Pet Gala recreates Met Gala looks

Designer Anthony Rubio put dogs on a New York runway on May 18 in recreations of outfits worn earlier this month at the 2026 Met Gala. People reported on May 20 that the annual Pet Gala featured “a handful of fabulous pups” in canine versions of celebrity looks, including ensembles inspired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Anne Hathaway and A$AP Rocky. The event took place in New York City, two weeks after the Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, according to People’s report as republished by AOL. UPI photos from the event showed dogs dressed as celebrities at the 2026 Pet Gala in New York City on May 18. ### When did this year’s Pet Gala happen, and who organized it? May 18 was the date of this year’s Pet Gala, according to People’s report and UPI’s photo captions. Rubio, a pet couturier who has been recreating Met Gala looks for dogs for more than a decade, created the annual event, People said. This year’s edition took place at Cineplay in New York City, according to the same report. (aol.com) Sidewalk Dog, citing the 2026 event, said Rubio has turned the concept into a live runway since 2023. The outlet said the 2026 Pet Gala took place on Monday, May 18, and described Rubio as the organizer behind the show. ### Which dogs and celebrity looks were featured? Kimba the Chihuahua was among the dogs highlighted in coverage of the event. (aol.com) People said Kimba modeled a look based on Beyoncé, with a cape, jeweled headpiece and sparkling dress. UPI also identified Kimba in a photo caption as dressed as Beyoncé. BeBe the Pekingese wore a version of Anne Hathaway’s Met Gala look, and George the wirehaired dachshund appeared in an outfit inspired by A$AP Rocky’s pink coat and bow tie, according to People. (sidewalkdog.com) UPI’s gallery also named Tyra the Pomeranian as Rihanna and Bastian the Rat Terrier as Sam Smith. Sidewalk Dog’s recap added Chanel the Maltese as Nicole Kidman, Suki the Chinese crested as Kylie Jenner and Saya the mini pit bull as Cardi B. (aol.com) Chacha the Cockapoo appeared in separate coverage highlighted in the source briefing, which identified the dog as wearing a look inspired by Hailey Bieber. Telegraph image captions from May 19 also identified ChaCha in royal blue as referencing Bieber’s look. ### How did Rubio describe making the outfits? (aol.com) Rubio told People he started designing almost immediately after watching the Met Gala arrivals. “On the evening of the Met Gala, I tuned in to watch the celebrity arrivals, and almost instantly, I began to envision how I could translate those incredible looks into canine couture,” he said, according to the report. (telegraph.co.uk) Rubio also said he worked on the pieces over a two-week period. He told People he selected which looks to recreate with the original designers’ work and the gala theme in mind, then searched for the right fabrics and trims. He said the process was “both exhausting and exhilarating.” ### Was the event only about fashion? UPI’s captions said the event used dogs from shelters, rescue groups and social media influencers. (aol.com) Sidewalk Dog also reported that most of the dogs on the runway came from shelters rather than show circuits, and said the event raised money for the AKC Museum of the Dog. The 2026 show included a runway, photo stations and live commentary from Rubio, according to Sidewalk Dog. That report placed the event inside the AKC Museum of the Dog, while People’s account said this year’s gathering took place at Cineplay, indicating coverage described different parts or settings of the event. (upi.com) ### Where can readers see the next set of details? People’s May 20 report said readers could “read on” to see more dogs paying homage to the Met Gala’s biggest stars. UPI’s May 19 photo gallery also provides named captions for several dogs and their celebrity inspirations from the May 18 event in New York City. (aol.com) (sidewalkdog.com)