Met Gala 2025: What’s hot, not, and beyond revolutionary
(From left) Jennie, Cardi B, Jodie Turner Smith, and S. Coups during the 2025 edition of the MET Gala. Images: AP
The 2025 edition of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala — best known as the Met Gala — is a celebration of star power and a smattering of Black culture. Celebrities, fashion personalities, and special guests came in their respective takes on this year’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” or Black dandyism.
According to Vogue, Black dandyism is a cultural movement defined by people of African descent who use fashion as a way of “challenging stereotypes” and “asserting individuality.” Some of its key elements include flamboyant dressing, bespoke ensembles, and chic tailoring, which can be seen in the guests who made a dashing appearance at the event — and most of the guests went all out in their showstopping looks.
Here is a look at the celebrities who made it on INQUIRER.net’s Hot, Not, and Revolutionary list.
Hot
Jennie
Jennie attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. Image: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Solidifying her status as the “Human Chanel,” Jennie paid tribute to the late Coco Chanel (notably, her sophisticated take on menswear) in an off-shoulder tuxedo gown lined with the quintessential pearl necklace, pearl-encrusted buttons, and a black bowtie with a white fabric flower. The look was put together with a top hat with white trim.
Jodie Turner-Smith
Jodie Turner-Smith attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. Image: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Jodie Turner-Smith was reminiscent of Bridgerton’s Lady Danbury with her Burberry burgundy top hat and floor-length coat, featuring a cinched waist and ornate embroidery. Turner-Smith, however, told US media that her tailored look was inspired by the Belle Époque era-born equestrian Selika Lazevski.
Cardi B
Cardi B attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. Image: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Cardi B lit up the blue carpet with a vibrant forest green Burberry suit with a plunging neckline, ruffled patterns, and a velvet belt. The handsomely sensual look was accessorized with a pear-shaped pendant necklace and dangling earrings.
Alton Mason
Alton Mason attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. Image: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Where Alton Mason goes, praises for his fashion sense follow — and his Met Gala ensemble is no different. The eye-catching finery is faithful to Mason’s brand of camp, which features a silver vest and matching trousers, an oversized floor-length coat, a silver eye patch, and a top hat.
Colman Domingo
Colman Domingo attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. Image: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Met Gala 2025 co-chair Colman Domingo channeled his inner royalty (or villainy) with a Valentino custom-made three-piece suit featuring three key elements: an oversized checkered coat, tweed trousers, and a beige undershirt with a fabric flower and polka-dot tie. The look was put together with a blue floor-length cape lined with Boucheron jewels.
Not
Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. Image: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Contradicting her hit song “New Rules,” Dua Lipa failed to command attention and instead looked like a guest simply following orders in her nondescript-looking custom-made Chanel dress. Her outfit featured a long bow at the back, a feathered skirt, and a top and matching gloves lined with tulle and gemstones.
Sydney Sweeney
Sydney Sweeney attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. Image: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Sydney Sweeney might’ve taken a cue from veteran actress Kim Novak with her sequined Miu Miu gown and chic updo, but it was a matter of being inspired by the wrong individual for the occasion. This made the actress look out of place and criminally underdressed as a result.
Gigi Hadid
Gigi Hadid attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. Image: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Gigi Hadid never had a shortage of fashionable looks, but it seems like this year’s Met Gala put an end to her vault of fashion-forward ensembles. The gold Miu Miu dress and her structured “boudoir” curls might have been a tribute to old Hollywood glamor, but it is not the fitting way to celebrate Black dandyism.
Louis Partridge
Louis Partridge attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. Image: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Louis Patridge attending the 2025 edition of the Met Gala was not Louis Partridge. His Prada two-piece suit and matching bowler hat made him look like a cosplay of Lucas Grabeel à la Ryan Evans in “High School Musical.”
Revolutionary
Janelle Monae
Janelle Monae attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. Image: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Janelle Monae’s Met Gala look was a celebration of her roots and a nod to Mexico’s Cinco de Mayo, as seen in her experimental suit jacket featuring a print-out of its pattern and exaggerated shoulder pads, a black-and-white bowler hat, a monocle with a clock-like design, and a black doctor-style bag. Monae’s quirky take on menswear is a clear look into her no-nonsense yet bold personality.
Ugbad Abdi
Ugbad Abdi attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. Image: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
With the mishmash of textures and patterns, Ugbad Abdi’s Michael Kors suit may seem like a fashion faux pas at first glance. However, what makes the combination of pinstripe detail, ornate patterns, and fur lining is a masterclass of choosing the key element that brings a whole look together without it being too messy.
Teyana Taylor
US singer-songwriter and actress Teyana Taylor arrives for the 2025 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2025, in New York. The Gala raises money for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. The 2025 Met Gala is themed “Tailored for You,” aligning with the Costume Institute’s exhibition, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” set to open to the public on May 10. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)
Teyana Taylor was among the clear standouts of this year’s Met Gala, as her breathtaking look is a clear representation of Black dandysim combined with a personal touch. Taylor put all the stops into her gray and dark red pinstripe suit, red floor-length cape with exaggerated shoulder pads, fabric flowers, and silver brooches, red gloves, and a matching bowler hat with a feather.
Diana Ross
Diana Ross attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. Image: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
After a 20-year hiatus, Diana Ross showed up at the Met Gala and put everyone to shame with her queenly stature. The look served as the Queen of Motown’s tribute to her family, combining her floor-length silver gown, a boa-trimmed cape containing the names of her children and grandchildren, and a matching hat was the definition of drama and heartfelt, all at once.
S.Coups
S.Coups attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. Image: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
This year might have been S.Coups’ debut at the star-studded event, but he ticked all the boxes like a true dandy. He was unapologetic in displaying his South Korean roots. The leader of the K-pop powerhouse Seventeen was a sight to behold in his Boss hanbok-inspired jeogori-style jacket, matching floor-length coat, and an all-gray suit.
Wendi Deng Murdoch
Wendi Deng Murdoch attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. Image: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Another star who honored their Asian roots was socialite Wendi Deng Murdoch in her two-piece skintone suit, with the jacket resembling a Vietnamese áo dài dress and pants lined with fringe. The elegant look was put together by campy cream-colored boots with platforms resembling matchsticks.
