You’ll Never Guess Where SZA Found Fabric for Her Met Gala Look

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Who says you can’t be thrifty at the Met Gala? Just ask SZA.

Surprisingly, the beautiful, gold dress she wore on May 4th was made entirely from fabric purchased on eBay.

Designer Emily Adams Bode Aujla told Vogue that they collaborated with a vintage dealer to find more than a hundred yards of yellow fabric in different textures, including tulle, taffeta, silk faille, and lace with beadwork.

I was so excited to see what Emily came up with for this year’s ‘Costume Art’ theme, especially with the ‘Fashion is Art’ dress code! She really delivered by drawing inspiration from the Wiener Werkstätte – it’s this amazing pre-war design group from Vienna that focused on incredible craftsmanship and designs inspired by nature. It was a perfect fit!

Emily shared that Viennese artists frequently decorated their workspaces with fresh flowers, a practice she felt mirrored SZA’s free-spirited nature and appreciation for the outdoors. SZA’s fondness for moths, butterflies, and insects, combined with her travels and fascination with certain gods and goddesses, greatly influenced the overall aesthetic.

That’s why SZA wore a floral headpiece and wings shaped like butterflies – they became visible when she lifted her arms.

SZA (born Solána Imani Rowe) recently visited India, and that trip inspired the visual style of her work, including some South Asian influences.

The designer described incorporating floral designs cut from leftover sari fabric into their work. These pieces were beautifully combined with vintage rhinestones and cabochons sourced from Europe, quartz beads from New York, and silk wings hand-painted in their own studio.

SZA’s stunning gown wasn’t the only memorable outfit at the Met Gala made with unique materials. Sabrina Carpenter’s Dior dress, for example, was adorned with pieces of actual film from Audrey Hepburn’s classic movie, Sabrina.

Sabrina’s outfit, created by stylist Jared Ellner, was a stunning look featuring detailed beading, a sheer black skirt with a high slit, and a dazzling jeweled headpiece worn with her blonde hair styled in classic Hollywood waves. She previously shared with Vogue that she likes to have a completely different style each year.

Other celebrities also made a splash! Keep reading for all the best fashion moments from the 2026 Met Gala…

The singer, known as “Manchild,” followed the “Fashion Is Art” theme by wearing a Dior dress decorated with celluloid film strips from the classic movie Sabrina. She finished the outfit with Christian Louboutin heels.

Rihanna, known for her hit song “Work,” stunned in a Maison Margiela outfit covered in over 115,000 crystals, vintage jewels, and unique embellishments.

The YouTuber looked like she had just stepped out of an oil painting in this custom Mugler design.

The Grammy-winning artist celebrated the human form with a stunning gown by Olivier Rousteing, designed to look like a skeleton.

Though she wasn’t wearing Prada, the actress from Devil Wears Prada 2 still perfectly captured the “Fashion Is Art” theme. She wore a stunning Michael Kors gown uniquely decorated with hand-painted designs created by artist Peter McGough.

The star of Heated Rivalry turned heads on the red carpet wearing a Saint Laurent outfit, including a polka-dot halter top with a long, flowing train.

Oh my gosh, did you SEE Serena at the Met Gala?! As one of the co-chairs, she absolutely nailed it! Seriously, the theme was ‘Costume Art,’ and she didn’t just get it, she became it. That dress… a shimmering, incredible mesh of Swarovski crystals! And the necklace? Inspired by the Wimbledon plate! It was a total tennis moment, so clever and so her. I’m still obsessed, honestly. She understood the assignment, and then some!

The rapper explained to Vogue that her silicone dress from Saint Laurent was designed to look like the flowing fabric on a classical Greek statue.

Following the event’s “Fashion is Art” theme, Kardashian worked with British artist Allen Jones to create a custom breastplate for her, made of fiberglass.

The actress from Euphoria looked like she stepped straight out of Gustav Klimt’s 1912 painting “Mäda Primavesi” with her Prada outfit.

Rhode Skin founder Hailey Bieber’s Saint Laurent dress took inspiration from sculptures and featured a bodice crafted from 24-karat gold, giving it a uniquely shaped and luxurious look.

The singer of “Water” turned up the heat in a revealing, custom-made Valentino dress, a choice that celebrated the Costume Institute’s exhibition focused on the body.

Hairstylist Yusef Williams explained to TopMob News that he wanted her look to be soft and artistic, almost like a sculpture.

To create the style, I first used the Wavytalk Steam Sesh to straighten her roots. Then, I defined her curls with the Cool Curl Pencil, and finished by using the Turblow Pro with the diffuser to hold everything in place.

The rapper certainly lived up to the ‘Fashion Killa’ title, appearing in a custom Chanel pink wool robe featuring black satin details.

The gown worn by the actress, Michael, was custom-made by DiPetsa and designed to look like the flowing fabrics often seen in Italian sculptures. The design was inspired by how sculptors create that effect in stone.

Keke Palmer, the star of Nope, absolutely stunned in a vibrant red Prabal Gurung outfit, complete with matching accessories. And get this – the Wempe necklace she wore was worth a cool million dollars!

As a style expert, I was so excited to see the star of KPop Demon Hunters honor her Korean roots on the red carpet! She wore a stunning Swarovski look that drew inspiration from the beautiful and elegant female courtesans of the Joseon dynasty – it was a truly captivating and meaningful choice.

She told Vogue that these women were truly artists – the most sophisticated and cultured people of their era, excelling in music, poetry, and lively discussion.

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2026-05-05 19:17