The wet-looking dress was inspired by serpent skin
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Credit: Julian Hamilton/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Ashley Graham had to be hand-sewn into her 2026 Met Gala gown
- The model wore a wet-looking ensemble by Greek designer Dimitra Petsa of Di Petsa
- Graham is hosting the Vogue livestream alongside Cara Delevingne at the star-studded event
Ashley Graham is committed to her 2026 Met Gala look.
The model and Vogue livestream host, 38, appeared at the event on Monday, May 4 in a wet-looking gown by Greek designer Dimitra Petsa of Di Petsa. Per Vogue, the look was inspired by serpent skin and constructed with nude mesh and a draping technique that creates the illusion of serpent scales.
Because the clingy gown was designed to look like Graham's second skin, the star was hand-sewn into the ensemble.
Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
Catch all the minute-by-minute fashion updates from the 2026 Met Gala red carpet right here!
She topped the look off with silver chrome-dipped hands. According to Vogue, she's wearing "an homage to the artists who have tirelessly devoted their lives and hands to create the beautiful sculptures inside the museum tonight."
The occasion marks the first time one of Petsa's creation is worn at the Met Gala.
“I have always admired Ashley for her intellect and her beauty, and it has been a dream to dress her for such an important moment,” the designer told Vogue.
In November 2025, Vogue announced the theme of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's spring 2026 exhibition. This year's theme of "Costume Art" marks the inauguration of the Institute's first permanent galleries at the museum.
The nearly 12,000-square-foot Condé M. Nast Galleries will sit adjacent to The Met’s Great Hall, and its opening indicates “a huge moment for the Costume Institute,” shared curator in charge Andrew Bolton.
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“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 continued.
Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams and Anna Wintour serve as the co-chairs for this year's sartorial soirée.