Lindsey Vonn walked the cream carpet at the 2026 Met Gala.
It’s a simple statement with a deeper meaning: in February, Vonn almost lost her leg in a severe downhill ski crash while competing in the Milano Cortina Olympics. Three months and multiple surgeries later, it feels like a minor miracle that she’s still standing. (Not an exaggeration—Vonn suffered from severe compartment syndrome, a dangerous condition where pressure mounts in the leg, restricting blood flow and causing widespread nerve damage. Her surgeon told Vanity Fair it came close to amputation.)
For her public comeback she chose a tulle-skirted gown by Thom Browne. Inspired by the classical Grecian and Roman marble statues within the Metropolitan Museum of Art, it featured 50,000 glass beads in shades of white, gray, and silver. In a statement, the brand describes their design as a “trompe-l’œil,” as the pattern sinks into Vonn’s skin, making her look half statue herself. As for jewelry, she wore Sidney Garber.
Although Vonn hasn’t ruled out a return to skiing (“I don’t like to close the door on anything, because you just never know what’s going to happen,” she told Vanity Fair) her appearance at the Met Gala does signify what a post-professional athlete life looks like for Vonn. Like Venus Williams, who is a co-chair of this year’s benefit, Vonn has proven to have crossover appeal into the fashion spheres. Perhaps we can expect to see her at February fashion weeks now that she doesn’t have to go train on the slopes.
For more from the Met Gala 2026 red carpet, follow along with Vanity Fair’s live blog for live updates, breaking news, and all the designer details. Brush up on what the dress code really means, see who made VF’s list of the 100 best Met Gala looks of all time, and read our after-party guide.
