Rihanna closes 2026 Met Gala carpet in 115,000-jewel gown crafted over 1,380 hours

 NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Rihanna reaffirmed her position as one of the most anticipated arrivals at the Met Gala 2026, making a striking appearance in a shimmering sculptural gown by Maison Margiela Couture, designed by Glenn Martens.

The custom creation, complemented by an Art Deco-style headpiece, drew inspiration from the label’s Artisanal 2025 collection. The ensemble aligned seamlessly with the evening’s theme, ‘Costume Art,’ and its accompanying dress code, ‘Fashion is Art,’ reflecting the interplay between fashion and artistic expression.

Rihanna’s sculptural gown at Met Gala 2026

Drawing from the label’s collection, the ensemble featured a draped column silhouette inspired by the medieval architecture of Flanders in Belgium, reflecting Glenn Martens’ heritage. Styled by Jahleel Weaver, the look conveyed a refined balance of glamour, structure, and theatricality.

The metallic ensemble included a heavily embellished bodice paired with a voluminous sculptural outer layer, giving it an almost armor-like presence. The gown, sculpted by hand, was crafted from duchess-woven silk and incorporated recycled metal threads typically used in computer wiring.

The corseted bodice featured over 115,000 crystal beads, antique jewels, and chains, with the embroidery alone requiring 1,380 hours to complete. Embracing the spirit of the event, the look leaned into fashion as sculpture, with its textured surface, metallic detailing, and exaggerated form standing out on the red carpet.

Rihanna was also joined by Rapper A$AP Rocky, who complemented her appearance in custom Chanel by Matthieu Blazy. He wore a wool pink robe with black satin lapels and piping details, embellished with a black silk and feather camelia, paired with black trousers and a white cotton shirt.

His look required 194 hours to create and was finished with Chanel High Jewelry pieces. Together, the couple brought their signature blend of style and presence to the event.

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky’s enduring Met Gala legacy

The couple have become synonymous with memorable Met Gala appearances, often arriving late, a tradition they have made their own. At the 2025 Met Gala, themed “Superfine,” Rihanna revealed her third pregnancy in custom Marc Jacobs, while Rocky, a co-chair that year, wore custom AWGE inspired by Harlem style.

In 2023, the couple arrived at 10 PM, with Rihanna in custom Valentino and Rocky in a Gucci kilt. Over the years, She has cemented her reputation as one of the Met Gala’s most iconic attendees. Her 2015 appearance in Guo Pei remains one of the most celebrated moments in the event’s history.

The canary-yellow gown with a massive fur-trimmed cape became a global talking point and inspired widespread cultural reactions. She later remarked on the difficulty of walking in the gown but expressed that it was entirely worth it.

Her legacy also includes standout looks such as the Comme des Garçons ensemble in 2017 and her Pope-inspired Maison Margiela outfit in 2018. These appearances have consistently contributed to the evolving narrative of fashion at the Met Gala.

As curator Andrew Bolton explained, “it will be transformative for our department, but I also think it's going to be transformative to fashion more generally — the fact that an art museum like The Met is actually giving a central location to fashion.”

He added that the exhibition will address “the centrality of the dressed body in the museum's vast collection,” pairing garments with artworks spanning 5,000 years to examine the relationship between clothing and the body, and situating fashion within an art museum context.