The month of May wouldn't be the same without that spectacle of creativity, excesses, and moments that make us ask, "what did I just see?"
Yes, we're talking about the Met Gala – the most anticipated night on the fashion calendar, where rules are made to be broken and the red carpet turns into a true art runway. This year, on May 4, 2026, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York welcomed the global elite of music, film, sports, and fashion to celebrate the theme "Costume Art" with the dress code "Fashion Is Art." And believe me, if there was one thing that wasn't lacking, it was art – the good kind, the strange kind, and the "how did he manage to climb the stairs in that?" kind.

At Lusijoia, we love talking about style, beauty, and pieces that tell stories. And what are jewels if not small works of art that we wear on our bodies?
So, grab your virtual popcorn and come with us to discover the most memorable (and fun) moments of this Met Gala 2026.

This year's theme: After all, what is "Costume Art"?

Before we dive into the looks (and the night's gems), it's worth understanding what was at stake. The Costume Institute's exhibition theme was simply "Costume Art", exploring the dressed body as a central artistic expression. The dress code, "Fashion Is Art", was the perfect invitation for guests to draw inspiration from artistic movements, sculptures, or even classic works.
Basically, the guideline was: "Dear guests, you can go to the red carpet dressed as a painting, a statue, or an abstract concept. Creativity is welcome." And didn't the celebrities get the message? Well, some more than others…

The night's big surprises

Bad Bunny – the coolest "elder" at the party

We start with the one who probably made us all blink. Bad Bunny showed up – and we almost couldn't believe it.
The Puerto Rican entered the museum with a look that had aged… literally. Yes, because under the hat and next to the cane, attentive fans noticed hyper-realistic aging prosthetics applied to the singer's face.
Just imagine: wrinkles, spots, graying hair… all to explore the passage of time on the human body. The outfit itself was a classic black tuxedo with an enormous bow tie, but the real WOW Factor was that friendly grandfather face hiding the usual Bad Bunny. And the best part? He was 100% in character, with a cane and a shuffling walk worthy of an 80-year-old.If that isn't true commitment to art, we don't know what is!

Dwayne Johnson – the "Lion King" of filigree

Oh, and The Rock? Yes, Dwayne Johnson himself made his Met Gala debut, and not in a simple blazer. The actor went for a Thom Browne look that mixed a long tailcoat with… a pleated skirt and cropped pants. And as if that wasn't enough, the back of the jacket featured a spine embroidered with silk ribbon.
Now, picture the scene: Hollywood's most muscular man, who has saved the world in several action movies, climbing the Met's stairs in a skirt and a silk "backbone." His stylist, Ilaria Urbinati, explained that the goal was "to subvert expectations of what a man of this build can wear."
Mission accomplished, Ilaria, mission accomplished.

Hudson Williams – the shirtless matador

And speaking of sculptural bodies… Hudson Williams decided that the best accessory for a Spanish bullfighter-inspired look was… his bare torso. The actor made his MET red carpet debut in a Balenciaga look that was basically a matador's jacket – navy blue, pointed collar, black beading, and a long cape at the back – with absolutely nothing underneath!
The look was inspired by an original 1947 jacket by Cristóbal Balenciaga. The difference is that the original probably had buttons. Nowadays, what's in fashion is showing off your abs. And mind you, this wasn't just to make waves on social media (though it worked): the choice aligns with the exhibition's focus on the body, exploring silhouette and skin as a true canvas.

Was filigree also present? (spoiler: yes!)

And because this is a Portuguese jewelry blog, we couldn't overlook a very important detail. The "Costume Art" theme also shone in accessories. Many men sported enormous brooches – some true miniature sculptures – and rings set with precious stones. For example, Connor Storrie wore two daring brooches and a ruby-studded ring from Tiffany & Co.

This is an excellent reminder that a piece of jewelry is not just an accessory. It is a statement. It is a work of art. And just like in filigree, where each silver or gold thread is handcrafted to create a unique design, the Met Gala looks are also built piece by piece, meticulously.

Other moments that made us smile

The night was full of stars, and we couldn't fail to mention a few more quirky figures.

Rihanna became a mother again (for the second time) and brought the baby bump to the runway. Dressed in a jacket and long skirt set that looked like giant denim, the singer proved that, pregnant or not, she remains the queen of the event. Even her partner, A$AP Rocky, joked: "Whatever, just don't cover her baby bump, you dig?" He, by the way, appeared in a pink Chanel robe, opening it to show two enormous diamond pendants. The most powerful couple of the night, without a doubt.
Jisoo (Blackpink) made her dream debut: a pink Dior dress, covered head, and a drool-worthy 1905 Cartier necklace. K-pop fans finally saw the complete group at the MET, and it was worth the wait.
Lindsey Vonn transformed into a marble statue. The Olympic champion wore a trompe l'oeil dress that looked like sculpted stone, honoring the museum's classical sculptures. It took 500,000 beads to create that limestone look.
And how could we not laugh with Troye Sivan? The singer showed up in ripped Prada jeans. Yes, you read that right: jeans. At an event where people wear 50,000-euro suits, he went for denim… but with an enormous fur coat and a Robert Mapplethorpe-esque hairstyle. Only he could pull that off.

What does this have to do with Lusijoia?

You might be asking: "But what does a singer dressed as an old man or a bare-chested actor have to do with a jewelry store?"

The answer is: everything!

The Met Gala, at its core, is a celebration of the "handmade," the unique, and the detail. Many of those dresses took hundreds of hours to embroider (Kylie Jenner's dress took 11,000 hours, for example). The jewelry worn is unique, some pieces with centuries of history.
And here at Lusijoia, we share that philosophy. When we present Portuguese filigree, for example, we're taking an ancestral technique and transforming it into something modern. When we sell you a silver ring or a pair of gold earrings, we're not just selling metal. We're selling art. Art that you can wear around your neck, on your ears, or on your finger.

If celebrities at the MET use jewelry to tell who they are, why shouldn't we do the same in our daily lives, right?
A well-chosen piece can be your own personal "Met Gala" moment. And the best part: you don't need to climb stairs or worry about your cape getting caught on your shoes.

See you next year, MET!

This Met Gala 2026 was a shower of creativity. We saw old people who were young, statues that walked, matadors without swords, and many, many brooches. Fashion showed that, yes, it is an art form – sometimes confusing, sometimes hilarious, but always fascinating.

Now, all that's left is to wait for next year, put away our best jewelry, and continue to be inspired. And if you want to add a touch of "art" to your everyday look, you know where to find us.

Until the next red carpet!