Kendall Jenner took the idea of a sculptured bust to a new level at the 2026 Met Gala.
The Kardashians star stepped out May 4 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York dressed to impress for the "Costume Art"-themed benefit, hosted this year by co-chairs Anna Wintour, Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman and Venus Williams.
For her 12th time attending the benefit, Kendall slipped into an elegantly draped nude gown hand-dyed in tea to create depth—courtesy of GapStudio by Zac Posen to fit the "Fashion Is Art" dress code—and styled to flash a flesh-colored nipple bra underneath. Which, for these purposes, started with a signature white Gap T-shirt, transformed through liquid jersey draped over a custom-molded leather bodice base.
Not to mention, the 30-year-old—who recently sparked romance rumors with Jacob Elordi—coordinated with Kylie Jenner's own nude nipple dress, by Schiaparelli. (See all the stars at the event here.)
After making her debut at the 2014 Met Gala—dressed in Topshop to celebrate the "Charles James: Beyond Fashion" event—Kendall has become a mainstay on the steps of the Met alongside sisters Kylie and Kim Kardashian, while Kourtney Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian have each only attended once.
For Kendall, the ball is a chance to play with her fashion, like in 2021 when she channeled Audrey Hepburn in honor of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" theme.
“She wore Givenchy in almost all of her movies,” Kendall told Vogue at the time of the late actress. “She’s the biggest legend; I’ve been obsessed with her my whole life.”
So, Givenchy took inspiration from a dress Audrey wore in the 1964 film My Fair Lady to make a new piece for Kendall, which took 2,500 hours and 30 beaders to complete.
However, the embroidered rhinestone train weighed a bit too much for the supermodel to handle.
“It’s going to be a challenge to walk in all night," she explained, "but we’re going to make it work—because it’s worth it."
Indeed, it all pays off to be able to experience the festivities inside the gala, where phones are famously off limits. Instead, guests enjoy a cocktail hour, perusing the Costume Exhibition and watching live performances.
"It’s absolutely girls night," Kendall told Emma Chamberlain while on the carpet in 2023, with Kylie asking the Vogue reporter, "Are you going to take a shot with me inside?"
"I'm taking a f--king shot with you inside," Emma said. "It's gonna be the best night ever."
To see who else wowed on the steps of the Met this year, read on...
Beyoncé
in custom Olivier Rousteing and Chopard jewelry.
Rihanna
in Maison Margiela with Briony Raymond, Glenn Spiro, Dyne, Fred Leighton and Desert diamond jewelry.
Kim Kardashian
in custom Allen Jones breastplate, Whitaker Malem skirt and Christian Louboutin shoes.
Bad Bunny
in custom Zara.
Cardi B
in Marc Jacobs.
Hailey Bieber
in custom Saint Laurent and Belperron jewelry.
Blake Lively
in Atelier Versace, Christian Louboutin shoes and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry.
Sabrina Carpenter
in Dior, Christian Louboutin shoes and Chopard jewelry.
Anne Hathaway
in Michael Kors.
Kylie Jenner
in custom Schiaparelli.
Katy Perry
in Stella McCartney.
Heidi Klum
in custom Mike Marino.
Connor Storrie
in Saint Laurent and Tiffany & Co. jewelry.
Gigi Hadid
in custom Miu Miu and Jessica McCormack jewelry.
Tessa Thompson
in Valentino, Pandora jewelry and Chillhouse nail polish.
Lisa
in Robert Wun and Bvlgari jewelry.
Teyana Taylor
in Tom Ford.
Blue Ivy Carter
in Balenciaga and Henry & Henry jewelry.
Kendall Jenner
in Gap Studio by Zac Posen and Buccellati jewelry.
Doja Cat
in Saint Laurent.
Charli XCX
in Saint Laurent.
Carey Mulligan
in Prada and Tiffany & Co. jewelry.
Margot Robbie
in Chanel.
Sunday Rose Kidman Urban & Nicole Kidman
in Dior (Kidman Urban) and Chanel (Kidman).
A$AP Rocky
in Chanel.
Emily Blunt
in Ashi Studio, Jimmy Choo shoes, Kurt Geiger bag and Mikimoto jewelry.
Cher
in Burberry.
Zoë Kravitz
in Saint Laurent.
Suki Waterhouse
in Michael Kors and Christian Louboutin shoes.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
in Thom Browne.