New York -- The 2026 Met Gala, held on May 5 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, once again showcased the intersection of fashion and art under the theme "Fashion Is Art." Among the evening's highlights was actor Hudson Williams' bold appearance in a powder blue Balenciaga suit paired with striking red-and-blue eye makeup, which drew both praise from fans and criticism from online detractors who described the look as "messy." The event, co-chaired by celebrities and influencers, featured elaborate designs inspired by sculptures, paintings, and historical motifs, but Williams' glam became a focal point of debate in the hours following the red carpet.
Hudson Williams, known for his role in the series Heated Rivalry, told Vogue during the event that the makeup was a deliberate nod to cinema. "The makeup was inspired by Black Swan because me and my groomer Aika love that movie," he said. "We wanted to reference cinema and we kind of wanted to do the White Swan becoming the Black Swan a little bit." This artistic choice aligned with the gala's dress code, emphasizing fashion as a form of expression akin to visual art.
The backlash emerged quickly on social media platforms, with some users questioning the cohesion of the eye makeup against Williams' suit. In response, his longtime groomer, Aika Flores, addressed the critics on Threads the following day, May 6. "It's all part of growth," she wrote. "Taking a risk always comes at a cost, & I stand by that. There's always room to evolve, no matter where I am in my career." Flores, who has worked with high-profile clients including Joe Jonas and Alex Warren, emphasized a balanced approach to feedback.
Flores further urged empathy in online discourse, stating, "While everyone is entitled to an opinion, it’s important to remember there's a human with feelings behind the work, building something with purpose, vision, & heart. It cost [sic] nothing to be kind." Her message resonated amid the often harsh commentary that accompanies high-visibility events like the Met Gala, where attendees face immediate public scrutiny. In a follow-up post, she added, "Please be kind to each other. *logging off."
Williams himself defended the look enthusiastically, telling Vogue in a separate interview at the gala, “Aika killed it.” He elaborated on their collaborative style evolution, saying, “We’re creating more, staying fluid, never really locking in. We like masculinity and femininity in everything we do. This [makeup]? We’re just going crazy, having fun.” This fluid approach reflects Williams' growing presence in Hollywood, where he balances acting with experimental fashion choices that challenge traditional norms.
The Met Gala, an annual fundraiser for the Costume Institute, drew a star-studded crowd this year, with co-chair Serena Williams setting a tone of athletic elegance in a Swarovski crystal mesh gown paired with a statement necklace inspired by the Wimbledon plate. As one of the event's co-chairs, the tennis superstar "aced the assignment," according to observers, by blending sport heritage with the artistic theme. The evening's proceeds support the institute's exhibitions, including a body-centric display that influenced several outfits.
Other attendees embraced the theme with equally audacious designs. The "Manchild" singer appeared in a Dior dress adorned with celluloid film strips from the Audrey Hepburn movie Sabrina, completed with Christian Louboutin heels, paying homage to cinema's visual legacy. Similarly, the "Work" singer shone in a Maison Margiela creation featuring over 115,000 crystal beads, antique jewels, and artistic baubles, evoking a diamond-like radiance that captivated photographers on the red carpet.
A YouTuber stepped out as if emerging from an oil painting in a custom Mugler design, while a Grammy winner honored the human form with an Olivier Rousteing ensemble embellished to mimic the skeletal system. The star of Devil Wears Prada 2 embodied the theme in a Michael Kors gown with hand-painted designs by artist Peter McGough, diverging from her film's Prada association but staying true to the artistic directive.
Williams wasn't the only one turning heads with bold silhouettes. He himself heated up the carpet in a Saint Laurent ensemble featuring a polka-dot halter top that cascaded into a flowing train, though his earlier Balenciaga suit and makeup remained the talk of the town. The rapper who wore a Saint Laurent silicone dress explained to Vogue that it was inspired by "the way fabric draped over the body of a Grecian statue," highlighting classical influences in contemporary fashion.
The Kardashians star enlisted British pop artist Allen Jones to craft a fiberglass breastplate, directly interpreting the "Fashion Is Art" code through collaborative artistry. Meanwhile, the Euphoria star channeled Gustav Klimt's 1912 painting Mäda Primavesi in a Prada look, with her manicurist Emi Kudo layering six different colors of DND Gel polishes—pale, paper-y nudes with blues, whites, yellows, and grays—to match the artwork's palette.
Sculptural elements dominated, as seen in the Rhode Skin founder's Saint Laurent dress with a bodice sculpted from 24-karat gold, drawing from ancient forms. The actress from Michael wore a custom DiPetsa gown inspired by Italian sculptors' techniques for chiseling stone to resemble draped fabrics. The rapper known as Fashion Killa donned a pink wool robe with black satin lapels and matching piping, custom-designed by Chanel, blending streetwear edge with high couture.
The "Water" singer amplified the heat in a skin-baring custom Valentino gown, nodding to the Costume Institute's body-focused exhibit. Her hairstylist, Yusef Williams, shared with E! News that he aimed for a "very ethereal, like an art sculpture" vibe. "To achieve the look, I used the Wavytalk Steam Sesh to smooth out the roots of her hair before going in and defining the curls with the Cool Curl Pencil," he explained in a statement, "and I used the Turblow Pro with the diffuser at the end to lock everything in."
An actress paid tribute to the famed "Venus de Milo" sculpture in a Thom Browne dress adorned with over 1.5 million colorful sequins, winning accolades for its meticulous craftsmanship. The KPop Demon Hunters star tapped into her Korean heritage with a Swarovski look inspired by female courtesans of the Joseon dynasty. “These women were artists," she told Vogue, "the most culturally refined figures of their time, in music, poetry, and conversation."
Keke Palmer, star of Nope, looked like a million bucks—literally—in a red-hot Prabal Gurung number with matching Christian Louboutin heels and a Wempe necklace valued at exactly one million dollars. Hairstylist Ashanti Lation styled her scarlet hair using Creme of Nature products, adding to the ensemble's vibrant appeal. The "Close to You" singer's Chanel gown celebrated Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss, adorned in gold much like the painting itself.
The mixed reactions to Williams' look underscore the Met Gala's role as a cultural lightning rod, where innovation often sparks division. While Flores' call for kindness highlights the human element behind the glamour, the event's broader success lies in its ability to fuse celebrity, art, and philanthropy. As the Costume Institute prepares for future exhibits, the 2026 gala's looks are already influencing trends, with designers and stylists drawing from its sculptural and painterly inspirations. Organizers reported raising millions for the institute, ensuring continued support for fashion's archival and educational efforts.