Heidi Klum Transforms into Living Marble Statue at 2026 Met Gala

Key facts

• Heidi Klum, 52, wore a custom look by Mike Marino inspired by classical sculptures like Veiled Christ and Veiled Vestal.
• The 2026 Met Gala theme is 'Costume Art,' curated by Andrew Bolton, exploring the relationship between clothing and the body.
• Klum’s ensemble included draped robes, a floral wreath, flat sandals, and head-to-toe gray body paint.
• The dress code for the event was 'Fashion Is Art.'
• Co-chairs included Anna Wintour, Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams; honorary chairs were Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos.
• Klum last attended the Met Gala in 2013, making this her first appearance in 12 years.
• She recently appeared in 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' and promoted the film with Grey Goose.
• Klum’s children Leni and Henry Samuel have also entered the fashion industry.

A Sculptural Entrance

Heidi Klum arrived at the 2026 Met Gala on Monday night virtually unrecognizable, transformed into a marble statue. The supermodel, 52, wore a custom creation by Mike Marino that included draped robes hugging her figure, facial prosthetics mimicking a stone veil, and chalky gray body paint from head to toe. She completed the look with a floral wreath and flat sandals, evoking classical works such as Giuseppe Sammartino's Veiled Christ and Raffaele Monti's Veiled Vestal.

The Theme and Its Curator

This year's gala theme is 'Costume Art,' curated by Andrew Bolton, with a stated aim to 'explore the relationship between clothing and the body beneath.' The dress code was 'Fashion Is Art,' and Klum's literal interpretation—appearing as if she had stepped out of the museum's sculpture gallery—was a standout. The exhibition promises to focus on 'the centrality of the dressed body' throughout art and fashion history.

A Star-Studded Host Committee

The Met Gala 2026 was held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Co-chairs included Vogue's Anna Wintour, Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams, with Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos serving as honorary chairs. The host committee featured an extensive list of luminaries: Anthony Vaccarello, Zoë Kravitz, Adut Akech, Angela Bassett, Sinéad Burke, Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Gwendoline Christie, Misty Copeland, Alex Consani, Elizabeth Debicki, Lena Dunham, Paloma Elsesser, Rebecca Hall, LISA, Chloe Malle, Aimee Mullins, Amy Sherald, Tschabalala Self, Sam Smith, Teyana Taylor, Anna Weyant, Lauren Wasser, A'ja Wilson, Chase Sui Wonders, and Yseult.

Klum’s History of Daring Fashion

Klum is known for her elaborate Halloween costumes, which often require hours of prosthetics. Past looks include Medusa in 2025, E.T. with husband Tom Kaulitz in 2024, Shrek's Fiona in 2018, and a worm costume in 2022. Her Met Gala ensemble echoed her 2026 Grammys look—a literal second-skin dress molded to her body—and her appearance at the Vetements fashion show in a see-through lace dress. At Coachella last month, she wore disguises and wigs to go incognito.

A Return After 12 Years

Klum’s appearance marked her first Met Gala since 2013. Last year, for the 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style' theme, she wore a subdued strapless black Vetements dress. Off the red carpet, Klum is raising a family of models: daughter Leni Klum frequently poses with her for Intimissimi, and son Henry Samuel made his runway debut in 2025, later landing a magazine cover and appearing with Heidi and Leni on the cover of Paper magazine earlier this year.

A Glimpse into Hollywood

Klum recently made a cameo in 'The Devil Wears Prada 2,' promoted alongside Grey Goose. She told ABC, 'I was so lucky 20 years ago to have a tiny little glimpse to be in this movie. I remember it was with Mr. Valentino, and it was tiny, tiny, tiny, but still to be in such an epic movie for me, it was so amazing and still is. And I maybe have a tiny little part in it this year, I hope that they didn't snip snip me out, I don't know. But it was about fashion, about the people at the top top top in fashion, so it gave a little glimpse, a little insight.'

The Broader Gala Landscape

Klum was one of many bold looks on the carpet. Other notable attendees included Zoë Kravitz in a sheer YSL gown, Sabrina Carpenter channeling Audrey Hepburn, and Gwendoline Christie posing with a mask of her own face. Blue Ivy Carter made her Met Gala debut, and Beyoncé wore a skeleton naked dress. The evening also saw a brawl break out, adding an unexpected note to the annual fashion event.

The bottom line

• Heidi Klum’s 2026 Met Gala look was a literal interpretation of the 'Costume Art' theme, transforming her into a marble statue using prosthetics and body paint.
• The custom ensemble by Mike Marino was inspired by classical sculptures, utilizing latex and spandex to create a stone-like appearance.
• Klum’s appearance was her first Met Gala in 12 years, marking a return to the event after a subdued look in 2025.
• The 2026 Met Gala was co-chaired by Anna Wintour, Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams, with a host committee of over 30 celebrities.
• Klum’s children, Leni and Henry Samuel, have followed her into the fashion industry, with Henry making his runway debut in 2025.
• The gala featured a wide array of celebrity looks, including debuts by Blue Ivy Carter and a brawl that disrupted the event.