The Tamesis
surprise! Blake Lively made a grand return to the 2026 Met Gala on Monday night. (The star, who last attended the event in 2022, has been a regular on the steps of the Met for years, having attended 10 times before tonight.)
In honor of her buzzy red carpet appearance this year, the star opted for a classic Spring 2006 Atelier Versace silhouette. Ten years later, this stunning gown clearly still has relevance.
“It’s an honor to be part of this with Donatella and I don’t take it lightly,” said Lively Fashion. “I haven’t been like this since giving birth to my fourth child. Every year, I’m a different version of myself than I was last year, so the strength and confidence to be able to stand in the person I am today – and all the experiences I’ve been through – is important to me. So is being at home on the couch with my kids in their pajamas: being able to do both is a privilege and one I will always be grateful for.”
“Blake looks stunning in the Atelier Versace archives,” added Donatella Versace. “She had many iconic Versace moments at the Met and tonight was no exception.”
Photo: Getty Images
Taking inspiration from the “fashion is art” dress code, Lively chose a pastel Atelier Versace gown that featured three-dimensional architectural elements, all inspired by 18th-century Venetian Rococo paintings. “Because the theme was based on art, I wanted to wear a piece that was historically significant,” Lively said. “Clothing is truly a canvas that tells a story, so it feels special to be inspired by a piece that has its own history and has stood the test of time.”
The draped bodice hugs the body with an almost liquid structure and is embroidered with stones in pink, yellow, coral, peach and lilac. At the hip, four three-dimensional structures – acting as “bays” – recall the architectural style of Baroque churches. Meanwhile, the fabric of the four-meter-long skirt blends into the sunset-like sky.
