This year’s theme, “Costume Art”, raised the stakes further, with guests leaning into sculpture, painting, and wearable art to bring the theme to life.
By Abioye Damilare Samson
It’s been a few days since the Met Gala 2026, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York under the theme “Costume Art”, a concept that once again positioned fashion’s biggest night as a meeting point between clothing, culture, and spectacle.
As always, the annual fundraiser drew some of the world’s most recognisable celebrities to the Met steps, each arriving with looks designed to spark conversation and command attention. The Met Gala has long been known for its conceptual themes that ask guests to interpret fashion beyond fabric and silhouette. Last year’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”, saw guests arrive in looks that explored 300 years of Black dandyism. This year’s theme, “Costume Art”, raised the stakes further, with guests leaning into sculpture, painting, and wearable art to bring the theme to life.
And as expected, the night delivered its usual share of spectacle. African celebrities were firmly part of that conversation. From Ayok Nai’s sculptural “Black Madonna” Balenciaga gown to Tyla’s striking ensemble, the continent’s presence was visible, intentional, and unmissable. Below are some of the standout African looks from the 2026 Met Gala.
Tyla
In a custom Valentino gown designed by Alessandro Michele, South African Afro-Pop star Tyla delivered a refined exploration of fashion’s relationship with the human form.
The heavily beaded bodice, encrusted with shimmering crystals, traced and celebrated the contours of her torso, allowing the natural lines of her body to remain visible and expressive. Long embellished sleeves extended the sculptural effect, while the vibrant turquoise satin skirt, cut with a high slit, introduced a sense of fluidity and movement to the look, showing that Tyla understands how to balance theatrical fashion with elegance.
Damson Idris
At the Met Gala 2025, Damson Idris made what was perhaps one of the night’s most unforgettable entrances, arriving in a full Formula 1 race suit complete with a helmet and race car. For this year’s edition, however, the British-Nigerian actor opted for a look that leaned into sharp styling.
The outfit featured a voluminous black leather coat draped over a deep crimson ensemble, elevated with subtle gold accessories. With finely braided cornrows and a cleanly shaped beard, Damson completed the look with a polished edge that made the ensemble feel intentional and effortlessly commanding.
Adut Akech
As far as the Met Gala is concerned, Adut Akech has become one of the event’s most familiar and commanding presences. Year after year, the South Sudanese model continues to deliver memorable fashion moments, and this year was no exception.
In a custom Thom Browne creation, she presented a striking and deeply intimate interpretation of the theme, using fashion to celebrate the body in one of its most transformative phases: pregnancy. The black sheer netted gown wrapped around her silhouette with intricate lace-like textures and delicate floral embellishments that gently framed her baby bump. More than just a red carpet look, the ensemble is a tender tribute to motherhood and new life.
Wisdom Kaye
One thing Wisdom Kaye certainly knows how to do is command attention with his daring approach to fashion. After making his Met Gala debut in 2024 in a one-of-one all-red Robert Wun ensemble marked by charred, singed detailing, Kaye returned to the 2026 edition with another look that leaned heavily into experimentation and storytelling. This time, he appeared in a custom Public School ensemble that showcases futuristic tailoring.
Built around a sharply tailored double-breasted suit, the outfit was elevated with a metallic belt, black gloves threaded with metal wiring, and a tie and brooch that reinforced the look’s industrial aesthetic. More significantly, the ensemble stood as a thoughtful exercise in sustainable fashion. Public School founders Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne crafted the outfit entirely from upcycled vintage garments and accessories, creating a layered, multi-era statement that felt forward-looking on the Met Gala carpet.
Anok Yai
Anok Yai has continued to elevate her Met Gala presence since first attending in 2019. For the 2026 edition, the South Sudanese supermodel arrived in a striking custom Balenciaga gown designed by Pierpaolo Piccioli, delivering one of the evening’s most sculptural interpretations of the theme.
Crafted from black silk taffeta, the gown featured a dramatic mermaid silhouette alongside an oversized hooded collar so expansive it created what could best be described as a negative visual space around her face. In photographs, the structure transformed her head and upper body into something resembling a freestanding sculpted bust.
She completed the monochrome look with black opera-length gloves and a diamond drop necklace, while Carlos Nazario’s styling added a polished editorial finish to the ensemble. More importantly, the look aligned seamlessly with the night’s “Costume Art” theme, treating the body as a living sculpture shaped through fabric, form, and illusion.
Skepta
In a bold graphic jacket custom-designed by Thom Browne, Skepta delivered a striking interpretation of the night’s “Costume Art” theme, turning fashion into a moving archive of personal identity and cultural symbolism.
The structured white jacket functioned as a wearable canvas, layered with intricate black ink-style illustrations inspired by Skepta’s own tattoos. The designs ranged from soaring eagles and symbolic motifs to recognisable London landmarks such as Tower Bridge. Text elements, including “BOY BETTER KNOW” and “GOOD GREATNESS EVIL”, introduced deeper personal and cultural references, rooting the ensemble firmly within Skepta’s artistic identity and creative legacy.
Tailored with sharp precision around the torso and shoulders, the ensemble’s balanced structure with storytelling allows the artwork to move fluidly with the body. Paired with a crisp white shirt, black tie, and dark sunglasses, the look maintained a clean, commanding silhouette while reinforcing Skepta’s signature blend of elegance and self-definition.
Ayo Edebiri
Ayo Edebiri embraced understated elegance in an ethereal white Chanel gown designed by Matthieu Blazy. The flowing ensemble featured a strapless bodice enveloped in sheer, airy fabric that cascaded around her in soft, sweeping layers, lending the look a light, dreamlike presence.
Along one shoulder, feathered detailing emerged from suspended straps, introducing texture and a subtle sense of drama to the otherwise minimal silhouette. She finished the look with coordinated white heels and understated diamond jewellery, allowing the gown’s craftsmanship and fluid structure to take centre stage.
Abioye Damilare Samson is a music journalist and culture writer focused on the African entertainment industry. His works have appeared in Afrocritik, Republic NG, NATIVE Mag, Newlines Magazine, The Nollywood Reporter, Culture Custodian, 49th Street, and more. Connect with him on Twitter and IG: @Dreyschronicle