The story behind Sabrina Carpenter’s Met Gala 2026 dress inspired by Audrey Hepburn

Sabrina Carpenter looked like a total superstar as she made a number of outfit changes at the Met Gala 2026, but it was her first look on the red carpet that set the tone for the night

Pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter stunned at the Met Gala in an extraordinary ensemble inspired by a timeless 1954 film with a remarkably fitting title. The Manchild singer, fresh from her Coachella headline performance, graced the red carpet wearing a bespoke Dior slit tulle creation by Jonathan Anderson.

The 26-year-old’s high-neck halter gown featured film strips adorned with rhinestones, perfectly aligned with the evening’s ‘Fashion is Art’ theme. Sabrina accessorised the ensemble with an exquisite jewelled headband and shimmering tulle train, paired with Louboutin heels.

In footage posted to TikTok, Sabrina revealed the inspiration behind her outfit, reports the Mirror US.

Host La La Anthony said: “This looks so good. “Please break this down to me. Everyone’s like, they don’t want to step on your film.

“It is film! It’s all made of film, which is my dream,” Sabrina replied.

“Jonathan Anderson, the genius that he is, and Dior, the whole team is so, I can’t even express my love and gratitude for them. We just finished all of my Coachella looks together and then they hopped right into making this dream dress and Jared Ellner, my stylist, we put it all together and it’s amazing.

“It’s from the movie Sabrina, which is one of my favourite movies of all time.”

Sabrina is a 1954 romantic comedy-drama featuring Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart.

The gown held additional meaning as the Met Gala took place on what would have marked Audrey Hepburn’s 97th birthday.

The fashion legend died in 1993, aged 63. Sabrina, who also sat on the glamorous event’s host committee alongside Zoë Kravitz, Sam Smith, Doja Cat, and others, took to the stage later that evening, delivering a selection of her own tracks, including Espresso and Please, Please, Please. She subsequently joined rock icon Stevie Nicks on stage to perform Fleetwood Mac’s Landslide.

As usual, Sabrina delighted fans with several outfit changes, initially gracing the stage in a 2018 Versace Tribute dress featuring images of Andy Warhol’s prints of Marilyn Monroe and James Dean. She subsequently donned a fringed golden gown by Bob Mackie.

The yearly gathering takes place on the first Monday in May. The celebrity-packed occasion serves as a fundraiser for The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York City.

Other luminaries attending this year included superstar vocalist Beyoncé, who marked her first Met Gala attendance in a decade, accompanied by her eldest daughter, Blue Ivy, and husband Jay-Z. The Lemonade artist, who is co-chairing this year’s gathering, donned a jewel-encrusted skeleton gown created by French designer Olivier Rousteing.