Lena Dunham went with a reinvention of an iconic Valentino shoe for the 2026 Met Gala in New York City on Monday, posing on the red carpet in one of Alessandro Michele’s takes on the Rockstud.

Dunham was outfitted in a bold red Valentino look for the star-studded occasion, where she is serving as part of the host committee. Her striking strapless gown featured sparkling sequins and voluminous feathers, with a high slit allowing for a leg and shoe-baring moment. (Her red sequins and feathers moment echoed Nicole Kidman’s Chanel look.)

For her footwear, Dunham showcased a stappy slingback Rockstud pump with a narrow, squared toe featuring a platinum-finish metal toe cap. This gold-hued accent aligned with the platinum finish pyramid-shaped studs which decorated the straps; the signature embellishment is inspired by bugnatos found in Roman architecture.

This particular Rockstud silhouette, featured as part of Valentino’s pre-fall 2026 collection, has been embraced by a range of celebrities since its debut. Anne Hathaway has worn them for “The Devil Wears Prada 2” press, while Dakota Johnson put a black pair on to attend the brand’s spring 2026 couture show.

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.

Find more 2026 Met Gala shoe moments below.