At The 2026 Met Gala, The "Costume Art" Theme Called For Feathers

Team Coveteur clocked feathers as a trend back at the 2026 Oscars in March when Teyana Taylor, Demi Moore, and Nicole Kidman all walked the red carpet embracing the trend to different degrees. So, it's not entirely surprising that they're showing up on the Met Gala carpet, too. The theme is "Costume Art" this year, and the dress code is fashion as art, so we've been preparing for texturally intriguing looks that add dimension and a bit of fun without fear of a little drama.

It all began with none other than the woman of the hour, Anna Wintour, arrived in a turquoise and black Chanel gown. The look consisted of a feathery jacket—primarily turquoise with black trim—and an embroidered gown that, to me, is reminiscent of a little shards of sea glass pieced together.

Soon after, Met Gala committee member Nicole Kidman also stepped out in a feathery Chanel look that brought the drama to the carpet. She wore a long-sleeved, red sequined gown with feather details at the waist and cuffs.

Kidman wasn't the only one to get the red feather and sequin memo—Lena Dunham opted for a slightly more dramatic look. Her Valentino dress consisted of countless sequins and a dramatic, voluminous feather trim reminiscent of a boa.

Naomi Osaka's Robert Wun look utilized feathers more sparingly. Her nearly-entirely white look—a dress with long sleeves, broad shoulders, and distinct pleats, plus a dramatic, wavy hat—was contrasted by red feathers poking out of small cut-outs.

Sam Smith's Christian Cowan perhaps used feathers the most sparingly of all—but it didn't make the look any less dramatic. Their 52-pound dress coat brought enough drama and artistry on its own, but the tall feather sitting atop their headpiece completed the look.