Madonna Enchants in a Sheer Cape—Carried by 7 Ladies-in-Waiting—at the 2026 Met Gala - Vogue

Madonna is officially in her witchy era. After wearing a swaggering Tom Ford double-breasted suit (replete with a cigar) to the 2025 Met Gala in honor of the exhibition “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” and its dress code “Tailored for You,” the Material Girl pulled a 180—a classic Madge move if ever there were one—and went full dark enchantress for the 2026 Met Gala. This year, the pop diva (who has a new album coming July 3) wore a floor-sweeping Saint Laurent slip dress crafted from satin and lace topped with a scene-stealing cape (something of a trend) in translucent violet organza, complete with its very own coven to carry it. She finished off the look with leather platform boots, a long black wig, and a jaunty hat with its own ghost ship perched on top. (Oh, and there was a horn instrument involved too—I mean, why not?) The look, we learned, is a reference to the Surrealist female painter Leonora Carrington, who was an inspiration point for the singer’s classic “Bedtime Story” music video. With the lingerie-like slip, though, Madonna may also be referencing her own fashion history as a renegade who often wore underwear (much of it designed by Jean Paul Gaultier) as outerwear. (As any good Madonnaologist will recall, she spent much of the Eighties and Nineties shocking the world with her conical bras and exposed gartered stockings—how times have changed!) And while Saint Laurent is synonymous with French style, her make-up was an Italian job (a nod to the Material Girl’s heritage), courtesy of celebrity make-up artist Marcelo Gutierrez working with the Italian brand KIKO Milano. According to Guitierrez, he started with the eye, using a High Pigment Eyeshadow (20) to neutralize the lid and add a soft veil of shimmer—“Nothing overly sparkly, just a subtle luminosity,” he said—before adding High Pigment Eyeshadow (37) to highlight the inner corners and brow bone, for a lifting, sculptural effect. Next, he layered in tones, using High Pigment Eyeshadow (36) and (57), to help build layers that felt defined yet natural (i.e., not too heavy), before adding yet another layer of eyeshadow—in a muted mauve-lilac shade—to bring out some warmth. And finally, liner was added and then softly set with High Pigment Eyeshadow (54) and (57) to diffuse the edge for a gently smoked effect. Her long raven mane, meanwhile, was a highlight of the evening. "The look was rooted in an obscure feminist artist,” said Merria Dearman, who styled her hair. “It was surreal, textural, and emotionally driven rather than literal. From the beginning, it was never about perfection. It was about feeling.” The inspiration came from a wig that Madge had spotted on set, and a semi-custom version was crafted from there. “The direction was instinctive but precise,” says Dearman. “Extremely long, full, and rich in texture. A deep, natural brown, not black, with ends that softened and diffused like hair that has grown untouched for years. Organic. Lived in. Completely authentic.” Much like Madonna herself. Met Gala 2026: See Every Celebrity Arrival, Read the Latest Stories, and Get Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Access Here