Met Gala 2026: Dupatta Drapes Steal the Show

The Met Gala 2026, held on May 4th, celebrated the intersection of art and fashion with a distinct trend: dupatta styling. This flowing drape, reminiscent of Indian craftsmanship, added a soft counterpoint to the evening's sharper silhouettes. Hailey Bieber donned a custom Saint Laurent gown featuring a sculpted gold bodice and a vibrant blue chiffon skirt, notably accented by a flowing blue dupatta that drew inspiration from Yves Saint Laurent's 1969 couture.

Kendall Jenner also incorporated a dupatta-like element in her after-party look, a draped scarf styled around her neck, aligning with the gala's 'Costume Art' theme. Actor Connor Storrie made his Met Gala debut with a Saint Laurent blazer and a rich chocolate brown sash draped around his neck, further emphasizing the trend's versatility. Camila Mendes graced the event in a custom Manish Malhotra couture gown, inspired by Amrita Sher-Gil's paintings, which featured hand-ruched chiffon and a trailing silhouette.

Mendes's after-party attire continued this theme with fluid draping and a similar flowy fabric around the neck. These deliberate styling choices, alongside other fluid fabric accents, solidified the dupatta's presence as a celebrated element, adding soft elegance to the high-profile event. The trend underscored the gala's exploration of the relationship between the human body and fashion.