Blake Lively Returns to the 2026 Met Gala in Archival Versace Gown

On Monday night, actress Blake Lively attended the 2026 Met Gala, marking her first appearance since 2022. She entered the red carpet wearing an archival Atelier Versace dress originally presented in the spring 2006 collection. The outfit was highlighted by event observers as a continuation of Lively’s long-standing relationship with the Versace brand.

Vogue

Lively has been a regular presence on the Met steps, having attended ten times before the 2026 event. Her most recent prior attendance occurred in 2022. Between 2022 and 2026, she did not appear at the gala, citing the birth of her fourth child as a primary factor in her hiatus.

Vogue

• Blake Lively – Actress and mother of four, noted for frequent Met Gala appearances.

Vogue

• Donatella Versace – Creative director of Versace and co-host of the 2026 gala.

Vogue

• Atelier Versace – The haute-couture line of Versace that produced the spring 2006 dress Lively wore.

Vogue

Lively conveyed that attending the gala alongside Donatella Versace was an honor she did not take lightly. She emphasized that her return reflects personal growth since her last appearance, noting that each year she presents a different version of herself. Lively also highlighted the importance of balancing public engagements with family life, describing the ability to alternate between the gala and home life as a source of gratitude.

Vogue

Donatella Versace responded by praising Lively’s appearance, describing the look as stunning and situating it within a broader pattern of Lively’s “iconic Versace moments” at previous Met Galas.

Vogue

• “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.” — Blake Lively, Actress

Vogue

• “She has had so many iconic Versace moments at the Met, and tonight is no exception.” — Donatella Versace, Creative Director, Versace

Vogue

• Met Gala attendances prior to 2026: 10

Vogue

• Last Met Gala appearance before 2026: 2022

Vogue

• Number of children: 4 (fourth child born prior to 2026)

Vogue

• Dress origin: Spring 2006 Atelier Versace collection

Vogue

Lively’s appearance underscores the interplay between high-profile fashion events and personal milestones such as motherhood. By publicly acknowledging both her professional visibility and domestic responsibilities, she reinforces a narrative of multifaceted identity that aligns with broader cultural discussions about work-life integration among public figures.

Vogue

No discrepancies or missing information were identified within the available source material.

Vogue