Fashion’s biggest event of the year has finally arrived. Designers show off their craft and mastery while the world’s most notable celebrities make their way up the MET stairs, captivating audiences across the globe. This year’s Met Gala theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, highlights the significance and impact of Black dandyism in fashion.
Every year, the Met Gala has two themes, one for the exhibit and another for the guests. The 2025 exhibit centers the Black dandy. The guest dress code is “Tailored For You,” as guests are expected to appear suited to perfection.
The theme and dress code are inspired by Monica L. Miller’s novel Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. Black dandyism first began in England in the 1700s as slave owners flaunted their wealth by dressing up their slaves. However, Black dandyism evolved into a form of resistance to societal limitations through the power of fashion and clothing.
Carpet highlights – The Met Gala
Black Dandy is all about pushing boundaries. This year, Black women especially took to the steps to challenge the idea of “men’s fashion,” redefining our perceptions around “menswear.” Both Black designers and celebrities catered to the theme, with the designs telling another story underneath the fabric.
Zendaya, a Met Gala veteran, always comes to stun, delivering a timeless fashion moment. This year, the actress graced the MET steps in a custom Louis Vuitton white tailored suit. The look consisted of a white single-breasted tuxedo and waistcoat with a silk shirt and tie peaking under, as well as a pair of flared trousers. A wide-brim floppy white hat pulls together the dandy design, which pays homage to the dandyism zoot suit.
Eyes also turned when Alton Mason arrived. The model celebrated and embraced boldness and brilliance in a custom BOSS suit. Mason, as a black silhouette, moved up the MET stairs in a black sculptural cocoon of a virgin wool mohair blend and silk satin-lined cape. Soon enough, he emerged from the cocoon, stunning in a shoulder-to-toe sparkling silhouette. He wore a crystal-encrusted silk crepe as a cropped jacket with heart heart-shaped chest cutout that dazzles the crowd. Elevating the outfit were defined structural shoulders and a standing collar to captivate the gaze. Completing the look were low-rise trousers with a subtle V-waist from the knees that fell into the high-heeled crystal-embellished boots.
Tailored to perfection
Everyone stopped as Diana Ross made a smashing appearance at the Met Gala — her first in 22 years. Naturally, after 22 years, she chose to make a statement at the MET steps. Nothing says statement like an 18-foot embroidered train that takes up almost the entirety of the carpet. The design consists of a delicate white crystal embroidered gown that flows into a dramatic train. Ross infused a personal touch, as the train was embroidered with the names of her children and grandchildren.
Ross’s son convinced her to attend. Thus, the design was also a collaboration between Ross, her son, and Nigerian designer Ugo Mozie. Just like the gown, the accessories are nothing short of dramatic and glamorous, as a wide-brimmed, feathered hat, dazzling statement earrings, and a billowing feather shawl defy our expectations.
Standouts
When it comes to tailoring, one of the most prominent and well-known designers in the industry is none other than Thom Browne. This year, Thom Browne owned the Met Gala as he worked with Janelle Monae to subvert prevailing views of dandyism. Monae stepped onto the carpet in a two-piece look: an overcoat with a trompe l’oeil tie. Among the finer details were a briefcase of delicate duchesse silk and a Thom Browne classic, as well as embroidered grosgrain ribbons. Reveals are no stranger to Thom Browne, and beneath the overcoat, Monae flaunted a floor-length skirt suit with a similar silhouette.
2025 was all about drama, and Damson Idris certainly made a dramatic entrance. He drove up in a race car and racing suit, a nod to his upcoming film, F1. Of course, to channel the avant-garde expectations of the Met Gala, he wore a crystal-embellished racing helmet. The actor made his way to the carpet, with observers still unsure of who the helmeted man was. Soon enough, two men materialized, grabbing him and revealing a captivating Tommy Hilfiger red plaid three-piece suit.
Sitting on the delicate red plaid is an 11-carat emerald brooch that is a tribute to his mother. The actor’s mother supported the family by buying gold from Nigeria and selling it in Europe. In her life, she developed a love for jewelry that was passed down to Idris.
Celebrating sartorial excellence at the Met Gala
Wearing Michael Kors, Ugbad Abdi absolutely stunned in a custom suit that screamed dandyism. While she may not be a household name, the model took everyone’s breath away. To honor both the Met Gala and one of the most influential designers in fashion history, André Leon Talley, Kors drew inspiration from the docuseries The First Monday of May. The design itself was a pewter and silver paisley Brocade cape with a silver faux fur trim. Underneath was a delicate flannel suit hand embroidered with over 80,000 crystals. To finish the dandy look, a simple fedora and cummerbund evoked simplicity while enhancing the design.
Jodie Turner Smith honored Black equestrian Selika Lazevski with a custom burgundy Burberry suit. Notably, Smith works with legendary stylist and Zendaya’s longtime stylist Law Roach. This year, Law Roach collaborated with Burberry’s creative director, Daniel Lee. The two dressed Smith in a distressed leather suit with a cinched waist coat that flowed into a structured leather skirt. The fabric itself tells a story of its own, as an embossed floral jacquard pattern subtly covers the leather. Topping off the look was a dramatic tilted burgundy top hat, heeled loafers, and leather gloves.
One word to capture Zac Posen and Laura Harrier’s collaboration for the Met Gala would be ethereal. Posen was recently appointed GAP Inc.’s Executive Vice President, and accordingly, he integrated Gap’s heritage into his Met Gala design. Posen drew from the company’s use of denim and natural fibers, sporting a natural denim vest with voluminous double-face duchess silk-satin trousers. A cinched waist and billowing sheer cotton organdie sleeves created an alluring contrast and a touch of grandeur.
Timeless styles
Teyana Taylor came to this year’s Met Gala to tear up the runway along with the theme. Donning one of the best looks of the night, Taylor described the effect with her song Rose in Harlem. Enlisting the help of designer Ruth E. Carter, Taylor stepped out in a perfectly tailored burgundy three-piece pinstriped zoot suit. The suit featured silver chains lying on the vest and pant leg with matching leather gloves and a walking cane.
The design included a dramatic burgundy cape with the phrase “Harlem Rose” embroidered in tonal red thread. The cape also displayed satin roses blossoming out of dazzling black crystal vines. A dramatic burgundy top hat with a large ostrich feather sat atop a matching durag. To pull together the luxe of dandyism, the look juxtaposed platinum studded with ruby and onyx stones against the deep burgundy.
Dandyism on another level
Circling back to the beginning of the night, Colman Domingo set the bar high. Domingo did not come to mess around this year, as he was both an attendee and a co-chair. The actor was dressed in a custom Valentino floor-length royal blue pleated robe, which referenced Andre Leon Talley. The real flair came from the white and gold sequined bolero with a dazzling pearl-drop necklace lying delicately on top. The design pulls inspiration from the robes worn in many Black church choirs, while the royal blue points to the color worn by kings, conveying the power of black dandyism.
Of course, one outfit was not enough for a co-chair, and Domingo switched to a three-piece black and white checkered zoot suit. The suit boasted an intricate embroidered tweed jacket with dramatic white calla lilies dressed in black resting on the lapel. Boucheron jewels added a subtle shine as a dazzling earcuff adorned his ear, and a ring sat delicately on his pinky.
The 2025 Met Gala was more than just a parade of luxury; it was a stage for storytelling and reclaiming history. The night wove together fashion with memory, power, and pride as a sea of tailored silhouettes celebrated the excellence of Black menswear.
