with beads and feathers, inspired by the blood imagery in Artemisia Gentileschi's Judith Slaying Holofernes. The asymmetrical design featured an open back and a thigh-high slit, revealing red and gold Valentino Rockstud pumps.

She paired the outfit with a bold beauty choice, including bleached-style eyebrows and a relaxed updo that kept attention on the intricacy of the dress.

Dunham's outfit triggered some of the most vivid imagery. One comment compared her look outright, "She looks like a red-feathered Big Bird!" Another person imagined the design process, "The designer kept adding feathers until it covered her face 🤣."

A more minimal description read, "A red sequin barrel." Timing and competition came into play with a commenter saying, "Picked the wrong dress cuz here comes Nicole Kidman."

One longer reflection offered a different perspective, "She's a New Yorker. New Yorkers have a great wit and a self-deprecating sense of humor. That is what differentiates New York sensibility, and it pervades all her work, especially her memoirs and her recent show. I think the costume, too, is just that, another self-effacing joke."

Olivia Wilde

The actress wore a custom Thom Browne creation that played with contrast. From the front, it appeared as a simple black off-the-shoulder column gown.

However, the back revealed a dramatic twist — a structured leather cage-like detail extending from her lower back, from which a flowing white tulle train emerged.

Styled by Karla Welch, the look aligned with the event's artistic theme. Wilde kept her styling minimal, skipping jewelry and wearing her hair in loose waves. She had on understated makeup featuring winged eyeliner and a touch of shimmer.

Olivia Wilde's outfit also became a talking point. One viewer questioned the styling choice, "The bustle supposed to go under the dress, not on the outside!" Another leaned into the visual comparison with, "It's giving centaur vibes."

Practical concerns appeared, too, as someone wondered, "How does one sit while wearing that?" The mythical comparisons continued with, "It reminds me of half horse and half human."