Met Gala 2026: Kendall Jenner as a Modern Nike of Samothrace, Kylie Jenner Evokes Aphrodite of Milo

New York City once again hosted the dazzling Met Gala, a premier event dedicated to supporting the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. Known for its spectacular appearances and creative interpretations of themes, the gala remains a benchmark for international fashion and its artistic dimension. This year's theme, "Fashion is Art," granted attendees and designers complete freedom to creatively express the connection between fashion and aesthetic expression. The creations showcased on the red carpet highlighted the imagination and craftsmanship of fashion houses, reaffirming the intimate relationship between art and attire.

Simultaneously, the Metropolitan Museum of Art inaugurated its new exhibition, "Costume Art," which delves into fashion as a tangible art form. The Costume Institute's spring exhibition focuses on the "dressed body" as an artistic medium, presenting works spanning 5,000 years of art history. A central element of the exhibition's poster is the Nike of Samothrace, a choice that clearly influenced the guests' creations at the Met Gala. Many drew inspiration from sculpture, the nude form, and ancient Greek aesthetics, crafting looks that resembled living works of art.

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I took a white Gap T-shirt off in my studio and started pulling and manipulating it, trying to find how, in a modern way, in a glamorous way, I could interpret the sculpture that has influenced humanity and our modern culture.

Among the most notable appearances was Kendall Jenner, who collaborated with designer Zac Posen for a look inspired by the famous statue. Posen, creative director of Gap Inc., designed the GapStudio ensemble, drawing inspiration from the dynamic movement and drapery of the marble masterpiece housed in the Louvre. In a letter to Jenner, Posen expressed his belief that she was the ideal person to embody this creation. His approach centered on a contemporary element: Gap's classic white T-shirt, which served as the starting point for the design.

"I took a white Gap T-shirt off in my studio and started pulling and manipulating it, trying to find how, in a modern way, in a glamorous way, I could interpret the sculpture that has influenced humanity and our modern culture," the designer remarked. Jenner actively participated in the creative process, aiming to capture the sensation of flowing, wind-swept drapery through an exceptionally fine fabric. Posen selected a cotton-viscose blend, lending the outfit fluidity and luminosity, reminiscent of liquid marble. "We 3D printed Kendall's body and made a mannequin and her bust, which is the corset underneath," Posen explained, adding that the fabric was positioned to emphasize the sense of exposed décolletage, paying homage to the sculptural form of the Nike of Samothrace.

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We 3D printed Kendall's body and made a mannequin and her bust, which is the corset underneath.