The annual Met Gala returned to the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York this week, closing another closely watched red carpet with a clear sense of direction in both theme and execution. This year’s concept, “Costume Art,” set the tone for an evening that leaned heavily on structure, silhouette, and the expressive potential of the dressed body.

By the time guests had made their way inside, early impressions had already formed. According to Vogue, which released its best dressed selections shortly after, the standout looks were those that treated clothing less as adornment and more as statement. The accompanying dress code, “Fashion Is Art,” appeared to resonate with attendees who approached their ensembles with deliberate intent.

A recurring thread across the night was the emphasis on form—either sharply defined or intentionally obscured. Several garments echoed elements found in the Costume Institute’s new exhibition, where the relationship between body and fabric is placed at the center of the display. On the red carpet, that translated into pieces that reshaped the human outline or reinterpreted classical references.

Color also played a decisive role. A striking Yves Klein Blue surfaced repeatedly, worn by figures including Hailey Bieber and Tessa Thompson. Elsewhere, red in its various shades made a strong showing, from Lena Dunham to Colman Domingo, whose checkerboard styling drew particular attention.

There was also a noticeable return to classical inspiration. Grecian draping and sculptural lines appeared in multiple interpretations. Chase Infiniti arrived in a multicolored design by Thom Browne, referencing the Venus de Milo, while Ashley Graham wore a fluid, wet-look gown from Di Petsa that emphasized movement and texture.