Blake Lively is celebrating fashionably, just hours after it was announced that her “It Ends With Us” lawsuit has reached a settlement. The actress was all smiles at fashion’s biggest night, the Met Gala, marking one of her high-profile appearances since her legal battle began in 2024, and her first since the resolution. Lively’s Met Gala attendance was her first since she co-chaired the event in 2022.
On May 4, Blake Lively’s counsel, in conjunction with the “It Ends With Us” attorneys, released a statement announcing the settlement of the case, two weeks before the scheduled trial date. “Raising awareness, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of domestic violence survivors — and all survivors — is a goal that we stand behind,” the statement read.
No other details about the case were disclosed in the statement, only noting that the settlement signifies “closure” in a case that has troubled both parties for close to two years.
On the same night, Lively celebrated by attending the 2026 Met Gala in a Versace gown fit for a princess. The actress had a beaming smile as she posed for photos and showed off her ensemble.
The Actress’ Archival Versace Dress
The 2026 Met Gala theme was “Costume Art,” encouraging attendees to wear fashionable walking works of art. Lively chose to wear a pastel-colored Versace gown from the spring 2006 archives, complete with a 13-foot train.
The brand’s artistic director, Donatella Versace, told Vogue, “Blake looks stunning in archive Atelier Versace. She has had so many iconic Versace moments at the Met, and tonight is no exception.”
Per the premiere fashion magazine, the dress was inspired by 18th-century Venetian Rococo paintings. The bodice had a structured silhouette and was embroidered with pastel gemstones, while the skirt created a three-dimensional structure reminiscent of Baroque church architecture, with the soft colors representing a sunset. “As in grand ceiling decorations, this is not simply a dress to be worn, but a space to inhabit,” the Italian luxury fashion house noted.
Blake Livley Accessorized With Her Children’s Artwork
The actress’s accessories were carefully chosen as well. Her purse drew particular interest, which had a special significance to Lively. Although she attended the event without her husband, Ryan Reynolds, she brought a piece of her family with her.
She paired her gown with a custom-made Judith Leiber Couture bag that incorporated the paintings of her four children with Reynolds: James, Inez, Betty, and Olin. “I’m shy too, so I just like to have the kids with me. Isn’t that special?” Lively said on the red carpet.
The brand’s chief creative officer, Jana Matheson, told Vogue, “We used a minaudière shape with four sides, so each of her children’s drawings could be included. What better way to bring your four little ones to a black-tie event than by carrying them with you on your clutch?”
The Actress Was A Co-Chair At Her Last Met Gala
2026 marks Lively’s return to the biggest night in fashion since 2022, when she co-chaired the Met Gala along with Reynolds, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Regina King. That year, the theme was “In America: An Anthology of Fashion.”
At their last Met Gala appearance, husband and wife wore Versace. Lively chose a column dress from the brand’s archives, which was decked with crystals, sequins, metallic leather, and an oversized bow tied at her waist. The actress astonished spectators when the bow was untied, revealing a long ombré train reminiscent of the colors of the Statue of Liberty.
Blake Lively On Her Fashion Philosophy
Lively’s return to the Met Gala marks her 11th time attending the prestigious event. The actress first attended in 2008, wearing a Ralph Lauren gown. Over the years, she has showcased a range of designer looks from brands such as Burberry, Gucci, Chanel, and Marchesa, while returning to Versace on five separate occasions.
In 2024, Lively shared her fashion philosophy, calling it “method dressing.” “My style is just all over the place. I don’t think anyone would go, like, ‘Oh, that’s super her!’ I tend to dress like my characters when I’m doing a movie because fashion is always the way in,” the actress explained. “My closet is an amalgamation of that, and then my own style is an amalgamation of that. I’m just kind of a blend of all of them,” she shared.
