Every year, on the first Monday of May, the Metropolitan Museum of Art hosts its most notable event: The Met Gala.
Regarded as the biggest night for fashion, the Met Gala is a fundraising gala for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, which houses over 33,000 articles of costumes and accessories for exhibits, preservation and research.
While the event has sparked controversy over the years for its high profile and expensive approach, the Gala has continued to stand strong, fundraising over $175 million across the last 77 years. This year’s event reached record funding at $31 million.
For 2025, the event’s theme is “Super Fine: Tailoring Black Style,” with its accompanying dress code being “Tailored for You.” This year’s theme is a nod at Black Dandyism, celebrating the cultural movement of black men utilizing fashion as a form of self-expression and political movement.
Black dandyism allowed for black men to assert themselves in a society that too often denied them the right to freedom of existence at an equal level. This movement was a strategic celebration of identity, individualism, expression and assertion using a style that challenged stereotypes.
Designer brands such as Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton, Thom Browne and more dress their guests in a curated look for the theme of the Gala. Inviting the most famous faces to showcase their designs on the carpet, prior to viewing the exhibition.
This year, the star-studded guest list included people such as Zendaya, Sabrina Carpenter, Teyana Taylor, Stefon Diggs, Kim Kardashian and much more.
Those not invited by a designer who purchased a table are invited by none other than Anna Winotur, Vogue editor and Met Gala co-chair, herself. Co-chairing with Anna Wintour this year are Colman Domingo, A$AP Rocky, Lewis Hamilton, Pharrell Williams and honorary co-chair Lebron James.
Venturing down 5th Avenue, getting closer to the museum, you will witness the divided opinions on the Met Gala filling the street. On the corner of 75th and 5th stands at least 50 people in a line with signs and chants, in anti-Met Gala fashion. While a few blocks down, on the corner of 77th and 5th, home to the Mark Hotel, known for hosting celebrities and designers for the Met Gala, crowds of people gather to witness as many celebrities as they can leave the hotel to jump in the back of the large, blacked out cars, being first to witness the costumes of the night.
But those who wanted somewhat of a real view this year made East 79th their home. A great view of the museum itself, accompanied by its white tent for the guests to be shielded under. However, you won’t be standing here and seeing guests enter. And don’t think venturing any further will gain you an up-close look, as NYPD made sure to have every road possible blocked off this year.
If you aren’t able to get a first row view of the costumes of the year, you can stroll the streets filled with people dressed to the nines, matching the theme on their own accord. Suits of bedazzled designs, pops of color, and scrunched fabric adorned the bodies of each passerby will leave you in awe.
Not every New Yorker however was excited by this display. “We don’t need to be protecting celebrities!” yelled a woman to some officers, frustrated by the stress of getting in and out of her apartment building.
Soaked, aggravated and craving chicken tenders, I decided it was time to call it quits. I got into a taxi and headed home to watch the Met Gala live stream and rate the outfits from the comfort of a dry, warm couch, as I have done the last few years.
As usual, guests made their way up the carpeted stairs, this year decorated in blue with yellow accents framed by bushels of white and yellow flowers, to an interview with La La Anthony, about their outfits.
GiGi Hadid, draped in a gold Miu Miu dress, spoke with La La about her piece being an homage to Zelda Wynn Valdes, a fashion designer in the late 1940s. Prior to entering the carpet, Teyana Taylor and Ego Nwodim were hosting interviews with guests. Co-Chair A$AP Rocky stopped to speak with them. Rocky is Harlem born and raised, and referred to being at the Gala and being a 2025 Co-Chair as “a dream come true” and stating “Tonight is so special, especially celebrating black excellence, dandyism. I’m just happy to be here.” Rocky also designed his own costume, collaborating with Christian Louboutin for their famous red-bottom boots.
Everyone looked beyond beautiful, but the stars that stole the show were KeKe Palmer, Coco Jones, Laura Harrier, Teyana Taylor, Cynthia Erivo, Chance the Rapper, Diana Ross, Jenna Ortega, Stefon Diggs, Lauryn Hill, Imaan Hammah and Doechii. Now we wait for the looks at the famous Met Gala after parties.
The Costume Institute’s 2025 spring exhibition, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” will be open for public viewing at the Met starting on Saturday, May 10, and will run until Oct. 26. You can purchase tickets on their website or in person.
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