5th May 2025, the first Monday of the month, saw fashion's most iconic night- The Met Gala, at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Theme The theme for this year’s gala was ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’, inspired by Monica L. Miller’s book titled Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. The book explores black dandyism and the use of fashion for self-expression and cultural resistance. Curated by Monica L. Miller, the chair of Africana Studies at Barnard College, and Andrew Bolton, the head of the Met’s Costume Institute, the dress code ‘Tailored for You’ encouraged attendees to tailor the theme to their creative interpretations, with the exhibit focusing on menswear. What is Black Dandyism? Emerging from the late-nineteenth to early-twentieth centuries after Emancipation, Black Dandyism is a cultural movement in which African Americans use fashion as a form of self-expression and a way to reclaim Black identity and the Black body. Tailored jackets, silk ties and fedoras are not merely stylish pieces of fashion; rather, they come from a powerful political movement in history that was paid homage to at the 2025 Met Gala. The Chairs for the Evening The evening began with the arrival of the lead chairperson and main organiser of the night, Anna Wintour, the Editor-in-Chief of American Vogue, and her co-chairs- Pharrell Williams, Colman Domingo, A$AP Rocky and Lewis Hamilton. Each year, the Met Gala’s carpet is custom-designed to complement the theme and colours of the night. This year’s carpet was woven by Extraweave, the parent company of Neytt Homes from Alappuzha, Kerala. Made from sisal fibre, imported from Madagascar, the carpet was midnight blue with white and yellow daffodils speckled on it. This was Extraweave’s third year crafting the Met Gala carpet, and this year’s carpet was crafted by 480 people over 90 days. Memorable Fashion Statements of the Night Oscar-nominated actor and one of the co-chairs for the night, Colman Domingo, made a strong statement in a two-part Valentino look. He arrived on the carpet in a long, pleated royal blue cape with a statement gold sequined bolero. He soon removed the cape to reveal a black and white suit, a checkered blazer with a flower embellishment, gray pants, and a polka dot tie. Image Source: The Met / @YouTube One of the most talked-about entrances for the night was Rihanna’s, made special with the reveal of her third pregnancy in a custom Marc Jacobs corset dress-suit. The look comprised a black cropped woollen jacket, a grey bodysuit with a black pinstripe skirt and a hat designed by Marc Jacobs in collaboration with Stephen Jones. Shah Rukh Khan made his Met debut this year, being the first Indian male actor to attend the Gala. He donned an all-black Sabyasachi suit, with a rhinestone-studded ‘K’ that stood out amongst his layered jewellery. The finishing touch to the outfit was a cane crowned with a sculpted gold-studded Royal Bengal tiger’s head. Altogether, the actor’s look for the night paid homage to both Black Dandyism and his Indian roots. Also making his Met Gala debut from India was Diljit Dosanjh, whose regal look captured hearts from many. Diljit marked his Met Gala debut in a custom Prabal Gurung, incorporating his Punjabi roots in the Black Dandyism Tailored for You theme. The singer donned an ivory and gold sherwani, layered with a cape and a turban, along with a statement emerald necklace inspired by Maharaja Yadavindra Singh of Patiala. Diljit paid homage to his Punjab and his Sikh culture with an ornate kirpan (sword) in his hand and his cape detailed with a silhouette of the map of Punjab. Besides Rihanna, another baby bump was flaunted on the carpet as Kiara Advani made her Met debut this year. She came in a custom Gaurav Gupta, in a sculptural black gown adorned by an antique gold breastplate with ghungroos and crystals. The design symbolised a connection between mother and child, with Gupta describing it as "two hearts connected by an abstract umbilical cord." Kiara Advani’s look was an homage to Andre Leon Talley, the late, legendary American fashion journalist and the first African-American creative director of Vogue. Zendaya made her return to the Met carpet in a custom Louis Vuitton suit designed by Pharrell Williams. Styled by Law Roach, her outfit was inspired by Bianca Jagger’s iconic wedding suit. The white monochromatic look was accessorised with a silver buttoned vest, a white floppy hat and Bulgari jewellery. One of the best-dressed attendees for this year’s Met Gala was singer-songwriter and actress Teyana Taylor. Designed by Ruth E. Carter, the outfit was a near-accurate representation of the theme for this year. The burgundy red zoot suit look was layered beautifully with a dramatic cape. The outfit was accessorised with a matching durag, statement hat with a large ostrich feather and striking red leather gloves. Janelle Monáe arrived at the Met Gala in an outfit collaboration between Thom Browne and Oscar-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell. The custom-made outfit featured a stunning red, white and black trompe l’oeil dress and a monocle attached to a bowler hat. Her outfit also included a diamond brooch made out of 1800 Cristalino tequila. Diana Ross made her long-awaited return to the Met Gala following a 22-year-long hiatus. She walked the carpet in a sweeping white gown featuring an 18-foot-long train embroidered with the names of her five children and eight grandchildren. This custom creation was a collaborative effort between the singer, her son Evan Ross, and Nigerian designer Ugo Mozie. Drawing on the rich history of Black fashion, attendees embraced the theme by donning well-tailored suits paired with bold accessories, each weaving their creative interpretations. As the gala concluded well into the early hours, the 2025 Met Gala once again proved its place as a cultural epicentre — not just of style, but of storytelling and resistance.
07 May 2025
Nayana Navin Ittiyamparampath
