On Monday night, the Met Gala brought out the stars to pay homage to Black fashion, celebrating the artistry and cultural significance behind it particularly through the lens of tailoring and dandyism.

As every first Monday of May, the Metropolitan Museum of Art turned into a big, dazzling stage to host fashion’s biggest night. For the first time in over 20 years, the event focused on men’s fashion, specifically highlighting the art of tailoring in Black style. 

The theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” celebrated the legacy of innovative tailoring and creative expression led by Black individuals who continue to inspire and shape the world today.

Hosts and Honorees

This year’s hosts were a who’s who of influential men, including rapper A$AP Rocky, artist Pharrell Williams, actor Colman Domingo, and seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton—the main host was Anna Wintour, of course, as she’s been anchoring the event since 1995. 

30 years ago, the Vogue editor in chief began co-hosting the event alongside other editors, socialites and even European royalty. Shortly after, she began passing the job on to musicians, actors, designers and even athletes. 

While Wintour has never revealed what the co-chairs exactly do, it’s rumoured that they help plan the event’s dress code, dinner and performances. The lucky chosen ones are also some of the first stars to arrive on the red carpet each year, helping to exemplify the night’s dress code.

This year, LeBron James, recently immortalized with his own version of Ken, served as honorary chair.

This year’s Exhibition

The accompanying Costume Institute exhibition, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” explores the role of sartorial elegance in shaping Black identities. Inspired by Monica L. Miller’s book “Slaves to Fashion”, the exhibition delves into the history and impact of Black dandyism.

“Dandyism can seem frivolous, but it often poses a challenge to or a transcendence of social and cultural hierarchies. It asks questions about identity, representation, and mobility in relation to race, class, gender, sexuality, and power,” Monica L. Miller explained. “The exhibition explores this concept as both a pronouncement and a provocation. The exhibition title refers to ‘superfine’ not only as the quality of a particular fabric—’superfine wool’—but also as a particular attitude related to feeling especially good in one’s own body, in clothes that express the self. Wearing superfine and being superfine are, in many ways, the subject of this exhibition. And the separateness, distinction, and movement between these two states of ‘being’ in the African diaspora from the 1780s to today animates the show.”

The exhibition opened to the public on May 10 and will run through October 26, 2025.

Behind The Blue Carpet

With thousands of daffodils over a stunning blue background reminiscent of Van Gogh’s paintings, this year’s Met Gala steps diverged from the traditional red to feature a distinctive blue carpet to align with the evening’s theme. 

The specific shade chosen to represent fashion’s most important night was indigo blue, as it’s plantation was brought to America by African slaves—it’s also the signature dye for denim jeans, another very significant part of American culture.

As for the daffodils, these flowers were often used by African-Americans before and after the American Civil War to mark where black people were buried in enslaved cemeteries. Also due to its ability to spread, it was known as a “pass-along” plant for  those who could not afford to buy the bulbs to mark a grave.

Met Gala Highlights: Rihanna Is Pregnant!

A choir sang and danced to Motown classic “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” as celebrities showed up in their finest couture. Monochromatic looks ruled the night, with most of the attendees rocking personalized fine-tailored suits.

Fan favorite Zendaya, styled (as always) by Law Roach, wore a custom ivory Louis Vuitton ensemble inspired by the zoot suit, paying homage to Diana Ross’s 1975 film “Mahogany”.  

Speaking of, Diana Ross returned to the Met Gala for the first time since 2003, dazzling in a sequined gown (a collaboration with Nigerian designer Ugo Mozie) with an 18-foot train embroidered with the names of her children and grandchildren.

It wasn’t all suiting. Gigi Hadid also stunned in a custom gold velvet halter-neck gown by Miu Miu, draped elegantly and embellished with gold and crystal embroidery, paying homage to fashion icons Zelda Wynn Valdez and Josephine Baker.

But no-one brought as much drama as Rihanna, who made a memorable entrance in a custom Marc Jacobs ensemble that not only embraced the evening’s theme but also served as a pregnancy reveal for her third child with A$AP Rocky!

A Celebration of Black Style

The Met Gala 2025’s focus on men’s tailoring in Black style was seen as a powerful statement, highlighting a sector that has been historically underrepresented in high fashion. According to stylist Rick Davy, this shift is a conscious effort to showcase the artistry and craftsmanship of Black fashion ¹.

The event not only celebrated Black style but also raised questions about representation and inclusivity in the fashion world. As the fashion industry continues to evolve, events like the Met Gala play a significant role in pushing boundaries and sparking important conversations.

With ticket prices around $75,000, the Met Gala remains an exclusive event that brings together the crème de la crème of fashion, art, and entertainment. As one of the most anticipated events in the fashion calendar, the Met Gala 2025 was undoubtedly a night to remember.