The Sweet Hidden Detail You May Have Missed In Blake Lively's 2026 Met Gala Look

A fashion lover could get happily lost going through Blake Lively's best Met Gala outfits over the years. She's a regular on the famous NYC staircase and on the best-dressed lists that follow the event. "Fashion is Art" was the dress code for the 2026 Met Gala, and so Lively chose an archival Atelier Versace gown from the house's spring 2006 collection, inspired by 18th-century Venetian Rococo paintings. We'd totally understand if the dreamy dress made you wonder about archive fashion, what it means, and how you can get your hands on timeless pieces. To accompany the gown, Lively carried a jewel-encrusted, custom-made Judith Leiber Couture bag crafted to mimic artwork by her four children, whom she shares with husband Ryan Reynolds. 

Lively spoke to Vogue about her 2026 Met Gala look, explaining that she and the designer wanted the bag to resemble an iconic art piece within a frame. But since the designer hadn't yet decided on which famous artwork would go in the frame, Lively had her own idea. "I said, 'Would you, actually, if you're gonna make it custom, would you do my kids?'" the actor said. 

The "Gossip Girl" star was positively radiant in her Met Gala look, and perhaps it was the jewel-encrusted tribute to her children that gave her that extra glow. "Having my kids with me [in any form] is always the best feeling, so that will always take the cake," she said. In a lovely way, it seems the little ones have helped buoy the stunning style transformation of Blake Lively. Jana Matheson, EVP and chief creative officer of Judith Leiber Couture, told Vogue, "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."

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds started off as pals after meeting on the set of "Green Lantern." They officially started dating in 2011, married in 2012, and have since had four children together: James, Inez, Betty, and Olin. Lively was one of the earliest celebrities to embrace a modern idea of maternity style, unafraid to show off her bump — and some skin — in regular clothes and high heels. She told Elle in a January 2015 interview, "When I put on Louboutins while super pregnant, it makes me feel more empowered in that moment. It gives me that extra oomph."

Lively has found a way to balance her career with motherhood, and though she's sometimes able to integrate the two (like with her artwork purse), her kids are the biggest influence on her decisions. In 2020, the actor chatted with E! News while making rounds during New York Fashion Week, and discussed the way becoming a mom has influenced her career — particularly when it comes to which roles she chooses to accept. "I guess I really have to really, really, really, really love it, because I'm just obsessed with my kids," Lively said. "So, yeah, I think it's gotta really be worth it to take me away."