Celebrating Black dandyism, self-expression, and next-level tailoring—this year’s Met Gala delivered some of its most unforgettable looks yet.
On Monday, May 5, 2025, the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City once again transformed into the most glamorous runway in the world as celebrities, designers, and cultural icons gathered for the 2025 Met Gala.
This year's theme was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” celebrating Black dandyism, which refers to a tradition where Black individuals, particularly men, used fashion as a form of self-expression and resistance. This rich history, deeply intertwined with the experiences of Black people, made the theme really powerful.
But the theme could also be risky; one significant concern was the potential for cultural appropriation. Given the Met Gala's history of inviting celebrities who have been criticized for appropriating Black culture, there was apprehension about non-Black attendees misrepresenting or modifying Black fashion without understanding its historical context.
The evening’s dress code, “Tailored for You,” encouraged attendees to put their unique spin on classic menswear and infuse it with personal style and creativity. With Anna Wintour joined by co-chairs Pharrell Williams, Colman Domingo, A$AP Rocky, Lewis Hamilton, and honorary co-chair LeBron James, the 2025 Met Gala was more than a celebration of fashion—it was a bold tribute to history and identity.
The red carpet featured creations that incorporated elements reflecting Black cultural heritage and contemporary fashion trends.The color palette was dominated by black and white, with many attendees opting for classic monochrome outfits. Accessories played an important role in highlighting Black dandyism on the red carpet: standout pieces like intricate jewelry, pocket watches, and even canes paid homage to the elegance of the past.
This theme was inspired by Monica L. Miller’s seminal work, Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. The exhibition explores how Black individuals have historically used fashion to assert identity and challenge societal norms.
For the first time in its history, the Costume Institute presents an exhibition solely focused on menswear and exclusively featuring designers of color. With pieces ranging from 18th-century livery to contemporary works by Virgil Abloh, Grace Wales Bonner, and Pharrell Williams, the exhibit spans centuries of expression, politics, and pride across twelve powerful themes.
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Teyana Taylor in Ruth E. Carter
Teyana Taylor captivated this year's Met Gala with a theatrical, Victorian-inspired ensemble. She wore a three-piece suit featuring black and gray stripes, complemented by a red cape with voluminous shoulders and floral appliqués. Her accessories—a top hat, gloves, cane, and matching platform shoes—added to the look's dramatic flair.
Taylor's outfit was a bold interpretation of Black dandyism, blending historical elements with contemporary fashion. This wasn’t just a costume; it was a statement about presence, identity, and owning the room.
Rihanna in Marc Jacobs
Rihanna never misses, and this year she proved once again why she's the queen of the Met Gala. She made her entrance revealing her third pregnancy in a custom Marc Jacobs. Her look featured a black-and-gray pinstripe corseted dress, paired with a cropped wool jacket, and an oversized black fedora designed by Stephen Jones. The ensemble paid homage to early 20th-century menswear and Black dandyism, blending traditional tailoring with Rihanna's signature flair.
Doechii in Louis Vuitton
Doechii, the Grammy-winning rapper, embraced the theme with a Louis Vuitton ensemble co-designed with Pharrell Williams. Her outfit featured monogrammed checkered shorts, a cropped blazer, a maroon bow tie, and calf-length socks. The look was inspired by Monica L. Miller’s book “Slaves to Fashion,” aligning with the gala’s focus on Black dandyism and fashion history.
Laura Harrier in Gap Studio
Laura Harrier turned heads in a unique ensemble designed by Zac Posen for Gap Studio. Using Gap and turning it into something couture-level was a genius move. Her outfit reimagined classic menswear with a waistcoat and trousers transformed into a couture statement through exaggerated sleeves, a cinched waist, ultra-wide-leg silk satin pants, and a denim vest.
Inspired by family photos of Harrier's father and grandfather dressed in their Sunday best, the look paid tribute to Black dandyism and the theme’s focus on self-expression through tailored fashion. Laura Harrier’s look was one of the smartest takes on the theme all night, as she portrayed the theme with uniqueness and elegance.
Lewis Hamilton in Grace Wales Bonner
As a co-chair of the 2025 Met Gala, Lewis Hamilton set a high standard with his outfit designed by Grace Wales Bonner. His suit featured a cropped jacket and high-waisted trousers, complemented by an embroidered sash. Accessories like garnet-filled ear cuffs and baobab-themed brooches paid homage to his African heritage. Hamilton's look was a thoughtful tribute to Black dandyism, blending historical references with contemporary fashion.
