NEW YORK: Hollywood actor Dwayne Johnson made a striking appearance at the 2026 Met Gala alongside his wife Lauren Hashian, wearing a custom-designed outfit that drew widespread attention on the red carpet.
Johnson opted for a black mohair tailcoat and bow tie paired with a matching pleated skirt, designed by Thom Browne.
According to Variety, his look was inspired by Polynesian culture, where skirts, including lavalavas, are traditionally worn by men. The ensemble reportedly featured more than 350 metres of hand-pleated silk ribbons arranged in a “skeletal composition”.
Speaking about his outfit, Johnson said he felt “great” and explained that the design reflected cultural influences. He noted that in Polynesian tradition, “the most masculine men” wear lavalavas and skirts.
“This is part of our culture. We rock lavalavas, we rock skirts,” he said, adding that the concept aligned with his understanding of masculinity.
This is not the first time Johnson has spoken about the idea of masculinity. At CinemaCon 2026, he said that “real masculinity” involves empowering and supporting women.
“The hero of our story is not a princess. She’s a warrior. All men of all ages, we should empower, support and champion all women. That’s what real masculinity looks like,” he said.
The Met Gala is widely regarded as one of the most exclusive events in the global fashion calendar, attended by leading figures from film, politics, music and culture.
(With inputs from ANI)