See pics: K-Pop stars Lisa, Karina's Met Gala 2026 looks you can't miss

At the Met Gala 2026, Korean stars leaned into fashion as concept, not costume. Their looks marked a subtle shift — where heritage was embedded into design and how.

At the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 5 (IST), the Met Gala 2026 unfolded under the theme 'Fashion Is Art'. While the red carpet delivered its expected spectacle, a more defined shift came from East Asia, particularly Korean stars, who approached fashion not as costume, but as concept.

This year, heritage was not worn on the surface. It was built into the garment.

Karina’s Prada debut

For Karina, lead singer of Korean girl band 'Aespa', her Met Gala debut in custom Prada stood out for its precision. The white satin dress paired with a black cape was drawn from Prada’s own archive – embroideries from Spring 2017 and sleeves referencing Spring 2007 - and rooted in a cape conceived by Miuccia Prada.

Within that framework, the tablier neckline subtly referenced the hanbok, Korea’s traditional attire dating back to the Three Kingdoms period. The key was restraint. The reference remained structural, not decorative, no embroidery, no prints, just a shift in silhouette. In a theme that encouraged theatricality, Karina’s approach felt controlled. It positioned Korean identity within design, rather than on top of it.

EJAE: Placing Korean history alongside Western art

K-Pop Demon Hunters’ EJAE took a more conceptual route. Her look began with Venus, a familiar Western symbol of beauty. To balance it, her team introduced the gisaeng from the Joseon dynasty, women known for their artistic refinement in music, poetry and conversation.

She wore a silver gown from Swarovski. "EJAE’s look channeled the purity of crystal into a couture ensemble, blending neoclassical references with Korean craft tradition." read the brand's social media caption.

Instead of blending the two visually, the outfit worked through idea. Its sculptural finish nodded to classical Western art, while its foundation came from Korean cultural history. The result was straightforward: placing a Korean archetype on equal footing with a Western one, without turning either into costume.

Lisa, Ningning and the larger shift

The influence extended beyond individual looks.

Lisa’s role on the Met Gala Host Committee marked a structural shift that K-pop figures are now shaping the event, not just attending it. Alongside appearances by artists like Ningning, the message was clear: Korean stars are no longer peripheral to global fashion conversations. They are central to them.

The 2026 Met Gala also marked a milestone for BLACKPINK, with all four members—Jisoo, Jennie, Rose and Lisa—appearing together at fashion’s biggest night. Jisoo made her debut in a custom Dior gown with intricate, art-inspired embroidery, while Jennie continued her association with Chanel in a metallic-embroidered strapless look. Rose returned in Saint Laurent, opting for a pared-back black silhouette, and Lisa stood out in a sculptural white ensemble with experimental 3D elements.

Beyond Asian attendees, Indian craftsmanship also found presence amongst global stars. SZA’s gown incorporated saree remnants and hand-worked embroidery, bringing South Asian textile techniques into a broader, global design narrative. Rachel Zegler, meanwhile, leaned into art-inspired dressing through a Prabal Gurung ensemble, with draping and construction that echoed the fluidity often seen in Indian textiles. Camila Mendes wore a Manish Malhotra ensemble which had scarf details.

Indian representation was strong on the Met Gala carpet this year. Karan Johar marked his debut, joined by Jaipur’s royal duo Gauravi Kumari and Sawai Padmanabh Singh. Returning to the spotlight were regulars Isha Ambani, Natasha Poonawalla, and Manish Malhotra.

- Ends