Romeo Beckham steps onto the Met Gala red carpet in a Burberry suit with references to the world of Robert Mapplethorpe.
- The son of David Beckham and Victoria Beckham takes his first step onto fashion’s most important red carpet with a look rich in artistic references.
While David and Victoria Beckham were once again absent from the Met Gala 2026, it was Romeo Beckham who took their place on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. At 23, he made his debut at the event with a proposal that confirms his growing presence within the fashion industry.
His appearance comes as no surprise. In recent months, Romeo Beckham has become a regular figure at fashion weeks, walking for brands such as Balenciaga, Versace, H&M and Burberry, steadily building a distinct identity within the circuit.
For his first Met Gala, he turned to Burberry, a brand with which he has maintained a relationship since his early days in fashion. The look, designed by Daniel Lee, was based on a familiar foundation: a double-breasted suit reinterpreted with contemporary detailing.
Crafted in black grain-de-poudre wool, the ensemble featured plongé leather lapels and was completed with a shirt, tie and embroidered pocket square in the same material. A seemingly understated proposal that concealed a more provocative reference, aligned with the evening’s dress code, “Fashion is Art”.
The design included a direct nod to Robert Mapplethorpe, whose work explored the underground scene and BDSM aesthetic of late 20th-century New York. This influence was subtly translated through leather finishes and the structure of the look.
“It feels very considered and personal. I usually go for double-breasted suits, so Daniel took one from my own wardrobe as a starting point and reworked it to make it more modern and special,” Romeo Beckham explained.
The result was a restrained yet conceptually charged aesthetic, in line with his personal vision of style. “I’m drawn to more understated looks that still convey strength,” he added, also citing figures such as Pharrell Williams and A$AP Rocky as references that have shaped his perspective on the gala.
Beyond the styling, his Met Gala debut carries symbolic weight. Romeo Beckham began his relationship with Burberry at just 12 years old, fronting campaigns alongside Cara Delevingne and Edie Campbell. More than a decade later, that connection comes full circle — or evolves — on one of the most significant stages in global fashion.
“I have very strong memories of that first job. Being here now, at my first Met Gala, with Burberry and representing a British brand, makes it even more special,” he said.
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