Arielle Vandenberg, the former host of ‘Love Island: USA’, made headlines recently for attempting to crash the highly anticipated 2026 Met Gala in an extravagant dress inspired by garlic, a banned ingredient on the gala menu. This unconventional statement reflected her unabashed love for garlic and her determination to bring it to the forefront of the prestigious fashion event.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Arielle-Vandenberg-Hellmans-5-050426-94ef8ef7521b4b0f83c9a13e51bf270a.jpg)
The 39-year-old made her bold move on May 4th, arriving at the Met Gala without an invitation from fashion luminary Anna Wintour. Vandenberg wore a dramatic couture dress created in collaboration with the culinary brand Hellmann’s, featuring elements inspired by garlic itself. Ahead of the gala, she shared her thoughts on the event’s strict rules, revealing her disappointment over the exclusion of certain foods, particularly garlic.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE prior to the event, Vandenberg expressed her passion for garlic, describing it as “nature’s medicine.” She revealed that she often carries garlic in her purse while travelling, asserting, “Absolutely. Like heaven.” Her enthusiastic relationship with the pungent ingredient certainly set the tone for her daring appearance at one of fashion’s most significant occasions.
The eye-catching garlic-themed dress was the brainchild of New York City-based costume designer Emily Knapp, who collaborated closely with the House of Hellmann’s. Knapp admitted that the design process was a unique challenge, stating, “Thinking about how to transform garlic into couture wasn’t simple.” The finished product was crafted using a mix of fabrics, including organdy and organza, combined with horsehair and can-can tulle to form the dress’s bulbous shape. Knapp highlighted the importance of retaining the iconic bulbous clove design at the gown’s base, which paid tribute to the beloved condiment.
In addition to the creative shape, the dress featured a standout accessory: a sparkling blue bow, another nod to Hellmann’s branding. Knapp detailed that this elegant necklace was made from precious stones and was designed to give a luxurious flair to the overall look. Vandenberg complemented her extravagant dress with understated makeup, incorporating lilac tones to subtly connect with the theme of garlic.
Reflecting on the Met Gala’s theme of “Costume Art,” Vandenberg was confident her outfit aligned perfectly with the spirit of the event. She stated, “It’s perfectly on-theme because it’s such a costume, but it’s still so beautifully constructed.” Vandenberg noted that while most attendees would likely interpret the theme through traditional artworks, her garlic costume was an innovative expression of creative concepts.
Despite her enthusiasm, Vandenberg acknowledged that this act of crashing the gala may have implications for her future invitations. “I’m a little bummed that garlic wasn’t invited, but that’s why we’re doing this,” she remarked, emphasising her belief that food should have a place at celebrations. She expressed her frustrations with the event’s strict policies, particularly the ban on certain foods like onions and chives, describing them as dull and restrictive.
As the date of the gala approached, Vandenberg conveyed both trepidation and excitement. She confidently stated, “I feel confident that garlic and I are gonna get at least close to the carpet.” Her spirited attitude exemplified her readiness to embrace the unconventional nature of her venture, even if it meant running the risk of rejection at the entrance.
Alas, Vandenberg’s hopes of walking the Met Gala red carpet were dashed when she was ultimately turned away at security. However, her noteworthy attempt to redefine the glam event and her unabashed love for all things garlic made a memorable statement that aligned with the spirit of creativity and boldness that the gala strives to celebrate each year. Despite not making it onto the carpet, her dedicated effort to champion a much-loved ingredient against the gala’s restrictions is sure to be remembered in the amusing annals of Met Gala history.