Met Gala 2025 Stitches a Statement: “Superfine” Celebrates Tailored Black Style with a Dandy Revolution
Met Gala 2025Guests at the Met Gala 2025 interpreted the evening’s dress code in a variety of stylish ways. Check out who rose above the rest.
By: Laurin Starr
May 6, 2025
NEW YORK CITY — As dusk enveloped the Upper East Side and the Metropolitan Museum of Art turned into a fortress of fashion, the 2025 Met Gala revealed its most culturally significant theme to date: "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style." In one remarkable evening, the red carpet transformed into a revolutionary runway, weaving together centuries of Black fashion history into a rich tapestry of style, resistance, and celebration.
Curated by Monica L. Miller alongside Andrew Bolton of the Costume Institute and guest co-chairs Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, and Anna Wintour. While LeBron James served as an honorary chair, "Superfine" went beyond fashion. It emerged as a significant cultural declaration, deeply rooted in the rich tradition of Black dandyism—an aesthetic movement focused on self-definition, rebellion, and sophistication. Originating from the resistance against colonialism and flourishing during the Harlem Renaissance, Black dandyism was never solely about clothing; it represented a display of power, pride, and grace.
The Met's homage captured this legacy by featuring archival tailoring from Harlem ateliers, Lagos designers, and 1970s Detroit stylists. With zoot suits, Nehru jackets, and influences from Savile Row to Soweto, the exhibit celebrated tailoring as a universal Black expression of identity.
History woven in threads Dandyism has its origins in 18th-century Europe but was redefined and politicized by Black individuals throughout the diaspora, who utilized fashion as a means to challenge stereotypes and affirm their humanity. Icons like Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Duke Ellington embodied this sartorial philosophy—every suit, cane, and hat serving as a rebuttal to the erasure of Black dignity.
A Black Celebration, Crafted with precision from the moment the first heel touched the carpet, it was evident that this was more than just another evening of designer fashion. Black stylists, designers, and creatives took center stage, reclaiming the Gala as a platform not only for visibility but also for ownership.
The Look Book: Zendaya set the carpet off, styled by Law Roach. Zendaya’s look comprised a custom Louis Vuitton suit and Bulgari jewelry. With the addition of a vest complete with mini silver buttons, a button-up shirt, and a matching tie for an all-over monochrome finish… Sydney Sweeney made a captivating impression, something of a preview of her character’s era-appropriate, glamorous wardrobe. Sydney Sweeney arrived at the Met Gala 2025 wearing a shimmering black Miu Miu gown that called on Kim Novak for inspiration, while Teyana Taylor showcased a collaborated custom look with costume designer Ruth E. Carter for the historic look, which paid tribute to the once-illegal suits that became popular during the Harlem Renaissance, before all making sense considering she hails from Harlem, New York City.
Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Teyana Taylor
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky arrived separately as fashion royalty. Rihanna's custom suit-as-dress (if you know, you know) numbers, this in a black pinstripe look by Marc Jacobs, along with a gray and burgundy corset and scarf tie that embraced her baby bump, with a wide-brimmed hat. A$AP Rocky, the co-chair of 2025’s Met Gala, naturally arrived in something to remember—a statement that he is. Opting for a custom design courtesy of his own creative agency, AWGE.
Rihanna, A$AP Rocky
Kim Kardashian is a fan of painted-on looks, and the Met Gala 2025 was no exception. No surprise to anyone, she's staying true to who she is but elevated in a custom black two-piece leather ensemble designed by Chrome Hearts. Diana Ross's son and the co-creator of Diana’s look, Evan Ross. Ross collaborated with Nigerian designer and founder of fashion label Eleven Sixteen, Ugo Mozie, to recreate his mother’s show-stopping look.
Kim Kardashian, Evan Ross, Diana Ross
Culture in every stitch Genesis Suero the reporter sported a well-tailored black pinstripe suit with a black-themed dandy hat with sculptural shoulders, while Tessa Thompson embraced surrealism in a constructed champagne suit dress customed by Prabal Gurung with a tilted dapper hat. Lauryn Hill's bright yellow structured suit was embellished by Emefa Cole, a London-based Ghanaian jewelry designer. Her work is frequently rooted in themes of the African diaspora and nature, with all materials traceable. Nicki Minaj-inspired look “Proud Period” for the Gala was Thom Browne , a pinstripe suit dress ruffled, flower-adorned dress with a cascade of flowers down her right shoulder— a familiar thread throughout the evening.
Genesis Suero, Tessa Thompson, Lauryn Hill
Rappers like Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion , Doechii, Future, and Central Cee stayed true to this tradition, rocking corresponding-yet-contradictory fits—Cardi, with her spin on modern-day dandyism, wore a Burberry suit by designer Daniel Lee as a nod to the new spring exhibition in NYC named “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” styled by Law Roach, and Megan wore a soft white floor-length fur coat with a custom silver Michael Kors gown hugging her body nicely with a leg peeking out for sexiness. Lala Anthony captured spirits wearing the great Virgil Abloh, paying homage by choosing a design from his archival pieces.
Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Doechii
Future, Central Cee, Lala Anthony
Unexpected entrances were made by NFL stars: Stefon Diggs, in an asymmetrical double-breasted blazer, smart heeled kicks, and black turtleneck, was, by far, the most carefully swaddled in an animal-printed "fur" wrap, an untamed outfit that channels and pays homage to the king of soul. Jalen Hurts, in a Burberry black double-breasted suit adorned with floral embroidery, said the British fashion house's official release, while his fiancé, Burrows, wowed in a rose-embellished maroon dress with a thigh-high slit. Olympic winner Simone Biles in a custom AREA x Athleta gown while her husband, Jonathan Owens, in a white tux with blue trim, including a stunning Margot McKinney Atlantic pendant with a 119.44-carat aquamarine, South Sea pearl, and diamonds. His white fur cape and black cane were a perfect balance to the Black dandyism-inspired theme and were styled so dapperly. As quarterback Russell Wilson and wife, Ciara, walked alongside each other on the blue carpet, Ciara was seen in a sheer silver and black look by LaQuan Smith.
Stefon Diggs, Jalen Hurts and fiance
Simone Biles, Jonathan Owens
Russell Wilson, Ciara
And Usher, Pharrell, Keith Powers, Colman Domingo, Bad Bunny, and many others offered their own odes to Black tailoring with varying degrees of tradition and futurism. Some wore well-tailored suits; others wore monochrome suits, and many wore double looks while covered with capes, paying homage to Andre Leon Talley. But no two looks were the same; all told the same story in their own way. Black culture, said Dapper Dan, “is intentional; those who just get dressed and go on, they’re making a statement… the dandy makes a narrative.”
Video: Ebony Magazine
Usher, Pharell, Keith Powers
Colman Domingo, Bad Bunny
More Than a Theme — A Testimony
As Law Roach put it, “I’m back, and I hope people are happy to see me back." The fashion industry has been stealing from Black culture for too long without citing its sources. “Superfine” gave the credit back to the creators and re-centered the originators of taste. It invited the world to see what transpires when it adopts, rather than appropriates, Black fashion.
Video: Ebony Magazine
At the 2025 Met Gala, tailoring wasn’t just fabric and fit — it was freedom. Message received: Black elegance isn’t new, isn’t niche, and never needs or seeks validation. It’s timeless. It’s political. And above all, it’s ours.
