Ashley Graham Arrives at Met Gala 2026 in Custom Nude-Mesh Gown, Takes On Host Duties

The 38-year-old model arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday, May 4, for fashion's most anticipated evening, stepping onto the carpet as one of the night's official hosts.

Graham is among four celebrities selected to guide viewers through the Vogue live stream experience, which will air on YouTube and TikTok. Throughout the evening, she'll be greeting arriving guests and offering commentary on their fashion selections.

For her own appearance, Graham opted for a custom creation by Greek designer Dimitra Petsa, paired with jewelry from Zales. The striking nude-mesh gown required a hands-on approach—the piece had to be sewn onto Graham for the evening, ensuring a flawless fit on the red carpet.

"I have always admired Ashley for her intellect and her beauty, and it has been a dream to dress her for such an important moment," Petsa shared.

Graham elevated the look with a notable nail design, featuring silver-tipped fingertips that added an extra touch of glamour to her ensemble.

This year's Met Gala celebrates the museum's Costume Art exhibition, which examines "the centrality of the dressed body" through depictions and interpretations of the human form drawn from the Met's collection. The theme "Fashion is Art" guides tonight's dress code, while the event's co-chairs include Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and former Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.

The gala brings together hundreds of A-list celebrities for what remains the fashion calendar's most prestigious gathering.