Heidi Klum arrived at the 2026 Met Gala dressed as a Roman marble statue for the "Fashion Is Art" theme, inspired by Raffaele Monti's 19th-century sculpture "Veiled Vestal." She collaborated with makeup artist Mike Marino to replicate the draped look using soft foam latex, creating an illusion that fooled guests into thinking she was part of the décor. Klum described the outfit as allowing her to move and even play pranks inside the museum walls, noting it required an intensive cleanup with traces of makeup remaining on her arm after showering twice.

Marino, who cited Michelangelo and Bernini as idols, spent months planning the elaborate costume, which involved whipping foam latex into a spongy material, molding it to Klum's body, and painting intricate marble details with iridescent spray and a flexible sealer. The ensemble included a bodysuit with hidden zippers, separate sleeves, and a face piece glued to hers; her hands featured smooth palms and dimpled knuckles to mimic marble. Klum, known for her Halloween costume commitments, joked that she could breeze past the four- to five-hour makeup process—her last Halloween look took eight hours—demonstrating her professionalism as a "queen of Halloween."