Christian Cowan and Sam Smith attend the 2026 Met Gala themed “Costume Art” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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There is something undeniably special about hitting the Met Gala red carpet alongside your partner—especially when you are decked out in custom pieces they designed specifically for the grand affair.
Sam Smith and their partner, fashion designer Christian Cowan, made a stunning arrival at the 2026 Met Gala, both outfitted in bespoke creations by Cowan. Their matching noir couture drew heavy inspiration from the legendary 1920s illustrator and designer Erté. Celebrated for bridging the gap between fine art and high fashion, Erté’s influential work has famously graced the pages of Vogue.
Smith’s dramatic, sculptural ensemble served as the perfect manifestation of this year’s “Fashion is Art” theme. The coat alone was a masterclass in craftsmanship, featuring more than 230,000 hand-applied crystals and beads, requiring a team of 45 artisans and 800 hours to complete. Cowan complemented the look with his own sharp, 1920s-inspired tailoring, accented by upwards of 25,000 delicate beads. To finish the aesthetic, Smith topped off the ensemble with a bespoke headpiece—a collaborative vision from Cowan and renowned milliner Stephen Jones—paired with elegant Cartier jewelry.
Offering fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse, Smith shared details of the couture via Instagram shortly before the Vogue red carpet livestream kicked off. The post featured a poignant sentiment from Erté: “Art is not a thing; it’s a way.”
This appearance marks the couple’s third consecutive year attending the Met Gala together. Since going public in 2023, the Grammy-winning star and the New York-based designer have cemented their status as a fashion-forward duo. They made their red carpet debut as a couple in 2024—also in coordinated Cowan designs—and returned in 2025 with an equally sophisticated look honoring that year’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
