From Hudson Williams and Odessa A’zion in Frette robes to the first robot Met Gala guest, here’s a look at the Mark Hotel lobby scene.From Hudson Williams and Odessa A’zion in Frette robes to the first robot Met Gala guest, here’s a look at the Mark Hotel lobby scene.
Just when you thought you’d seen all the possible Met Gala novelties, the hotel elevator at The Mark Hotel delivered a new spectacle for 2026.
The gala’s very first robot guest (!) was an early departure for the red carpet, although it took awhile for its handler to maneuver it out of the elevator and get it in position for the bank of photographers waiting to capture the first look at the 2026 Met.
Naturally, Anna Wintour and her children were the first ones out the hotel doors, followed soon after by Naomi Osaka, Google cofounder Sergey Brin, and Christian Cowan with Sam Smith — who was dressed, of course, in Christian Cowan. “It’s all him,” said Cowan, gesturing to his partner’s look.
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“I can’t breathe,” said Sabine Getty of the tightly fitted bodice on her gown, printed with the image of hands wrapped around a naked body.
Next up? The Robot. “He’s a bit shy,” said one of its helpers, asked if it was available for comment (rumor was that it can speak 50 languages). The Robot, the least dressed guest of the evening, was a guest of Alexander Wang and was emblazoned with the name of Wang’s soon-to-launch drink brand.
Moving on: Maluma, dressed in fellow Colombian-born designer Haider Ackermann, was en route to his fifth Met Gala. “I feel like every year is different, but I’m for sure going to have fun,” said the singer.
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Jordan Roth made his way down the staircase holding the hand of a cloth mannequin-doll attached to the back of his look. As the producer held court in the lobby, someone came by to smooth out the doll’s arm with a hairbrush. Irina Shayk also headed to the gala holding a plus one: her dog.
Simon Porte Jacquemus dressed a very important guest this year: his grandmother, who made her very first trip to New York just for the gala.
“I just want to see everything that everybody has envisioned,” offered Dree Hemmingway of what she was looking forward to as she headed into the evening. “We’re here to have fun, no? Fashion is fun.”
“I’m working out right now,” said “K-Pop Demon Hunters” singer Ejae, asked about the weight of her full Swarovski gown. The upside? “I feel like a goddess,” she added.
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“I feel like I’ve been lying in a black lake, and walked out with extreme beauty attached to me,” said Naomi Watts, dressed in a Dior gown featuring a constellation of individually stitched silk flowers, which was inspired by a Dutch painting. “Tonight, I’m stoked to be trying to honor Jonathan Anderson’s vision.”
“This is crazy!” exclaimed Odessa A’zion, making her way around the lobby in a hotel robe as cameras followed her every move. She stopped for a quick whispered conversation with Watts. “Wait, let me see your nails!” A’zion called out, catching a glimpse of Watts’ floral-accented tips.
A’zion started to head back up the staircase when she encountered a familiar face: Hudson Williams, who was also robed up (Frette) and in full glam. “Love you!” Williams called out as they headed in opposite directions.
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Karlie Kushner’s favorite part of attending the Met Gala? “This,” she said, as husband Jared Kushner waited dutifully nearby.
“You look hot!” A’zion called out to Alex Consani after reappearing in the lobby, still robed but with a black train trailing behind her.
“It’s my wedding day,” said Consani, as she posed for photos in her white strapless Connor Ives gown. “Who are you marrying?” asked Lila Moss, standing nearby with Ives and blowing Consani a kiss. “Connor,” Consani called back, offering the designer a hug.
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The lobby swelled as stars including Chase Infiniti in Louis Vuitton, Tessa Thompson in Valentino, Doechii in Marc Jacobs and more continued to debut their gala looks and wait their turn to walk out the hotel’s front door.
“Oh, this is going to get busy,” remarked one guest, as the crowd ebbed to make room for new arrivals. “I’m standing in awkward places right now,” said NFL player Joe Burrow to himself, stepping aside to allow for gown traffic control.
Louisa Jacobson, in Dilara, made her debut alongside sister Grace Gummer and Gabriela Hearst. “I feel like something from another galaxy,” said Gummer of her custom look by the designer. “It’s extremely raw, like nature itself,” added Hearst of her design, crafted with bonded gold leather.
As the stars continued to make their way out the front door and into waiting sprinter vans, one major VIP was still left to appear: Cardi B.
Soon, several umbrellas popped open to announce (and conceal) her presence.
“That’s seven years of bad luck right there,” offered a photographer, as the rapper was hurried out the door.
Anything for fashion.
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