Aktris Blake Lively resmi kembali menghadiri ajang Met Gala pada Senin malam, 4 Mei 2026, setelah terakhir kali muncul pada tahun 2022. Dalam kepulangannya ke tangga The Met tersebut, Lively memilih mengenakan busana arsip dari koleksi musim semi 2006 milik rumah mode Atelier Versace.
Penampilan bintang yang telah menghadiri acara ini sebanyak 10 kali tersebut menonjolkan gaun pastel dengan elemen arsitektural tiga dimensi. Busana ini terinspirasi dari lukisan Rokoko Venesia abad ke-18 dan dilengkapi dengan ekor gaun menyapu lantai sepanjang empat meter.
"It’s an honor to attend with Donatella, one that I don’t take lightly," ujar Blake Lively, dikutip dari Vogue.
Lively menjelaskan bahwa kehadirannya tahun ini terasa istimewa karena merupakan momen pertamanya setelah melahirkan anak keempatnya bersama Ryan Reynolds.
"I haven’t been since giving birth to my fourth child. Every year I am a different version of myself than the last, so to be able to stand in the version of myself that I am today—and all the experiences I‘ve had—in strength and confidence is important to me. So is staying home on the couch with my kids in pajamas. Getting to do both is an honor I will never stop being grateful for," kata Lively.
Perancang busana Donatella Versace memberikan apresiasi tinggi atas pemilihan busana dari arsip lama merek miliknya tersebut.
"Blake looks stunning in archive Atelier Versace," cetus Donatella Versace.
Donatella menambahkan bahwa Lively telah menciptakan banyak momen ikonik bersama Versace di tangga Met Gala selama bertahun-tahun, dan penampilan kali ini bukan merupakan pengecualian.
"She has had so many iconic Versace moments at The Met, and tonight is no exception," tambah Donatella Versace.
Sesuai dengan tema "Fashion Is Art", Lively sengaja memilih potongan sejarah untuk menunjukkan bahwa pakaian merupakan sebuah kanvas yang bercerita.
"Because the theme is based in art, I wanted to wear an archival piece," kata Blake Lively.
Ia menilai bahwa menggunakan karya yang mampu bertahan melampaui waktu memberikan makna tersendiri dalam penampilannya.
"Clothing really is a canvas, and it tells a story, so to be able to pull from a piece that has its own history, and has stood the test of time, felt special," tutur Lively.
Detail gaun tersebut mencakup korset yang dihiasi batu permata berwarna merah muda, kuning, koral, hingga ungu. Pada bagian pinggul, terdapat empat struktur tiga dimensi yang menyerupai arsitektur gereja Barok.
"What made this piece ‘the one,’ is that the gown is the color of both a sunrise and a sunset, representing so much beauty, warmth and the many layers and nuances in the closing of one day and the beginning of another," jelas Blake Lively.
Lively mengungkapkan ketertarikannya pada karya seni yang memiliki kedalaman cerita personal dan interpretatif.
"Honoring the cycles of life and time in the most beautiful way. Art that has personal, interpretive, and meaningful stories within them is the work that moves me most as a fan," ucap Lively.
Melengkapi penampilannya, Lively membawa tas khusus dari Judith Leiber Couture yang menampilkan karya seni dari keempat anaknya.
"Having my kids with me (in any way possible) is always the best feeling, so that will always take the cake," kata Blake Lively.
Jana Matheson selaku EVP dan Chief Creative Officer Judith Leiber Couture menyatakan bahwa timnya selalu menikmati kolaborasi kreatif bersama Lively.
"The team and I always enjoy it when Blake reaches out with special projects. Her love of sparkle and touch of whimsy make her a dream client," ujar Jana Matheson.
Matheson menjelaskan bahwa tas tersebut menggunakan bentuk minaudière baru dengan empat sisi agar seluruh gambar dari anak-anak Lively bisa disertakan.
"This season’s clutch, featuring her children’s artwork, is an especially meaningful touch. We used a new minaudière shape with four sides, so each of her children’s drawings could be included. What better way to bring your four little ones to a black-tie event than by carrying them with you on your clutch?" papar Jana Matheson.
Lively sebelumnya dikenal dengan gaun bertema Patung Liberty pada 2022 dan desain merah-emas pada 2018, yang semuanya merupakan rancangan Versace.
"My favorite pieces I’ve been lucky enough to wear to The Met have been creations with Versace," ungkap Blake Lively.
Ia menegaskan bahwa merayakan karya Donatella melalui busana arsip yang belum pernah dipakai sebelumnya memberikan makna mendalam bagi perjalanan kariernya.
"Given that this is a significant year for the brand and for Donatella, it was such an honor to be able to celebrate her work, and the history of it in an archival piece and one that has never been worn before. My kids were also with me helping and giving input. To be able to create surrounded by and alongside people I love, gives the entire look such meaning to me," pungkas Lively.
