The Met Gala 2025 red carpet lit up New York City on Monday night, bringing bold fashion, cultural tributes, and historic tailoring to the forefront. Held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the event showcased a vibrant celebration of Black history, style, and creativity. Despite the rain, the spirit of fashion’s biggest night remained undeterred.
This year’s theme, “Tailored for You,” took inspiration from the Costume Institute’s new exhibition, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style. The exhibit explores the evolution of Black dandyism, and the red carpet reflected that narrative with artistic and powerful tailoring from celebrities and designers alike.
Black Dandyism and Tailoring Reimagined
A central highlight of the Met Gala 2025 red carpet was the reinterpretation of classic zoot suits. Once popularized by African American men in the 1940s, these suits featured wide shoulders and high-waisted trousers. Fashion icon Dapper Dan noted, “Real dandyism began with zoot suits, jazz, and the Harlem Renaissance,” as he explained the significance of the evening’s concept.
For the first time in Met Gala history, the theme focused on menswear. Designers were pushed to adapt suiting traditions for all genders, leading to a night full of inventive silhouettes and daring reinventions.
Standout Celebrity Looks on the Met Gala 2025 Red Carpet
From bold tailoring to vibrant accessories, the Met Gala 2025 red carpet did not disappoint. Celebrities embraced the theme with enthusiasm and flair:
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Janelle Monáe stunned in a suit-within-a-suit ensemble. She wore an outer coat printed with a blazer and necktie, which she removed to reveal an actual tailored suit beneath. Her look was completed with a bowler hat and spinning clock monocle.
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Zendaya, one of the evening’s fashion darlings, appeared in a dramatic Louis Vuitton three-piece suit.
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Lupita Nyong’o dazzled in an aquamarine Chanel look, complete with a chiffon cape and hat that honored Black fashion with elegance.
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Doja Cat rocked a Marc Jacobs blazer with bold 1980s shoulders, perfectly capturing a modern twist on classic tailoring.
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Tessa Thompson and Doechii embraced strong, wide-lapeled jackets that redefined feminine suiting.
Honoring Black Icons and Personal Histories
Some stars used the theme to honor historical and personal Black icons:
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Colman Domingo, one of the Met Gala’s co-chairs, wore a regal blue Valentino cape inspired by Vogue editor André Leon Talley.
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Lewis Hamilton paid tribute to Talley through his patent leather shoes, while Anne Hathaway echoed the homage with a Carolina Herrera column dress.
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Gigi Hadid‘s Miu Miu gown was inspired by trailblazing Black designer Zelda Wynn Valdes.
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Jodie Turner-Smith channeled the spirit of equestrian Selina Lazevski.
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Ayo Edebiri honored the dandy men in her life, including her father, through her elegant Ferragamo outfit.
And in a surprise return, Diana Ross made her first Met Gala appearance since 2003, wearing an 18-foot-long gown that weighed over 60 pounds and was embroidered with the names of her children and grandchildren.
Bold Menswear Moments on the Met Gala 2025 Red Carpet
The men on the Met Gala 2025 red carpet embraced bold suiting choices that spoke volumes:
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Regé-Jean Page turned heads in an all-red tailored ensemble.
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Henry Golding brought elegance in a custom gold suit.
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Bad Bunny opted for a loose-fitting brown two-piece suit, paired with a traditional Puerto Rican pava hat, blending cultural heritage with high fashion.
A Night to Remember
From history-making tailoring to heartfelt tributes, the Met Gala 2025 red carpet was more than a fashion event — it was a celebration of cultural legacy and identity. As always, the Met Gala continues to set the standard for creativity, and this year’s emphasis on Black style and dandyism left an indelible mark on the world of fashion.