The Met Gala Is For Everyone Now, Here’s How To Crash It With AI

The Met Gala doesn’t just have to be for celebrities and billionaires. This fun trend sweeping social media opens up fashion’s biggest night to everyone!

South Africa (08 May 2026) – On Monday night, Sabrina Carpenter wore a dress made of film strips, Bad Bunny showed up aged 53 years into the future, and Katy Perry hid her entire face behind a chrome mask. Blue Ivy Carter made her first-ever Met appearance at 14. Rihanna closed the carpet, as is tradition. Beyoncé came back after a 10-year hiatus. And proudly repping South Africa, Tyla, inspired by a peacock, wore a custom Valentino look, making it her third consecutive Met appearance.

The 2026 Met Gala, themed ‘Costume Art’ with a dress code of ‘Fashion Is Art,’ was all the things. It was a lot. Perhaps controversial, even.  While the red carpet may have been reserved for the A-listers, your imaginary look absolutely does not have to be.

People are using ChatGPT to picture themselves at the Met. Some of these AI-generated looks are rivalling the real thing. Find out how to join in below!



How To Walk Your Own Met Gala Red Carpet (Virtually)

Step 1: Open ChatGPT

You’ll need access to ChatGPT – either the app or the web version. Both work. If you’re on the free plan, you get a few free image generations per day, enough for a little Met moment.

Step 2: Upload a photo of yourself

Tap the ‘+’ icon and select a clear photo from your gallery. A close-up or portrait works best; the clearer your face, the better the result.

Step 3: Choose your prompt

This is where the magic happens. We found these five prompts that work really well. We didn’t create them ourselves, but they’re brilliant.

Pick one, paste it in, and hit send:

“Reimagine me walking at the Met Gala this year, where the theme is ‘Fashion Turned Into Art’. Keep my facial features exactly the same, but generate an image of me wearing a gorgeous and elegant outfit that perfectly fits both the Met Gala theme and my personality. Place me inside the Met Gala hall and make the image look as realistic and original as possible. Add a dreamy atmosphere with soft surreal lighting and a cinematic effect.”

“Create a realistic Met Gala inspired portrait of me standing on the red carpet in New York. Keep my face, hairstyle and natural features the same. Dress me in a couture outfit inspired by paintings, sculptures and modern art. Make the image look like an original celebrity red carpet photograph.”

“Transform my photo into a high fashion Met Gala look based on the theme Fashion Is Art. Keep my identity unchanged and design an elegant, dramatic outfit with artistic textures, fine detailing and a museum inspired background. The final image should look polished, cinematic and natural.”

“Imagine me as a celebrity guest at the Met Gala. Keep my facial features exactly the same and create a luxury outfit that looks like wearable art. Add soft camera flash, red carpet lights, photographers in the background and a glamorous New York evening atmosphere.”

“Generate a dreamy editorial style image of me inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art during the Met Gala. Keep my face realistic and unchanged. Dress me in a beautiful outfit inspired by art, sculpture and couture, with soft lighting, rich colours and a high fashion magazine feel.”

Step 4: Tweak and play

Not obsessed with the first result? Try adding more details to your prompt. Want a look inspired by Tyla’s peacock moment? Just say so. Fancy something more Bad Bunny-esque and avant-garde? Tell Chat about it. The more specific you are, the more your look will feel like you.

The theme is Fashion Is Art, and so is your AI-generated floor-length gown made of braaibroodtjies. Welcome to the Met, darling. You look incredible.

Curious what the Good Things Guy team looks like? Let’s take a look…

Sources: Linked above.

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