The hospitality stars of “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” the Met Gala’s most stylish masterpieces, and what everyone was talking about at HD Expo 2026. All that and more in this week’s Five on Friday.
Iconic artwork inspires this year’s Met Gala fashion
Inscribed Body, part of the Costume Institutes’s “Costume Art” exhibit; photo by Anna-Marie Kellen/The Metropolitan Museum of Art
If we enjoy the same therapeutic escapism looking at fashion as we do looking at art, then this year’s Met Gala may heal us all. Both mediums were synthesized across a runway of celebrity couture that invoked a medley of iconic artwork to herald the opening of the museum’s “Costume Art” exhibition. An explainer from Vogue highlighted some of the most notable artworks animating the carpet this past Monday. Gracie Abrams stunned with her ornate (but very tasteful) homage to Gustav Klimt’s “Adele Bloch-Bauer I,” while Hunter Schafer delivered (as always) in a refined reference to Klimt’s “Mäda Primavesi.” Kim Kardashian channeled Allen Jones’ “Body Armour” alongside Heidi Klum, who showed up in a ghostly reinterpretation of Giovanni Strazza’s bust, “The Veiled Virgin.” Speaking of veils, Queen Mother Madonna left us gagged wearing a performative design inspired by Leonora Carrington’s “The Temptation of St. Anthony. Fragment II,” complete with an entourage to carry her dramatic headwear. Luke Evans also represented the gays in head-to-toe leather inspired by the quintessential drawings by Tom of Finland. Artist Amy Sherald even used herself as a muse, appearing on the red carpet in a Thom Browne ensemble inspired by her 2013 painting “Miss Everything (Unsuppressed Deliverance).” For this writer’s money though, no one nailed it quite as well as Emma Chamberlain, who embodied watercolor splendor in custom handpainted Mugler.
Can you name every New York restaurant in “The Devil Wears Prada 2”?
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If, like this writer, you made a point to visit your local cinema last weekend to see “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” you probably noticed the interiors as much as the apparel. Against a cavalcade of drama befalling the fashion and editorial industries, a series of beloved New York backdrops host the characters we’ve missed during their return to the silver screen. Some legendary hospitality destinations made cameos including the recently revitalized Waldorf Astoria New York. Tribeca institution Bubby’s appeared frequently (as it also did in FX series “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette”) while Jack’s Wife Freda popped up nearby in Soho. Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt also share fries and forgiveness at Marlow East in the film’s denouement. Despite its appearance in the trailer, the Long Island Bar in Cobble Hill was not actually featured in the final cut—which is fine because it’s already hard enough to get a table there.
Meet the first U.S. chief brand architect
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Peter Arnell just made history—for better or for worse. According to Dezeen, the American design executive has been named the inaugural U.S. chief brand architect. He will hold office within the newly formed National Design Studio, helming efforts to shape the identity of a “different type of government.” Bringing forth expertise gleaned from past collaborations with brands like DKNY, Samsung, Unilever, Chrysler, and even the Fire Department of the City of New York, Arnell joins the studio as it overhauls government websites and launches new ones like Trump RX (just what our healthcare system needs). “This government, unlike many, wants to move at lightning speed,” Arnell tells Dezeen. “I think the largest challenge that we all face is keeping up with the extraordinary amount of powerful demands and incredible desires that have been coming into the office of National Design at a rate that is truly 10 times over the private sector.”
Meow Wolf cofounder to explore wellness
Rendering courtesy of Submersive
Experiential art concept Meow Wolf has dizzied and dazzled the masses in Las Vegas, Denver, and beyond for nearly a decade. Now, cofounder Corvas Brinkerhoff has decided to launch a much more grounding experience. The Architect’s Newspaper reports that Brinkerhoff will introduce a 20,000-square-foot “art bathhouse” in Austin. Set to open in summer 2027, Submersive will elevate wellness hydrotherapy with modern technology including light installations and projection art. Drawing upon Japanese and Turkish bathing culture, the space will comprise 12 unique rooms and a central gathering hub as well. Color me curious!
A recap of HD Expo 2026
Chelsea Hershelman, CoralTree Hospitality, and Dane Patunoff, KHP Capital Partners, during the Local Meets Luxury: Designing Authentic Experiences that Resonate panel; photo by Caphsr
That’s a wrap on this year’s HD Expo in Las Vegas! The show floor was abuzz with expert insights across panel sessions that examined the present and future hospitality industry. Key takeaways affirm the imperative of wellness consideration at all levels while ushering in a new luxury precedent of greater restraint and context. The balance of business and design acumen was also highlighted during talks, along with the value of multisensory design and the precision required to generate emotional resonance in a project. The floor was also animated with glamorous and experiential booths beckoning visitors to explore new launches and connect with the industry’s top makers. The annual Best Booth Awards recognized Williams-Sonoma Business to Business with the year’s top prize alongside winners in 10 other categories. Ingenuity was also celebrated at the 22nd annual HD Awards on May 5th, where the Standard, Brussels received Best in Show in projects. Kevin Barry Art Advisory took home the same honor in products for its art program at Colorado’s Chamonix Casino Hotel as well. Oh, and did we mention all the parties?
Thanks to all of this year’s attendees, advertisers, and speakers. Get home safe and get some rest—next year’s show will be here before we know it!