Zendaya in Louis Vuitton
Zendaya delivered a look that perfectly encapsulated the evening's theme. She wore a custom white three-piece Louis Vuitton suit designed by Pharrell Williams. Her outfit made reference to the classic zoot suit, a symbol of Black dandyism.
The look also echoed Bianca Jagger’s iconic 1971 Saint Laurent wedding suit, blending historical references with contemporary fashion. This appearance marked Zendaya's seventh at the Met Gala, in alignment with the event's theme and its celebration of Black sartorial heritage.
Joey King in Miu Miu
Joey King made a striking debut in a custom Miu Miu. Her outfit featured a vibrant green suit adorned with mixed patterns and mirror embellishments, paying homage to the rich tradition of Black dandyism while infusing it with contemporary energy. King's look not only honored the historical roots of Black style but also showcased her willingness to push fashion boundaries, making her one of the standout attendees of the night.
Damson Idris in Tommy Hilfiger
Actor Damson Idris delivered one of the evening's most memorable moments with a dramatic fashion reveal. He stepped onto the red carpet wearing a custom white racing suit designed by Tommy Hilfiger, complete with a helmet adorned with over 20,000 Swarovski crystals. In a theatrical moment, Idris removed the racing suit to unveil a finely tailored rouge tuxedo, also by Hilfiger.
The look paid homage to his role as Joshua "Noah" Pearce in the upcoming film F1, where he stars alongside Brad Pitt. His ensemble perfectly embodied the Met Gala's theme, showcasing how tailoring can serve as a powerful form of self-expression and cultural storytelling.
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Bold Statements, Fashion Risks, and the Controversies That Followed
BLACKPINK's Lisa made her debut in Louis Vuitton that quickly became one of the evening's most talked about looks. Her outfit featured a sheer black lace bodysuit adorned with embroidered portraits, paired with a tailored blazer and logo tights. The design was a collaboration between Louis Vuitton's men's creative director Pharrell Williams and artist Henry Taylor, known for incorporating faces from his personal life—family, friends, and neighbors—into his artwork.
Controversy arose when observers speculated that one of the embroidered faces was Rosa Parks, but it was its placement on the bodysuit which generated critics. It was argued that featuring such an image in that location was inappropriate, especially given the event's theme celebrating Black fashion and culture.
Katy Perry became the center of an AI-generated illusion that captivated the internet. Despite not attending the event due to her ongoing Lifetimes Tour, realistic AI-generated images showed Katy Perry in a sleek black latex gown paired with a pinstripe blazer, perfectly aligning with the gala's theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” These images were so convincing that many fans believed she had made a surprise appearance. This marked the second consecutive year that AI-generated photos of Perry at the Met Gala went viral.
In 2024, similar images fooled not only fans but also her own mother. This year, Katy humorously addressed the situation on Instagram, sharing the AI images and clarifying her actual whereabouts. The incident sparked discussions about the growing sophistication of AI-generated content and its potential to blur the lines between reality and fiction. While many found humor in the situation, others expressed concern over how easy these images can mislead the public.
At the 2025 Met Gala, themed “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” model Amelia Gray Hamlin made a bold fashion statement that quickly became one of the evening's most talked-about moments. Amelia Gray Hamlin's appearance at the 2025 Met Gala, sparked significant controversy due to her choice of accessories. The model wore a red lace Valentino look, which included a head covering resembling a traditional durag.
This accessory choice led to criticism on social media, with many users labeling it as cultural appropriation. In this case, the use of a durag, a garment with deep cultural significance in the Black community, by someone outside that community, was viewed by many as problematic.
Sydney Sweeney also had some controversy due to her choice of attire, which many felt was misaligned with the event's theme. She wore a black sequined gown by Miu Miu, inspired by actress Kim Novak's. This choice was a nod to her upcoming role portraying Novak in Colman Domingo's film Scandalous!
. Despite this explanation, many critics argued that her homage to a white actress was inappropriate for an event celebrating Black fashion and culture. They felt that highlighting a white icon wasn’t following the focus on Black dandyism and the contributions of Black designers and stylists.
This year’s Met Gala was a night filled with incredible fashion, cultural exploration, and moments that sparked conversation. From the bold interpretations of the "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" theme to the controversies that followed, the red carpet truly showed how fashion can challenge norms, tell stories, and provoke thought. Regardless, the Met Gala once again proved why it remains one of the most anticipated events in the fashion world, where the line between art and style is continually pushed to new heights.
As always, the Met Gala sparked plenty of debate about who nailed the theme and who missed the mark. What did you think of this year’s best and worst dressed? Were there any standout moments or controversial looks that had you talking? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
