Watch: Lena Dunham Reveals Her Met Gala 2026 Look Was Inspired by Blood-Spattered Art
Lena Dunham had a bloody good time at the 2026 Met Gala.
In keeping with the night’s “Fashion Is Art” dress code, the Girls alum and Valentino designer AlessandroMichele found inspiration from ArtemisiaGentileschi‘s 17th century painting “Judith Slaying Holofernes” as the jumping off point for her feathered and sequined red Valentino gown.
“I shared that inspiration with Alessandro,” Lena told Vogue, “but because his brain works in the most magical ways, rather than leaning into the Renaissance garments or the swords or any of it, he was attracted to a particular blood spatter on the neck of Holofernes.”
And while the designer offered Lena a straightforward interpretation of the artwork for the “Costume Art”-themed gala on May 4 at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lena found herself leaning towards the abstract version.
“Obviously, that’s what I was going to choose,” the 39-year-old said. “I love how playful he is while also having this incredible amount of technical skill, and also having a sense of humor and also taking things very seriously.”
Lena added, “I feel this dress embodies all of it.” (See all the stars at the Met Gala here.)
And from the moment the Famesick author knew she’d be attending the Costume Institute benefit as a member of the host committee—withBeyoncé,Nicole Kidman,Venus Williams andAnna Wintouron co-chair duty—Lena knew she wanted to work with Valentino’s Alessandro.
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“I wrote him a long, elaborate fan letter about what his work means to me,” she shared with Vogue. “I was lucky enough that he responded and said that he was up for the task.”
Lena’s role on the host committee—marking her first time back at the event since 2019—was also a “vote of confidence” from Anna, as the longtime editor knew what Lena “was going through physically.”
“I felt like they were saying, ‘We see you’re feeling better. You’re in your body. You can do this,’” Lena said, “It’s an honor to be invited, and I want to rise to the occasion when I can.”
For a look at all the stars who rose to the occasion of the Met Gala, keep reading.
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
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Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
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Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
David Fisher/Shutterstock
David Fisher/Shutterstock
Head to E! Online for every must-see moment from the Met Gala 2026.
