Is fashion art? Such was the question asked on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art—which saw a troupe of fashionable folk, designers and celebrity faces turn up for the Met Gala 2026.
The question is an easy enough one for Audrey Nuna and Robert Wun. Those who have been following the works of the visionary designer over the years might even posture that this year’s Met dress code, ‘Fashion is Art’—aligned to the overall exhibition theme of ‘Costume Art’—was destined for Wun to shine. His theatrical expressions of couture, esoteric imaginations and inexplicable attention to his craft have always demanded his clients to broaden their horizons and adopt new perspectives. Surely, fashion is art in Wun’s eyes—and it’s a vision that naturally continued onto the red carpet of fashion’s biggest night, as a fleet of guests opted to wear his designs, including one bold supernova, Audrey Nuna.
“It was beautifully chaotic,” expresses Nuna, on her Met Gala debut at this year’s glitzy affair in New York City. In a single glance, her look for the night imparted her confident, audacious nature: an all-white coat and wide-brimmed hat ensemble, speckled with jet-black Swarovski crystal beads. “Robert Wun’s work to me, is the epitome of ‘Fashion is Art’. This piece imagines a UV light, revealing stains of the past via 15,000 crystal beads. I love the idea that you can make something beautiful out of past pain, and that you can display and present your growth in a way that pays homage to it while acknowledging its messiness too.”
This year’s Met Gala theme took on new meaning for the musical juggernaut, whose aptitude for experimentation has not faded even as she basks in the inimitable success of KPop Demon Hunters, with its popular track ‘Golden’ winning a Grammy earlier this year. “Fashion is Art feels heaven-sent. This has been the energy for me and my team throughout the entire awards season already. It feels oddly familiar and also a grand kick off for a new era,” she proclaims.
As for what happens after the Met? There’s plenty to look forward to, and it’s after-parties abound. When asked if she’ll be heading to any, her cool girl sensibilities shine through: “I’m heading to one or two. Changing my outfit to something baggy for sure (laughs).”
Below, see how the vocal powerhouse and Vogue Singapore December cover star got ready for the Met Gala 2026.
1 / 10
The rhinestone lips in black was a last minute call that worked beautifully. The balance of calculation and letting things happen is everything.
2 / 10
Look at that. Counterintuitive silhouettes, a fuck the world mood.
3 / 10
It truly takes a village to create a look, down to sewing nails onto the gloves. I love working with people who love their craft. We worked in dead silence and the focus was palpable.
4 / 10
This shot is kinda sick. I’ve never worn a hat like this before. It makes me feel like every villain has an origin story & I love when clothes can make you wonder about a character’s story.
5 / 10
The whole party taking off with me.
6 / 10
Down to the last second, we worked on the look and kept sculpting and perfecting.
7 / 10
The 15,000 beads are such a testament to the power of details.
8 / 10
One of my favorite parts of this piece is also the structure in the shoulders.
9 / 10
It was important for the makeup to provide contrast. Ashley Ysabelle and I decided to go for asymmetry to mirror the chaos of the beads, but still something crisp and sharp for balance.
10 / 10
Robert Wun is such a master of duality. The concept of this piece, a UV light revealing stains of the past, reminds me that beauty can come from pain.
Photographer James Bee
Styling Danyul Brown
Make-up Ashley Ysabelle
Hair Akihisa Yamaguchi
Manicure Marielle Co
