ICYMI: Dupattas were the fashion MVPs at Met Gala

At the Met Gala 2026, flowing dupatta-like drapes appeared across the red carpet and after-party looks.

Fashion took an artful edge at the Met Gala 2026 on May 4. From steel couture to handsy gowns to paintings on fabric, the Metropolitan Museum of Art witnessed what a relationship between the human body and fashion looks like. Amid all the structured gowns and conceptual tailoring, we could not miss out on the “dupatta styling.”

Let’s not even get into the ‘Scandinavian scarf debate’ yet. For now, let's just stick to fashion and how the flowing drape found its way onto the highgly anticipated fashion event.

It wasn’t always literal, nor always labelled as such, but the influence was unmistakable. From sheer, trailing fabrics to scarf-like accents styled over shoulders and arms, the dupatta emerged as a soft counterpoint to the night’s sharper silhouettes.

Hailey Bieber

The theme ‘Costume Art’ did have stylists predict some naked dressing and sculpted bodies. Hailey Bieber delivered the latter.

She donned a custom Saint Laurent dress with a sculpted bodice made with 24K gold, paired with a blue chiffon skirt. Additionally, a striking blue dupatta completed the look.

The look was inspired by Saint Laurent’s Autumn/Winter 1969 couture collection, where Yves Saint Laurent teamed up with French artist and sculptor Claude Lalanne to create two sculpted bodices.

Kendall Jenner

This year at the gala, Kendall Jenner turned muse to Zac Posen, the creative director of Gap Inc., for both the red carpet and the after-party.

For Saint Laurent’s after-party, she wore a sculpted bodice with faux nipples. Underneath, she wore a sheer skirt with an asymmetrical hemline. While some are calling it a “headscarf” — first worn like a veil and later draped around her neck — it could just as easily pass off as a dupatta.

Overall, even her second look was pretty much in sync with this year’s gala theme.

Her red carpet look drew inspiration from the Winged Victory of Samothrace, one of the most iconic sculptures in Western art. The gown took cues from traditional Grecian silhouettes, defined by fluid draping and a one-shoulder, gathered design.

Connor Storrie

The Met Gala atmosphere turned just a touch warmer as Heated Rivalry actor Connor Storrie made his debut on the carpet. And well, he too opted for dupatta-like drape for the after-party, and how.

Storrie suited up in a Saint Laurent blazer in a shade of brown over his bare torso. Looking sharp and charismatic, he pulled out a silky long sash in a rich chocolate brown tone from the brand that just accentuated the entire look.

Wrapped around his neck, the piece of garment was left flowing as he walked.

For the gala, he opted for a custom Saint Laurent look in a lavallire-style top in polka-dotted silk muslin. A lavallire top is a refined blouse or shirt defined by a long, flowing tie or bow that extends from the collar.

It was paired with high-waisted trousers and finished off with a sleek leather belt, Roman-style boots, and Tiffany & Co. jewellery.

Camila Mendes

All Riverdale fans hail! Your very own Veronica, Camila Mendes, walked down the Met Gala and the after-party in Indian craftsmanship. Courtesy: Manish Malhotra.

For the Met Gala, she was draped in a mahogany custom couture gown. The look drew inspiration from Amrita Sher-Gil’s paintings. The gown was structured on a corseted base, used hand-ruched French chiffon that cinched at the hip into a sculpted knot, flowing out into a soft, trailing silhouette.

To elevate her look, she accessorised it with tourmalines, uncut diamonds, and 18K gold high jewellery.

Mendes’s after-party look closely echoed her red carpet attire. It, too, featured fluid draping and a reddish, body-sculpting silhouette, with a ruched skirt gathered at the waist. Her sheer blouse was finished with a flowy fabric draped around the neck and trailing behind — a subtle yet striking nod to dupatta styling.

Apart from these, several other looks also had hints of fluid, flowy trails, cementing the idea of fluidity of art and fashion alike.

At a gala known for its drama, it was the effortless flow of fabric that stood out. Be it in a form of a saree or dupatta, or Scandanavian scarf – all of it just add some soft elegance.

- Ends