Lauren Sánchez Bezos took her Met Gala preparation to an unexpected place: the New York Fire Department.

Days before stepping onto the red carpet May 4, the 56 year old journalist and philanthropist joined FDNY for a full training routine, complete with gear drills, smoke filled obstacle courses, and life saving techniques.

“It’s probably the most unique Met prep ever,” Sánchez told Vogue. “It was bananas, but I loved it. I probably lost about two pounds doing it.”

The honourary co chair of this year’s gala shared footage of the workout on Instagram, noting the session benefited the Leary Firefighters Foundation and FDNY Foundation.

“They do not mess around,” she wrote, adding that the experience gave her “a very small glimpse into the strength, discipline, and courage firefighters bring to their work.”

Her training coincided with International Firefighters’ Day on May 4, a detail Sánchez highlighted in her tribute: “Thank you to firefighters everywhere for your service.”

On the Met steps, Sánchez channeled John Singer Sargent’s 1883 painting Madame X in a midnight blue Schiaparelli gown by Daniel Roseberry.

The corseted look featured a jeweled strap draped over one shoulder, paired with Lorraine Schwartz earrings.

Inside the gala, she was joined by husband Jeff Bezos, who kept his look classic in a black tuxedo and bowtie.

Anna Wintour made her entrance at the 2026 Met Gala in the kind of statement-making fashion that only she can pull off, a feathery turquoise jacket layered over a turquoise and black embroidered gown, both custom Chanel, bringing the evening’s Costume Art theme to life with characteristic authority.

The 76-year-old arrived among the first to step onto the white carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accessorising with her signature oversized sunglasses, a jewelled statement necklace, strappy black stilettos and, of course, her trademark bob and fringe. 

Some things never change.

Wintour remains the lead chairperson of the annual fundraiser despite having handed editorial control of American Vogue to her successor Chloe Malle, who was named head of editorial content in September.

Wintour has since taken on the role of chief content officer for Condé Nast, overseeing a portfolio that includes WIRED, Vanity Fair, GQ, Glamour and Bon Appétit, with Malle still reporting directly into her.

This year’s co-chairs joining Wintour are Beyoncé, making her first Met Gala appearance in a decade, Venus Williams and Nicole Kidman. 

The honorary chairs, Lauren Sánchez Bezos and Jeff Bezos, generated considerable discussion when their roles were announced, having secured the titles after committing to being the evening’s biggest donors.

Wintour has been steadfastly positive about the appointment. “We’re very grateful for her incredible generosity,” she told CNN in November. “So we’re thrilled she’s part of the night.”

This will be Lauren’s second Met Gala attendance and Jeff’s third.

Dwayne Johnson has stunned fans and fashion critics alike by arriving at the 2026 Met Gala in a bold, custom-made pleated skirt. 

Walking the red carpet hand-in-hand with his wife, Lauren Hashian, the star known as “The Rock” swapped his usual trousers for a black mohair tailcoat and matching skirt designed by Thom Browne. 

The intricate outfit was a true work of art, featuring a “skeletal composition” made from over 350 metres of hand-pleated silk ribbons.

When journalists caught up with him to ask how he felt about the ensemble, Johnson was quick to explain that the look was deeply rooted in his heritage. 

He mentioned that when the design team initially questioned if he would be comfortable with a pleated skirt, his answer was an immediate yes.

Johnson pointed out that in Polynesian culture, men frequently wear lavalavas and skirts, noting that the most masculine men in his culture embrace these garments. 

“I feel great!” he told reporters, laughing off any suggestion that the outfit was anything less than traditional for him.

The actor joins an elite list of attendees at this year’s event, which is being hosted by a committee including the likes of Zoë Kravitz, Sabrina Carpenter, and Doja Cat. 

As one of the most talked-about men of the night, Johnson’s choice to embrace his Polynesian roots through high fashion directly addressed the “Fashion is Art” theme. 

By blending Thom Browne’s avant-garde tailoring with the cultural significance of the lavalava, he managed to turn a red-carpet moment into a meaningful conversation about identity and what it really means to be a modern man.