Ah, May – the month when the fashion world holds its collective breath and all eyes turn to the grand steps of the MET. The Met Gala isn’t just another red carpet event – it IS THE red carpet event!
Every year, the who’s who of fashion, film, music, and art gather at New York’s iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art, dressed in looks that are equal parts jaw-dropping and conversation-starting.
Started way back in 1948 as a charity ball to fund the Costume Institute, the Met Gala has transformed into a pop culture phenomenon, thanks largely to the legendary Anna Wintour. Since revamping it in 1999, she’s turned it into the glittering spectacle we know today. Think less society ladies, more superstars, and a whopping price tag of $35,000 per ticket!
This year, the grand steps of the Met played host to a particularly significant sartorial spectacle. The theme?
“Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”
Dress Code: “Tailored for You”
This year’s Met Gala was a masterclass in fashion as resistance, elegance, and identity. Inspired by Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book, Slaves to Fashion, the theme celebrated Black dandyism—a style movement rooted in rebellion, refinement, and radical self-expression. From Harlem Renaissance icons to modern-day muses, the red carpet was a runway of cultural homage and couture storytelling.
We picked our top 10 standout looks that nailed the theme and made our fashion hearts flutter. Trust us, you’ll want to pin these to your inspo board.
With inputs from Megha Ananth, Fashion Design Student at Woxsen University
Poster Design and Writeup Compilation by Deepa Perumal
Top 10 looks
We picked our top 10 standout looks that nailed the theme and made our fashion hearts flutter. Trust us, you’ll want to pin these to your inspo board.
Honorable Mentions
Shah Rukh Khan’s Royal Debut at the Met Gala was indeed a historic moment! His custom black Sabyasachi ensemble beautifully blended traditional Indian elements with the evening’s focus on tailoring. The silk shirt, tailored tailcoat, high-waisted trousers, and the regal touch of the pleated satin kamarbandh, along with his ornate accessories like the jeweled cane and that striking ‘K’ pendant, made a powerful debut.
Miley Cyrus brought her signature rock-and-roll edge to the theme in a custom black Alaïa ensemble designed by Pieter Mulier. The look featured a high-collared, dramatically structured, crocodile-textured leather bolero jacket with exaggerated shoulders, giving a futuristic and haute couture feel. She paired the statement piece with a voluminous, floor-length black fishtail skirt.
Miley’s look successfully blended sharp tailoring with her characteristic fearless style, celebrating identity and bold self-expression within the context of Black dandyism.
Priyanka Chopra made a striking statement in a custom Olivier Rousteing design for Balmain, channeling dandy flair with a white polka-dot suit dress. The ensemble featured sharp tailoring, power shoulders, and was accessorized with a dramatic wide-brimmed hat and a Bulgari emerald necklace. This look was a masterclass in theme interpretation, blending high fashion with historical homage.
Not Twinning: Zendaya vs. Anna Sawai
While both Anna Sawai and Zendaya graced the 2025 Met Gala in striking white suits, their interpretations of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme, their choice of designers, and their styling details resulted in distinctly different looks.
Zendaya in Louis Vuitton had more drama. A big hat. A snake brooch and jewelry by Bulgari. Crisp lines. Her look designed by Pharrell Williams was inspired by powerful Black performers like Grace Jones and Gladys Bentley, as well as the zoot suits central to the Black dandyism canon. Her styling was sharp. Hair pulled back. Red nails, also showing off her engagement ring. Every detail mattered.
Anna Sawai, in Dior, looked calm but fierce. Her blazer was strong-shouldered, paired with a crisp shirt and tie, and tailored trousers. Her Cartier jewelry stood out – a gold tie clip, a watch, a vintage ring and bracelet for that sophisticated sparkle – a nod to the zoot suits that heavily influenced the evening’s theme. She wore a Stephen Jones hat. