On the first Monday in May, the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art once again became the world’s most opulent runway. But this time, the spectacle was more than fashion—it was a statement. The Met Gala 2025 theme, "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, " invited guests to explore the opulent, razor-sharp world of Black dandyism, where style is not just worn, but wielded.
From sweeping silhouettes to sharply sculpted lapels, this year’s gala wasn't merely a night of high fashion—it was a masterclass in cultural celebration and historic reinterpretation. The stars didn’t just dress up; they told stories.
An Invitation to Reimagine Elegance
Black dandyism—equal parts subversion and sophistication—traces its roots to 19th-century resistance and 21st-century reclamation. The aesthetic is deliberate, performative, and political, marrying classic tailoring with personal narrative.
As Costume Institute curator Andrew Bolton noted in the exhibition’s opening essay:
"This is fashion not for fashion’s sake, but for dignity, defiance, and visibility."
The red carpet became a platform—no longer just for glamour, but for grace imbued with history.
The Icons Who Defined the Night
Rihanna: A Portrait in Rebellion and Romance
Never one to shy away from drama, Rihanna arrived fashionably—if not traditionally—late. Cloaked in a sculptural Marc Jacobs ensemble that billowed like a modern rococo fantasy, she revealed a second pregnancy with characteristic nonchalance. Her look, at once ethereal and architectural, nodded to the grandeur of the past while anchoring firmly in the now.
Diana Ross: Legacy Woven in Silk
Making her first appearance at the Met Gala in over two decades, Diana Ross reminded us what it means to command a room. Draped in a custom Ugo Mozie gown with an 18-foot train—each inch hand-embroidered with the names of her descendants—Ross was regal, radiant, and resoundingly relevant.
Zendaya: Androgyny Refined
With her tuxedoed Louis Vuitton look, Zendaya deconstructed the idea of femininity and power. The white three-piece suit, tailored to whisper rather than shout, was an ode to the grace of the Harlem Renaissance, offset with a clean-lined fedora. No one marries subtlety with spectacle quite like her.
Teyana Taylor: The Zoot Suit Revival
Evoking the rebellious glamour of 1940s Black jazz culture, Teyana Taylor strode in wearing a reimagined zoot suit, punctuated by bold pinstripes, boxy shoulders, and an air of don’t-even-try-it. Her look was less costume, more commentary—and every inch arresting.
Fashion as Cultural Archive
What set the 2025 Met Gala apart wasn’t the extravagance (though there was plenty), but the intimacy of intention. Designers like Grace Wales Bonner, Telfar, and Kerby Jean-Raymond infused archival references with avant-garde flair. Textiles told stories. Seams held memory. Every look whispered, “We have always been here."
Inside the museum, the exhibit unfolded like a curated love letter to Black sartorial excellence—Savile Row meets Harlem’s 125th Street, with flourishes of Lagos, Kingston, and Atlanta woven in.
Which looks were your favorite?
Colman Domingo, Valentino
Lewis Hamilton, Custom ivory tuxedo with cultural symbolism
Pharrell Williams, Louis Vuitton
A$AP Rocky, Custom AWGE suit
Emma Chamberlain, Courrèges
La La Anthony
Ego Nwodim
Hailey Bieber, Saint Laurent
Kendall Jenner, Torishéju Dumi
Anna Wintour, Louis Vuitton
Tyla, Jacquemus
Anok Yai
Kylie Jenner
Kim Kardashian, Chrome Hearts
Charli XCX
Sabrina Carpenter
Jenna Ortega
Nicki Minaj
Demi Moore, Thom Browne
Cardi B
Gigi Hadid
Doja Cat, Marc Jacobs
Sofia Richie Grainge
Lana Del Rey, Valentino
Alex Consani, Swarovski