Every first Monday in May, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York rolls out the red carpet and pulls out all the stops for a star-studded fundraising gala that's anything but ordinary. Designed to mark the grand opening of the Costume Institute's spring exhibition, Costume Art, the dress code this year read: 'Fashion is Art'. And just like that, a roster of illustrious guests from the worlds of fashion, film, music and art took up the sartorial challenge and interpreted the broad theme in myriad ways.
The theme came to life on the Met steps, where there were plenty of memorable fashion-as-art looks to choose from. Adding a touch of theatricality, Chanel, Dior, Tiffany & Co. and other historic Bond Street brands used the moment to show their creativity to the world. Taking their cue from pivotal art movements - Cubism, Surrealism, Minimalism... as well as specific artworks, it’s safe to say that they excelled.
Gracie Abrams' shimmering Chanel gown was inspired by Klimt's masterpiece, The Lady in Gold. Alexa Chung opted for a chartreuse Dior gown by Jonathan Anderson, which took direct reference from Claude Monet's Water Lilies series. Looking to make a similar impact at the next garden party? Then you are in luck. Dior's leaf-green Bloom heeled slides from the s/s 2026 collection (£1,150) feature clover embroidered lambskin and are topped with a ladybird.
The power of red throughout art history, meanwhile, was celebrated in Nicole Kidman's custom sequined Chanel dress by Matthieu Blazy. And while her dress did all the talking, Kidman's light-reflective makeup erred on the subtle side of luminous. Achieve her glossy, natural look with Chanel's Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Colour (£43) in shade 196 -A Demi-Mot.
Other notable art-inspired looks could be seen on Katy Perry, who wore Stella McCartney. The look introduced a modern, sustainable perspective to the evening, and was topped with a custom-designed mask by costume designer Miodrag Guberinic. Staying with the abstract, Stella McCartney's Poplin Peplum Shirt Dress from the current ready-to-wear collection, £1,290, ticks all the right boxes with its sculptural hem line.
And let's not forget the heavily-guarded jewels. Actress Amanda Seyfried paired her pink Prada dress with a dazzling Tiffany & Co. necklace in 18-carat yellow gold and platinum, set with emerald-cut blue zircons, emeralds, and natural diamonds. For something a little less showy, but still enough to turn heads, the storied jeweller's 'Color by the Yard Necklace' (£7,450) is crafted from 18k yellow gold and set with two round brilliant diamonds and a round emerald.
But it was Emily Blunt who stole the show in a one-of-a-kind Mikimoto high jewellery body necklace, worn as a statement piece. Arranged by Hollywood stylist Jessica Paster, the necklace featured over 800 Akoya pearls, beginning with a structured diamond collar centred by a 21.85 carat pear-shaped morganite and surrounded by 45.97 carats of diamonds. From the neckline, multiple strands cascaded symmetrically across the body and arms, creating a sculptural and fluid silhouette.
“It was a lot of fun working with Jessica and deciding how we would interpret the theme this year," said Blunt. "When we saw this extraordinary creation from Mikimoto, we knew it was perfect; it feels like wearable art and captures the idea of jewellery becoming part of the garment,” she added. And with that, the actress may well have answered the ongoing question. Fashion can indeed be art.
For more red carpet inspiration, head to Bond Street, where exquisite jewellery and artful springtime looks to suit any special occasion are waiting to be discovered.