Met Gala 2026: the most spectacular manicures spotted on the red carpet

The Met Gala 2026 proved once again that beauty is in the details. On the red carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2026, the stars transformed their nails into veritable works of art. The manicure became a fashion accessory in its own right, perfectly aligned with this year’s “Costume Art” theme.

Nail art at the heart of the “Costume Art” theme

This year, nails were no longer mere accessories. They have become mini-toiles where artists express their creativity. The Met Gala 2026 celebrates this new art form, where fingers are transformed into expressive spaces.

Celebrities vied with each other to come up with unique designs. Each manicure told a story in line with the outfit worn. Chrome finishes, floral motifs and dipped effects dominated the red carpet.

“I never thought a custom-made garment could impress me so much.” – Jared Ellner, Emma Chamberlain’s stylist

Ashley Graham and the “silver dip” manicure effect

The American supermodel, co-host of the evening, wore a nude dress by Di Petsa. Her hands sported spectacular chrome nail art. Ashley Graham opted for long, almond-shaped nails, entirely painted in reflective silver.

The effect went far beyond the nails. The silver color permeated her fingers, as if she’d dipped them in liquid silver. This bold manicure was perfectly in keeping with the evening’s dress code.

• Silver chrome effect on almond-shaped nails
• Dipped” color to cover fingers
• Crimson stiletto nails with sequins
• Multicolored floral motifs on a black base
• Artistic brushstrokes in midnight blue, neon yellow and brown

The evening’s most daring manicure creations

Emma Chamberlain caused a sensation with her Mugler outfit designed by Miguel Castro Freitas, the house’s new artistic director. Brushstrokes of bright colors, left to air-dry, painted her body. Her nail art matched: touches of midnight blue, neon yellow and brown appeared on her triangular-tipped nails.

The manicure echoed the designer’s technical and artistic gestures. The result was a coherent whole in which the garment and the nails were one. As a result, Emma Chamberlain’s look will remain one of the most striking of this edition.

Tennis player Naomi Osaka, known for her love of elaborate nail art, opted for crimson stiletto nails. Darker shades and glitter adorned the right corner of each nail. This manicure was a visual extension of her transparent red mesh dress by Robert Wun.

Actress Tessa Thompson and cobalt blue

Tessa Thompson wore a bespoke cobalt-blue gown by Christopher Esber, christened “Molded Venus”. The same hue was repeated on her nails. Like Ashley Graham, she had chosen a “dipped” effect, where the color seemed to run down her fingers.

This choice created perfect harmony between the outfit and the hands. On the other hand, the approach was more minimalist than that of other guests. The visual impact was no less strong thanks to this chromatic coherence.

Naomi Watts and flowery nails

The star of Mulholland Drive chose to respect the theme with a striking floral design. Her Christian Dior gown and elaborate hairstyle were echoed in her manicure. Flowers of every color and shape bloomed on a black base.

The strong contrast immediately drew the eye to her hands. Naomi Watts proved that nail art can rival the most precious jewels. Her look perfectly embodied the “Costume Art” spirit of this 2026 edition.

The Met Gala confirms a fundamental trend: manicure is no longer a mere detail. It is becoming a central element of style, on a par with the dress or accessories. Fashion designers are well aware of this, coordinating their creations with bespoke nail designs.

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