Met Gala 2026: American and independent brands shone on the red carpet

Under the flashing lights of the 2026 Met Gala, diamonds and bold signatures transformed the red carpet into a showcase of contemporary luxury: Between American giants and independent houses, jewelry also became an art form this evening! 

American brands, favorites of the stars

It was impossible to ignore the dominance of major American brands on the Met Gala 2026 red carpet. More than ever, celebrities favored brands capable of combining heritage, spectacular high jewelry, and visual storytelling.

There Maison Tiffany & Co. established herself as one of the big winners of the evening thanks to Rosé and Amanda SeyfriedFor her third appearance at the Met Gala, Rosé wore a spectacular Palm necklace from the Blue Book 2026 collection: Hidden GardenThe creation, entirely set with diamonds totaling over 30 carats, evoked the supple movement of palm leaves thanks to its delicate setting technique. It was paired with an architectural black dress. branded The Saint Laurent piece provided a striking contrast of modernity. The singer completed her look with diamond earrings totaling over 9 carats and a ring adorned with a cushion-cut diamond of over 7 carats. 

Amanda SeyfriedShe, too, dressed by Tiffany & Co., embodied a more romantic approach to High Jewelry American. Her yellow gold necklace and platinum combined emerald-cut blue zircons, emerald cabochons, and natural diamonds in a particularly dramatic composition. The icy hues of the stones perfectly complemented her powder pink Prada dress, while the Jean earrings Schlumberger “Five Leaves”, set with aquamarines and diamonds, they reinforced the couture spirit of the look. 

At the house of De Beers, Cara Delevingne demonstrated that Minimalism could also be spectacular. The model wore Individuality earrings from the collection Forces of Nature High JewelryInspired by the graphic stripes of the zebra, these creations combined multi-cut diamonds, white gold, and black lacquer in an aesthetic Art Deco particularly sophisticated. She added several sculptural rings, including an imposing cocktail ring set with a 20.34 carat diamond that literally captured all the flashes on the red carpet. 

The evening also marked a great moment for Jacob & Co. thanks to TylaThe South African singer, who has become a fixture on international red carpets, chose ultra-graphic jewelry playing on the accumulation of white diamonds and geometric volumes. True to the maximalist DNA of the maison New York-style, her look celebrated jewelry conceived as a true visual performance, almost sculptural.

Independent brands that stole the show

In contrast to the major historical houses, several independent labels have captivated fashion observers thanks to a more artistic and heritage-based approach to jewelry.

Belperron particularly shone thanks to Hailey Bieber. True to Suzanne Belperron's signature sculptural aesthetic, the model wore jewelry from the Virgin Gold collection, characterized by its sensual volume and almost antique lines. The minimalist ear clips and organic rings lent her look a particularly understated sophistication. in line with the current trend of “quiet luxury”. 

The presence of Buccellati on the arm of Kendall Jenner highlighted the importance of artisanal craftsmanship in contemporary luxury. Inspired by ancient statuary and the drapery of the Winged Victory of Samothrace, its silhouette was enhanced by pieces with finely chiseled textures, an emblematic signature of the maison Italian. The lace-like effects engraved in gold and the delicate settings reflected a very strong return to manual virtuosity and to jewelry designed as collector's items.

For his part, Leviev attracted everyone's attention thanks to Anok Yai. The model wore diamonds of spectacular proportions, showcased in ultra-contemporary settings that allowed the stone to almost float on the skin. This ethereal aesthetic, which prioritizes the purity of the diamond over excessive ornamentation, perfectly illustrates the current evolution of fine jewelry: more architectural creations, where light becomes the true primary material.

Finally, Rihanna once again confirmed her status as the undisputed queen of the Met Gala with a virtuoso mix of pieces branded Briony Raymond, DYNE, Fred Leighton and Glenn Spiro. His imposing silhouette Maison Margiela, covered in over 115,000 crystals and antique chains, was enhanced by an accumulation of vintage and contemporary jewelry. Among the most noteworthy pieces were Briony Raymond diamond-paved ear cuffs and a 1930s Suzanne Belperron ring set with a 3-carat central diamond. This layering of historical and contemporary references perfectly encapsulates the dominant jewelry trend of this 2026 edition: a sophisticated, assertive, and deeply narrative luxury.

Beyond the celebrities, the 2026 Met Gala primarily confirmed the meteoric rise of independent fashion houses in the styling strategies of stars. Where major labels once reigned supreme, stylists now seek out rarer brands capable of bringing singularity and cultural credibility to the looks.

What these houses tell us about current luxury

This 2026 edition of the Met Gala reveals a transformation in the codes of luxury jewelry. First, the spectacular return of heritage and vintage pieces This shows how essential history is once again becoming in the discourse of the houses. antique jewelry, rose-cut diamonds and references Art Deco They appeal to a generation of celebrities in search of authenticity and rarity.

The evening then confirmed the importance of storytelling. Now, a necklace or ring is valued not only for its carats, but also for the story it tells. Tiffany & Co. highlighted the botanical movement of its Hidden Garden collection. De Beers drew on graphic animal motifs, while Belperron claimed an almost museum-like artistic heritage.

Finally, the 2026 Met Gala dedicated a new vision of opulence: less rigid, more expressive and more cultural. Celebrities preferred jewelry capable of asserting an identity rather than simply demonstrating wealthBetween unapologetic maximalism, historical high jewelry and sculptural minimalism, the red carpet proved that jewelry has become the true centerpiece of contemporary fashion.

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