As the very first Monday of  May approached, the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York became the stage for fashion’s most anticipated spectacle: the Met Gala. More than just a glamorous “red carpet” event, the gala serves as a fundraiser for the museum’s Costume Institute, supporting its exhibitions, archives, and programming. This year, the theme—“Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”—marked a bold and powerful shift in focus. For the first time in over two decades, the Costume Institute centred its exhibition on menswear, and for the first time ever, Black style was placed at its very heart.

The exhibit and gala explored the legacy of Black dandyism—a cultural and historical celebration of how Black individuals across the African diaspora have used tailored fashion as a tool for identity, resistance, and self-expression.Spanning from the 18th century to contemporary style icons, Superfine honoured the elegance, defiance, and individuality woven into Black sartorial history. The dress code, “Tailored for You,” invited guests to interpret the theme personally, resulting in one of the most visually diverse and meaningful red carpets in Met history.

Among the standout attendees was Lewis Hamilton, who is steadily establishing himself as a fashion force. Dressed in a custom Wales Bonner ensemble designed by Grace Wales Bonner, he wore a cream-colored suit featuring a cropped jacket, high-waisted trousers with tuxedo stripes, and an embroidered sash adorned with culturally significant elements such as cowrie shells and mother-of-pearl buttons. The look was inspired by notable Black icons like Cab Calloway, James Baldwin, and André Leon Talley, and drew from Barkley L. Hendricks’s white-on-white portraits and Black spiritual fashion traditions. Accessories, including garnet-filled ear cuffs, cuff links resembling the Whirligig African Daisy, and baobab-themed brooches, paid homage to Hamilton’s African heritage and personal milestones.

Teyana Taylor, named “ The Harlem Rose” of the night, never one to play it safe, stunned in a sculptural Thom Browne gown featuring botanical embellishments and a dramatic train that mirrored the museum’s garden-inspired installations.

Legendary performer Diana Ross was a vision in a custom gown that she co-created with her son Evan Ross and designer Ugo Mozie. The gown featured an 18-foot train embroidered with the names of her five children and eight grandchildren, serving as a heartfelt tribute to her family. Ross also wore a bejewelled silver gown and a large-brim, feathered hat by Ugo Mozie.  

British rapper Central Cee delivered one of the night’s most stylish interpretations in a custom Jacquemus ensemble. His look - suit  inspired by classic double-breasted suits worn by Black Dandies, with playful polka dot details referencing the 1980s dandyism of that time. The British performer also made sure he was paying a tribute to his Guyanese roots at the Met Gala 2025 by wearing a brooch of Guyana's flag.

In a surprise fashion moment, Zendaya, styled by Law Roach, unintentionally matched looks with actress Anna Sawai.Both wore structured monochrome suits featuring dramatic flourishes—Zendaya in a custom Louis Vuitton ensemble with sculptural detailing, and Sawai in Dior’s first venture into sharp tailoring. The unplanned synchronicity became a highlight of the night, affectionately dubbed “Twin Tailors” by fans online.

Rihanna made a fashionably late entrance at the 2025 Met Gala, revealing her third pregnancy in a striking custom ensemble by Marc Jacobs. Her look featured a bonded barathea wool Spencer jacket paired with a wool morning-stripe bustier bodysuit and a pinstriped skirt, which included a bustle fashioned from a tied jacket. She completed the outfit with an oversized custom Marc Jacobs x Stephen Jones hat and spectator-styled pumps, blending menswear-inspired tailoring with her signature femininity.

A$AP Rocky, serving as a co-chair for the event, complemented Rihanna's look with his own Harlem-inspired ensemble. He wore a custom AWGE design featuring a double-breasted parka made from technical wool, inspired by Marmot jackets popular in Harlem. The outfit included black wool trousers, a vest, a white cotton shirt, exposed satin boxers, and a black necktie. He accessorized with AWGE x Christian Louboutin oxfords and Bulgari jewellery, paying homage to New York's fashion heritage while introducing an innovative twist

Notably absent from the gala were some expected fixtures. Naomi Campbell, often a showstopper and longtime supporter of Black fashion, was nowhere to be seen—sparking speculation. Fans were equally disappointed by the absence of content creator Wisdom Kaye, whose inventive menswear and deep engagement with Black style made him a top contender for best-dressed had he attended.

In celebrating Black dandyism and tailored expression, Met Gala 2025 wasn’t just a night of fashion—it was a tribute to legacy, creativity, and cultural power, sewn into every stitch.

Written by Angela Gaote