Vittoria Ceretti, the renowned Italian model, has candidly expressed her fears surrounding attending the prestigious Met Gala. Speaking in a recent behind-the-scenes video for Vogue Italia, Ceretti shared her experiences of attending the event alone since she first graced the red carpet in 2021. Her remarks resonated with many as she described the uncertainty and apprehension that accompany such a high-profile occasion.
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In the video, which showcased her final fitting for the 2026 gala, Ceretti confided her feelings of vulnerability. “I’ve never gone to the Met with anybody, and it’s always such a scary moment,” she confessed. The model’s journey to the iconic steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art has been marked by solitude, recalling how she would often find herself “waiting in line alone” and “driving there alone.” Her openness about these experiences highlights the intense pressure and anxiety that can accompany major events in the fashion world.
For the eagerly anticipated 2026 Met Gala, Ceretti attended alongside Wes Gordon, the creative director of Carolina Herrera, with whom she partnered for a striking black gown that showcased her midriff. Transitioning from previous years where she attended solo, she expressed relief at the prospect of sharing the experience with Gordon, signalling a change in her approach to the event this year.
Ceretti’s previous appearances at the Met Gala included her debut in 2021, followed by notable appearances in 2023, 2024, and 2025. At last year’s event, she caught the attention of the media not only for her fashion but also due to the surprise appearance of her boyfriend, Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio. Although he did not walk the red carpet, DiCaprio’s understated entrance into the museum added an element of intrigue, marking his own first experience at the gala.
Their relationship reportedly began in August 2023, soon after they were spotted enjoying a casual day out in Santa Barbara, California. The couple seemed to share a light-hearted moment, with DiCaprio seen smiling while partially obscuring his face, thus generating speculation about their growing connection in the public eye.
The critically acclaimed Met Gala serves as a platform for the fashion industry, showcasing creativity and artistry under a specific theme each year. For 2026, the theme was “Costume Art”, aligning with the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s upcoming exhibition of the same name. This year’s dress code, “Fashion Is Art,” invited a blend of fashion-forward thinking and artistic interpretation, reflecting the event’s longstanding tradition of marrying fashion with high art.
The “Costume Art” exhibition aims to revolutionise how fashion is perceived within the museum space. It marks the inauguration of new permanent galleries dedicated to the Costume Institute, a significant milestone for both the museum and the fashion world. Andrew Bolton, curator in charge, expressed excitement about this transformative shift, noting that “an art museum like The Met is actually giving a central location to fashion.”
Bolton’s vision for the exhibition emphasises the importance of the ‘dressed body’ within art history, bridging various artistic forms over an impressive span of 5,000 years. By pairing historical paintings and sculptures with fashion pieces from the Costume Institute, the exhibition seeks to foster a deeper understanding of the interrelation between art and fashion, making a compelling statement about their collective significance.
As Ceretti embraces her evolving relationship with the Met Gala, she embodies a transformation not just in her personal experience but within the broader context of fashion as an artistic endeavour. With the anticipation of the 2026 gala and the groundbreaking exhibition, it appears that both Ceretti and the fashion world at large are poised for an exciting new chapter.