American content creator Emma Chamberlain opened the red carpet at the 2026 Met Gala in New York. For the iconic gala, Chamberlain wore a gown by Mugler, one of fashion’s most prestigious houses. Alongside its creative colour combination, the dress stands out as the work of Portuguese designer Miguel Castro Freitas.
The gown, which became one of the most striking looks of the night at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, is distinctive for being entirely hand-painted, with vibrant brushstrokes of yellow and blue, a clear nod to Impressionist paintings and this year’s gala theme, "Fashion is Art".
This 'work of art' was crafted by Miguel Castro Freitas, a Portuguese designer born in Santarém, who currently heads the creative direction at Mugler. The designer studied at Central Saint Martins, the prestigious London fashion school, graduating in 2004.
Prior to joining the French maison, the Portuguese creator built a 20-year international career, working with brands such as Dior, Givenchy, and Yves Saint Laurent. He took over the artistic direction at Mugler in April last year.
