The 2025 Met Gala, fashion’s most glamorous and exclusive night, returned in all its glory at the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Despite the rain, spirits soared as A-listers from the worlds of fashion, sports, art, and entertainment graced the blue-carpeted stairs. With tributes to Black history, culture, and dandy style, the evening was a spectacle of creativity, couture, and cultural pride.
The annual Met Gala serves as a high-profile fundraiser for The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, traditionally held to mark the opening of its spring fashion exhibition. As always, the event raised eight-figure sums, spotlighting not just fashion, but also heritage and social commentary.
2025 Met Gala Theme: “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”
The theme for the Costume Institute’s spring 2025 exhibition is “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”, drawing inspiration from Monica L. Miller’s seminal 2009 book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.
The exhibition is divided into 12 thematic sections, each highlighting a key element of Black dandy style:
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Ownership
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Presence
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Distinction
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Disguise
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Freedom
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Champion
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Respectability
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Jook (referencing Zora Neale Hurston’s definition as a leisure space for dancing, drinking, and expression)
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Heritage
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Beauty
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Cool
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Cosmopolitanism
Garments, artwork, photographs, and historical pieces by artists such as Torkwase Dyson, Tanda Francis, André Grenard Matswa, and Tyler Mitchell showcased the timeless elegance and cultural depth of Black style from the 18th century to the present. Monica L. Miller herself served as guest curator alongside the Costume Institute’s Andrew Bolton.
Met Gala 2025 Hosts and Host Committee
Main Co-Chairs:
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Colman Domingo
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Lewis Hamilton
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A$AP Rocky
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Pharrell Williams
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Anna Wintour
Honorary Chair:
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LeBron James
Host Committee:
This year’s gala brought back the tradition of a host committee featuring a vibrant mix of creatives and influencers, including:
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André 3000
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Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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Jordan Casteel
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Dapper Dan
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Doechii
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Ayo Edebiri
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Edward Enninful
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Jeremy O. Harris
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Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
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Rashid Johnson
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Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee
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Audra McDonald
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Janelle Monáe
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Jeremy Pope
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Angel Reese
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Sha'Carri Richardson
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Tyla
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Usher
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Kara Walker
Dress Code: “Tailored for You”
In line with the exhibit’s focus on menswear and suiting, the 2025 Met Gala dress code was “Tailored for You”—a nod to personalized fashion and the expressive power of tailoring. This inspired a bold range of bespoke designs, showcasing individuality while paying tribute to Black dandyism.
What Happens Inside the Met Gala?
The inner workings of the Met Gala remain shrouded in mystery due to a strict no-phones and no-social-media policy. However, a few traditions are well-known:
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Cocktail hour
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Exclusive dinner, curated this year by celebrated chef Kwame Onwuachi, known for restaurants Tatiana (NYC) and Dōgon (DC)
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Live performances
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Private viewing of the exhibition
Venue: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The event, as always, was held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Attendees, including celebrities and fashion icons, typically stay in nearby high-end hotels like The Mark Hotel, a hotspot for star-spotting on Met night.
Who Attends the Met Gala?
The invite-only guest list is limited to around 450 people, comprising top names in fashion, entertainment, art, politics, and sports. Regulars like Blake Lively, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Rihanna returned, alongside several debutants who made a splash this year.
Indian Celebrities Shine at the 2025 Met Gala
Indian celebrities turned heads on the blue carpet, embracing the theme with cultural pride and couture elegance.
1. Shah Rukh Khan
Making his Met Gala debut, Shah Rukh Khan wore a black tailored suit by Sabyasachi, accessorized with stacked gold jewelry and a cane. Though highly anticipated, reactions were mixed as fans expected a more impactful interpretation.
2. Priyanka Chopra Jonas
A Met Gala veteran, Priyanka Chopra Jonas stunned in a polka-dotted white Balmain suit, accessorized with an emerald necklace, black gloves, and a dramatic hat. She arrived with husband Nick Jonas, twinning in white. Her look earned widespread praise for perfectly matching the theme.
