These Top Athletes Slayed The Met Gala's 'Costume Art' Theme
The 2026 Met Gala celebrated the opening of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s newest exhibition, "Costume Art," which examines the relationship between fashion, artistic expression, and the human form. Under the dress code "Fashion is Art," the evening emphasized sculptural silhouettes and garments designed to function as visual masterpieces. The exhibition explores how clothing can both highlight and distort the body, transforming the wearer into a living work of art.
Several prominent Black women athletes attended the event, interpreting the theme through luxury designs:
Venus Williams
Serving as a co-chair for the event, the tennis champion wore a Swarovski crystal mesh gown. Styled by Ron Burton, the dress was inspired by the 2022 Robert Pruitt artwork "Venus Williams, Double Portrait," which was commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery. The ensemble featured a shimmering finish complemented by Swarovski jewelry.
Naomi Osaka
The tennis star returned to the museum steps in a custom two-piece creation by Robert Wun. The look featured a sculpted ivory coat with open seams revealing red crystals and flared feathers. Underneath, Osaka wore a fitted red gown detailed with more than 659,000 stitches of embroidery and thousands of Swarovski crystals meant to illustrate human anatomy.
Angel Reese
The Atlanta Dream forward, made her third consecutive appearance at the gala in a custom pink off-the-shoulder gown by Altuzarra. The dress featured billowing sleeves and a high leg slit, reminiscent of classic Hollywood styles. Reese paired the look with a diamond necklace that included a pink pendant.
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A'ja Wilson
The WNBA standout arrived in a gold textured column gown designed by Prabal Gurung. The dress was distinguished by cape-style sleeves and a structured silhouette. Wilson completed her attire with a set of gold choker diamond necklaces.
Serena Williams
The decorated tennis professional, opted for a metallic gown designed by Marc Jacobs. The dress featured a reflective surface that aligned with the night’s emphasis on sculptural and visual art.
