Dwayne Johnson Turns Heads at 2026 Met Gala With Thom Browne Skirt Look

Dwayne Johnson made his debut at the 2026 Met Gala on Monday, turning heads with a custom all-black Thom Browne outfit that featured a pleated skirt layered over trousers. The look included a black mohair tailcoat, a white vest, a bow tie, and over 350 meters of hand-pleated silk ribbons arranged in what the designer described as a “skeletal composition.”

Johnson appeared at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art with his wife, Lauren Hashian, dressed in a Thom Browne white halter neck gown. He also completed the appearance with a multimillion-dollar watch that drew attention on the red carpet. The actor's attire instantly became one of the night's most talked-about looks, thanks to the skirt, which prompted buzz both online and among reporters in attendance.

When asked about wearing a skirt on the Met Gala carpet, Johnson explained that the choice was inspired by his Polynesian heritage. He said Thom Browne’s team had initially asked if he would feel comfortable wearing the pleated skirt as part of the design. Johnson said he immediately embraced the idea because skirts, or lavalavas, are common in Polynesian culture. “The most masculine men wear lavalavas and skirts,” he explained while discussing the cultural meaning behind the outfit.

A lavalava is a traditional garment worn throughout Polynesian and Oceanic cultures and is commonly used in schools, workplaces, and even police uniforms in some regions. Johnson's comments connected the choice of clothes to a bigger conversation about cultural identity and masculinity. He said that people shouldn't judge traditional clothing based on narrow stereotypes.

The 2026 Met Gala's theme was "Fashion Is Art." The show that went with it, "Costume Art," looked at how clothes, culture, and the human body have changed over time. During red carpet interviews, Johnson commented on the theme and explored the concept of fashion as artistic expression. He discussed with fellow actor Colman Domingo how fashion may become "a walking expression of art." When asked if he considered himself "the art or the artist," Johnson said he thought he was "both," and that it felt like "a cool place to be in."

The event's co-chairs included Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour.

This was not the first time Johnson publicly discussed masculinity and representation. Earlier this year at CinemaCon, while promoting Disney’s live-action Moana adaptation, he said that “real masculinity” means empowering and supporting women. Johnson described the story’s lead character as “a warrior” rather than a princess and said his role as Maui is centered on helping and supporting the heroine. He added that men of all ages should champion the women in their lives.

His comments at both CinemaCon and the Met Gala reflected a consistent message about redefining traditional ideas around masculinity, culture, and self-expression.

Outside of fashion and public appearances, Johnson remains one of Hollywood’s busiest stars. He recently appeared in The Smashing Machine, which earned critical acclaim and received an Academy Award nomination for best makeup and hairstyling. Johnson also continues his role as a board member of TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of WWE. He is set to return later this year in Jumanji: Open World and is also expected to appear in Fast Forever in 2028.