In Brief Heidi Klum stole the show at the 2026 Met Gala with a marble statue costume, in line with the theme “Fashion is Art”. Her costume, created by Mike Marino, took five hours to be set up on the star. The special effects makeup artist is known for many of the former model’s Halloween costumes.
Taking the theme to heart, Heidi Klum, like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny, and Madonna, graced the steps of the most glamorous New York dinner on Tuesday, May 4th: the Met Gala. She appeared in a quirky costume, a specialty only the queen of disguises can pull off.
The former supermodel appeared before photographers dressed as a marble statue. Yes, the same kind of Greek or Roman sculptures you can find while wandering the halls of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as the event’s dress code was linked to its upcoming fashion exhibition.
Named “Costume Art”, the exhibition aims to explore the connection between clothing and the body in all its forms. Guests at the event were tasked with dressing according to the “Fashion is Art” theme. “Fashion is art, art is fashion: yes, yes, yes,” exclaimed Heidi Klum on the red carpet.
Her costume draws inspiration from two art pieces: “The Veiled Christ,” a marble sculpture by Giuseppe Sanmartino from 1753; and “The Veiled Vestal,” a masterful sculpture by Raffaele Monti, which he crafted by hand in 1846. “I’m all soft,” reassured Heidi Klum when questioned about the costume on the red carpet by Cara Delevigne and Ashley Graham. “But it’s a little warm.”
It was Mike Marino who created the latex ensemble affixed firmly to her face. The American makeup artist, known for painting the star’s hands and feet under the veil, is no stranger – responsible for most of Heidi Klum’s Halloween disguises.
Nominated three times for Oscars for his work on various films (including “The Batman,” where he transformed Colin Farrell into the Penguin), the makeup expert previously turned her into Medusa for the last “Heidiween.” Creating the custom outfit for the Met Gala took him nearly five hours.
Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Madonna… The conversation starter, Heidi Klum, was not the only standout. While Bad Bunny, like her, went heavy on makeup (as an old man), Beyoncé, Rihanna, Madonna, Sabrina Carpenter, and the entire Kardashian clan also graced the event in looks inspired by art history or the relationship with the body.
The stars gathered at the behest of fashion pope Anna Wintour, who, for the 2026 edition, also invited a controversial guest of honor: Jeff Bezos, announced as the main benefactor of the charitable dinner alongside his wife, Lauren Sánchez.
Although their presence sparked controversy leading up to the festivities (even triggering an unprecedented boycott call), the evening itself lacked any political message, unlike in previous years. From the outfits to the statements, absolutely nothing.
While a few protesters gathered near the museum, some holding giant cut-out letters with the message “Tax the Rich,” the billionaire close to Donald Trump carefully avoided photographers and the traditional step-and-repeat.
