The Met Gala Was a Great Night for Independent and Emerging Designers
The Met Gala Was a Great Night for Independent and Emerging Designers
Jessica MinkoffTue, May 5, 2026 at 9:51 PM UTC
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The Met Gala Was a Great Night for Indie DesignersGetty Images
If ever there’s a time and place to shine a much-deserved light on some fresh fashion, it’s the red carpet at the Met Gala. And as of late, it seems that celebrity stylists have gotten the memo. While many of the memorable moments from last night’s First Monday in May celebration came with labels touting Chanel, Dior, Saint Laurent, Prada, and more, significant space was also given to emerging and independent designers.
Dressing someone for the Met Gala is a rite of passage for designers, but it is also an opportunity to take center stage in a room filled with the industry’s hottest names who collectively garner millions of views on social media platforms worldwide. Having a moment at the storied event can change a brand’s trajectory in mere minutes, transforming them into somewhat of a household name.
Tate McCrae wore Ludovic de Saint Sernin to a Met Gala after-partyIlya S. Savenok - Getty Images
At the red carpet events leading up to last night’s main event, labels including Ashi Studio, Colleen Allen, Connor Ives, Collina Strada and Dilara Findigkolu all appeared on A-listers like Zendaya, Nicole Kidman, Zoe Kravitz, Tessa Thompson and Margot Robbie—stars who could have chosen anything from any brand. That’s got to feel good for the designers, not to mention boost the bottom line for their businesses.
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Aariana Rose Philip in Collina Strada at the Met GalaDimitrios Kambouris - Getty Images
All of the aforementioned names continued their red carpet streaks with head-turning moments at the Met Gala and its after-parties. Highlights included model and musician Aariana Rose Philip (who posed for the Met as one of the mannequins in the exhibition) in Collina Strada. The pair have been working together for almost a decade, and Philip has walked in several of designer Hillary Taymour’s runway shows. The New York brand, known for its playful eclecticism, also dressed Ella Emhoff for an after party at the Standard.
Louisa Jacobson in Dilara at the Met GalaTheStewartofNY - Getty Images
London-based designers Connor Ives and Dilara Findikoglu have also been booked and busy, dressing model Lila Moss and actress Louisa Jacobson (respectively) for the Met Gala red carpet. Findikoglu, who has made a name for herself with designs that highlight the natural curves of the body, was an obvious choice due to the 2026 “Fashion is Art” theme. She also created an after-party look for Hailey Bieber, who wore the label to post-Met celebrations last year as well.
Ashley Graham in DiPesta at the Met GalaTheStewartofNY - Getty Images
Other fresh names that took the spotlight last night included master of sexiness Ludovic de Saint Sernin, perfectly worn by Tate McRae; DiPesta, whose signature wet look was spotted on Ashley Graham and Laura Harrier; and it-Brit Simone Rocha on Adwoa Aboah. Jewelry designer Sabine Getty chose custom Ashi Studio, the mastermind behind Zendaya’s open-back moment at the Euphoria premiere in Los Angeles, while actress and model Hunter Schafer shed her Prada red carpet look for a mini dress from Steve O.Smith. If we’re still calling the Met Gala the Super Bowl of fashion, then these designers are in contention for MVP.
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
