The biggest night in fashion is back, and this year’s Met Gala promises to be one of the most significant yet. On Monday, May 5, the world’s most influential names in entertainment, fashion, sports, and the arts will descend on New York City to celebrate menswear and the enduring influence of Black style.
As always, the Met Gala serves as a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, and this year’s theme is deeply rooted in cultural history. The 2025 exhibit, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, takes center stage, drawing inspiration from Monica L. Miller’s groundbreaking 2009 book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. For the first time in over two decades, the gala will focus exclusively on menswear—an area historically overlooked in high fashion’s most celebrated evening.
This year’s dress code, aptly titled “Tailored for You,” invites guests to reflect on and reinterpret centuries of Black menswear and tailored fashion. Whether it’s sharp suits, bold colors, or period-specific silhouettes, attendees are expected to offer visual tributes to Black dandyism and the art of self-expression through tailoring.
Singer and fashion icon Usher, a member of the Met Gala committee, emphasized the importance of this year’s theme: “The theme is not only timely but also speaks to our rich culture that should always be widely celebrated.”
The exhibit itself traces the evolution of Black style from the 18th century to the present, through the prism of dandyism—a tradition that uses fashion as a form of rebellion, sophistication, and personal narrative. This influence is expected to be evident on the red carpet, where both male and female attendees will honor Black cultural contributions to the world of fashion.
Leading the 2025 Met Gala are an impressive group of co-chairs who exemplify the intersection of fashion, talent, and cultural influence. Musician and Louis Vuitton menswear creative director Pharrell Williams, Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton, celebrated actor Colman Domingo, rapper and trendsetter A$AP Rocky, and NBA legend LeBron James will join longtime gala overseer and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour in hosting the event.
What is this year’s Met Gala theme?
Further championing Black excellence, the host committee boasts a stellar lineup of talents across various industries. Notable members include Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles, award-winning filmmaker Spike Lee, actress and breakout star Ayo Edebiri, as well as music powerhouses Usher, Doechii, Tyla, Janelle Monáe, and André 3000. Literary and theatrical voices are also represented, with acclaimed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and playwright Jeremy O. Harris lending their influence to the evening’s celebration.
Traditionally held on the first Monday in May, the Met Gala has become an annual cultural phenomenon. While the official guest list remains confidential until the event unfolds, fans can anticipate a glittering roster of A-listers. From film stars and fashion icons to musicians and athletes, the red carpet promises a visual feast of creativity, innovation, and nods to heritage.
Red carpet arrivals will begin around 6:00 p.m. EST (11:00 p.m. BST), and while the event itself is strictly private—offering guests a chance to view the Costume Institute’s new exhibit, enjoy fine dining, cocktails, and live performances—the red carpet has become the public’s main spectacle. The iconic steps of the Met will once again be transformed into a stage of self-expression, theatrical fashion, and cultural homage.
Though the Met Gala’s exclusive interior events remain off-limits to the public, the pre-event media frenzy ensures millions will be watching from around the globe. For designers, stylists, and publicists, the day marks the culmination of months of planning, fittings, and creative preparation.
As fashion turns its attention to Black tailoring and menswear, the Met Gala 2025 is shaping up to be more than just a night of glitz and glamour—it’s a long-overdue spotlight on style, substance, and storytelling.
