Serena Williams hit the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday in a pair of golden gladiator sandals. The tennis champion arrived in a high-low Marc Jacobs gown in shimmering metallic color, leaning into the night’s “Fashion Is Art” dress code to honor the “Costume Art” exhibition at the museum.
She paired the look with David Yurman jewelry and a sleek Audemars Piguet watch, but it was her heels that got all the attention. Williams showed off her legs in a pair of gold gladiator wrap-around heels. The straps featured leaf-like adornments that spiraled up her legs like twining vines. The straps climbed all the way to the thigh by wrapping their stems around her leg.
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The shoes featured a round toe design with a slim toe strap with a leaf on the vamp and a heel measuring around four inches. The design echoed many Greek and Roman-influenced designs that hit the red carpet at the event, including Anne Hathaway’s dress that featured a hand-painted Greek goddess on the skirt.
Gladiator sandals have a long history. They were originally crafted as durable, functional footwear for soldiers, as their leather straps provided both protection and ventilation, with the wrap-around structure keeping the sandals secure during long marches and even combat.
The Wyn Beauty founder has been a frequent guest at the Met Gala over the years. This year she also was there to support her older sister, Venus Williams, who is serving as one of the co-chairs for the 2026 event celebrating the “Costume Art” exhibit, alongside Beyoncé Knowles Carter, Nicole Kidman, and Anna Wintour.
The 2026 Met Gala took place on Monday at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. This year’s exhibition, “Costume Art,” celebrated fashion as an art form, with a dress code of “Fashion Is Art.” The event was cochaired by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour, with Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez-Bezos serving as honorary chairs. The annual benefit raises funds for the Met’s Costume Institute.