The 2025 Met Gala honoured Black dandyism in sleek, high-shine fashion, blending deference to the past with present-day panache.
May 5, 2025, was the day that the Met Museum of Art stairs became a rainbow of fashion and culture when the Met Gala took on the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” The year’s dress code, which was suitably named as “Tailored for You,” encouraged guests to delve into the past of Black dandyism and the way it still influences fashion today. It was a night of high-end tailoring, cultural homage and creative reinterpretations in honour of Black fashion excellence.
A Celebration of Black Dandyism
The “Superfine” installation examined the history of Black fashion and how tailoring has been a tool of self-expression and rebellion. The installation included clothing and accessories that followed the history of Black identity in fashion, from 18th-century dandies to present-day fashion icons. The Met Gala red carpet reflected the narrative as guests walked the red carpet in attire citing period silhouettes and modern reinterpretations.
Show-Stopping Moments on the Blue Carpet
Rihanna, never hesitant to make fashion statements to turn heads, announced she was pregnant with her third in a one-of-a-kind Marc Jacobs gown. A grey bustier, black floor-length skirt, and cropped jacket were evocative of the early 20th century in style. Rihanna completed the look with a tie and hat, adding a touch of modernity to traditional tailoring.
Page Six A$AP Rocky gave Rihanna a gold ring with a diamond-encrusted portrait of herself. Even though he did not give it to her at the ceremony, the gesture spoke volumes about how much they both love art and fashion.
Zendaya took a cue from 1970s fashion icon Bianca Jagger in a white three-piece Louis Vuitton and brimmed hat. Her look paid tribute to the strength of single-color tailoring and the lasting allure of retired style icons.
Diana Ross made a spectacular comeback to the Met Gala after two decades, dressed in a Ugo Mozie gown with an 18-foot train covered in embroidery listing the names of her children and grandchildren. The outfit was both a personal salute and a tribute to Black heritage.
Shah Rukh Khan also debuted at the Met Gala, the first male Bollywood superstar to have done that. He stepped out in his own custom Sabyasachi attire, Tasmanian superfine wool floor-length coat, Japanese horn monogrammed buttons, and satin pleated kamarbandh. He finished it off with a Patek Philippe Grand Complication watch, around which much of the buzz was cantered.
This year’s Met Gala saw normalcy reinstated in the shape of perfectly fitted suits, pinstripe accents, and monochromatic outfit groupings. This “day knicker” trend, pants-less clothing combined with gowns or blazers, was worn by celebrities like Sabrina Carpenter and Cynthia Erivo.
Hairs also stole the headlines, Pamela Anderson and Zoe Saldaña kicking off the summer hair seasons with super-low French bobs and micro bangs.
A Night of Cultural Reflection The 2025 Met Gala was not fashion alone; it was a declaration of the cultural influence of Black fashion. In celebrating the history and path of Black tailoring, the gala ordained fashion’s influence as a story to be told and one to be worn.
Departing, it was clear that fashion was not just style; it is a powerful tool of cultural expression and tribute.
