On Monday night, the stars showed up and showed out on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the 2025 Met Gala — and even the rain couldn’t put a damper on the high fashion and powerful tributes to Black history, culture, and creativity.
This year’s theme, “Tailored for You,” spotlighted the art of suiting and took inspiration from the museum’s exhibit “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” The exhibit explores how Black communities have shaped and redefined formalwear for generations, from the Harlem Renaissance to today’s runways.
For the first time ever, the Met Gala’s dress code focused on menswear-inspired tailoring, prompting designers to get innovative, especially for their female clients.
Janelle Monáe turned heads in a coat printed to look like a suit (complete with a tie!) before revealing an actual suit underneath. Her look included a clock monocle with spinning hands — a perfect nod to timeless style.
Zendaya rocked a dramatic three-piece Louis Vuitton look, and Doja Cat went full ’80s punk in custom Marc Jacobs, which she said was inspired by “Mother Africa.” Even Bad Bunny made a cultural statement by wearing a traditional Puerto Rican pava hat with his laid-back brown suit.
Fashion wasn’t just about glamor — many guests used their looks to honor Black legends and loved ones.
Colman Domingo wore a flowing cape in tribute to Vogue icon André Leon Talley, while Tessa Thompson carried a hand fan with Talley’s face, saying it represented how “fashion reflects dignity.” Meanwhile, Lauryn Hill made her first Met Gala appearance in a stunning yellow sculpted suit, with jewelry paying tribute to Ghanaian royalty.
And perhaps the most emotional entrance? Diana Ross, who hadn’t attended since 2003, returned in a gown with a 60-pound, 18-foot train embroidered with the names of her children and grandchildren.
“I love how the Met Gala honored real history this year. It wasn’t just about crazy outfits — it had meaning.” Haley Patel, a freshman at Green Level, said.
Some stars looked closer to home for inspiration. Actress Ayo Edebiri said her outfit was dedicated to the stylish men in her family. Gigi Hadid paid tribute to designer Zelda Wynn Valdes, one of the first Black women to break into high fashion. And Diljit Dosanjh, a musician and actor from Punjab, honored early Indian dandy Sir Bhupinder Singh in his Met Gala debut.
Then came the grand finale: Rihanna, arriving fashionably late in a custom Marc Jacobs look, used the moment to announce her third pregnancy, proving once again she’s the queen of dramatic reveals.
“The fact that Rihanna announced her pregnancy on the carpet? Iconic.” claimed Saanvi Yeramaddu, another freshman at GLHS.
The 2025 Met Gala wasn’t just about cool clothes — it was about telling stories, honoring heritage, and showing how fashion is a form of identity and power. For teens and trend-watchers alike, it’s a reminder that what we wear can reflect who we are, where we come from, and what we stand for.
“It was amazing to see designers highlight tailoring traditions rooted in Black culture — it’s about time more people saw that influence.” Varshini Kannan, a rising sophomore states.
So, if you were invited to the Met Gala… What would your outfit say about you?