3. Diljit Dosanjh
Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh impressed in a custom Prabal Gurung ensemble comprising a turban, kurta, tehmat, and a cape adorned with the map of Punjab and Gurumukhi script. He accessorised with a Kirpan and jewels from Maharaja Bhupinder Singh’s legendary Cartier collection. Netizens agreed he "won" the night with his regal tribute.
4. Kiara Advani
Actress Kiara Advani made her debut at the gala while pregnant, wearing a Gaurav Gupta gown titled Bravehearts. The outfit included an antique gold breastplate with ghungroos and crystal embellishments, symbolizing motherhood. Despite its thoughtfulness, comparisons were drawn with past looks by Aishwarya Rai and Alia Bhatt.
5. Manish Malhotra
Ace designer Manish Malhotra also debuted at the Met Gala in a sharp ensemble: a white shirt with dramatic cuffs, black trousers, a structured waistcoat, and an embroidered cape. The outfit echoed themes of dandyism and cultural identity.
6. Isha Ambani
Reliance heiress Isha Ambani returned to the Gala wearing a couture creation by Anamika Khanna, once again representing Indian craftsmanship at the prestigious event.
7. Natasha Poonawalla
Known for her bold fashion, Natasha Poonawalla wore a Manish Malhotra creation adorned with Parsi Gara embroidery—an homage to tradition and modern luxury.
8. Mona Patel
Indian-origin entrepreneur Mona Patel followed her much-discussed 2024 appearance with a striking Thom Browne ensemble this year.
9. Diya Mehta Jatia
Diya Mehta Jatia, sister of Shloka Mehta, wore a Bloni Atelier white outfit, paired with polki jewelry and a Nehru cap, making a graceful yet impactful appearance.
Best Looks from the 2025 Met Gala
Here are the standout looks that stole the spotlight:
1. Zendaya in Louis Vuitton
Wearing a tailored cream suit and wide-brimmed hat, Zendaya embodied dandy elegance. Her bold red nails added a striking contrast.
2. Kim Kardashian in Chrome Hearts
Kim donned a black croc-embossed leather outfit, accentuated with pearls and diamonds. A daring yet sophisticated look from the reality icon.
3. Demi Moore as a Men’s Tie
Demi stunned in a sculptural sequin Thom Browne gown, creatively referencing a men’s tie in a literal interpretation of the tailoring theme.
4. Rihanna in Marc Jacobs
Rihanna made a radiant return in a white ensemble, debuting her third pregnancy alongside co-chair A$AP Rocky.
5. Diana Ross in Feathered Glory
The legendary singer wore a dramatic white gown with a long train embroidered with her children’s and grandchildren’s names. It was her first Met appearance since 2003.
6. Sir Lewis Hamilton in Wales Bonner
Styled by Grace Wales Bonner, Hamilton wore a cream suit, reinforcing his ongoing collaboration with the designer and commitment to Black excellence.
7. Sabrina Carpenter in Bottomless Burgundy
Sabrina wore a tailored Louis Vuitton bodysuit designed in collaboration with Pharrell Williams. “No pants for you,” he reportedly joked.
8. Doja Cat in Marc Jacobs
With exaggerated shoulder pads and a leopard-print bustier, Doja channeled what she called a “little gangsta” vibe, embracing avant-garde femininity.
9. Cardi B in Green Burberry
Cardi debuted a new look with an ivy green pantsuit, matching eye shadow, and nails, marking a dramatic transformation.
10. Madonna’s Masculine Glam
Wearing a cream tuxedo, Madonna paired her look with a cigar, balancing softness with a masculine edge—true to her signature style.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Met Gala was more than just a night of extravagant fashion—it was a celebration of Black culture, tailoring, identity, and artistry. From the deeply symbolic theme to the standout moments on the carpet, this year’s gala left a lasting mark in both fashion history and cultural commentary. With stars from around the globe—including a powerful showing from India—this year’s Met Gala proved yet again why it remains the most iconic night in fashion.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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