The Artwork Behind Heidi Klum’s Transformation at the Met Gala 2026 Red Carpet

Heidi Klum took the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s “Costume Art” exhibition and “Fashion Is Art” theme to a new level in her look at the 2026 Met Gala in New York City on Monday night.

The longtime model wore an ensemble evocative of the Veiled Vestal sculpture. A gray material was crafted and modeled to Klum’s body, creating a formfitting silhouette with illusion elements that gave the piece the look of moving sheer fabric.

Even the detailing on Klum’s faced created a deceptively veiled appearance. A headpiece full of floral elements featured as well. The model’s entire look enveloped Klum’s body, with gray contacts added and painted hands, face and even teeth.

Klum’s ensemble paid homage to the 1847 sculpture by Raffelle Monti, the Veiled Vestal. The original sculpture was commissioned in 1846 and serves as a representation of a Vestal Virgin, the priestesses of the Ancient Roman goddess Vesta. 

Veiled sculptures and busts grew in popularity and fascination during this time period. The sculpture resided in Cavendish’s West London Chiswick House and is now on display in Chatsworth House. The art piece famously made an appearance in the 2005 film adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Pride & Prejudice,” directed by Joe Wright.

Klum’s attire for Monday night’s Met Gala coincides with the evening’s dress code of “Fashion Is Art.”

The model’s attire is in stark contrast to her 2025 ensemble, when she wore a simple black gown designed by Vetements creative director Guram Gvasalia.

The 2026 Met Gala took place on Monday at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. This year’s exhibition, “Costume Art,” celebrated fashion as an art form, with a dress code of “Fashion Is Art.” The event was cochaired by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour, with Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez-Bezos serving as honorary chairs. The annual benefit raises funds for the Met’s Costume Institute.