Philip described the experience as overwhelming, telling Vogue: “For so long, disabled people were not represented anywhere.

“The thought of even being able to exist at an event like this… nobody even went there. To go from that to now, somehow finding myself there – I can’t say how blessed and honoured I feel attending.”

The 25-year-old wore a creation by designer Louise Linderoth, who is also a wheelchair user.

Philip’s attendance marks another milestone in an impressive career. In 2018, aged just 17, Philip became the first Black, transgender, and physically disabled model to secure representation with a major modelling agency after signing with Elite Modelling.

In 2021, Philip debuted exclusively for Moschino’s spring/summer 2022 show at New York Fashion Week, becoming the first wheelchair-using model to represent a major luxury fashion house.

Since then, Philip has graced the covers of numerous publications, including British Vogue. The model appeared in May 2023 alongside disability advocate Sinéad Burke and actor Selma Blair.

The 25-year-old has also featured in campaigns for brands including Dove, Sephora and Nike, whilst maintaining a regular presence on the runway for New York label Collina Strada.

Beyond attending the gala, Philip served as one of the mannequin models for this year’s Costume Institute exhibition, which focused on different body types, including disabled, ageing, and pregnant forms.

Speaking to Vogue during the event’s live stream, Philip reflected on the processes behind the display: “They scanned my entire body, head to toe… I feel really held,and recognised, and understood, and finally valued by my industry that I love and I’ve contributed so much to.

“And it feels like a homecoming, almost. It feels very full circle, and it feels very aligned.”

Philip’s appearance on the Met Gala red carpet was far from the only one that garnered plenty of attention from fans at home.

Legendary singer Madonna caused a stir when she took to the red carpet accompanied by a team of assistants.

In a gothic ensemble, Madonna was inspired by British-Mexican artist Leonora Carrington’s painting The Temptation of Saint Anthony, opting for an all-black ensemble complete with a ship atop her headpiece.

The look led some fans to brand the singer “unrecognisable” as many had to double-take at the performer’s striking new look.

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Meanwhile, actress Blake Lively was all smiles as she attended the event just hours after it was confirmed that she and her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni had settled their legal dispute.

Katy Perry also hit headlines with her rather futuristic and baffling appearance alongside her showbiz pals.

The I Kissed A Girl hitmaker wore a metallic mask, which covered her face until she opened it in front of the cameras on the red carpet.

And American Horror Story star Sarah Paulson also caused controversy with a political stand against one of the event’s sponsors, Jeff Bezos.

Met Gala 2026: Sarah Paulson took a political stand | GETTY

While some big names, notably Olivia Rodrigo, endorsed a boycott of the event, Ms Paulson opted for a cryptic dollar-bill mask in a seeming swipe at the Amazon founder.

However, the 51-year-old’s protest appeared to hit a bum note with fans at home, with Ms Paulson being branded “tone-deaf” given the event requires attendees to fork out $100k for a ticket.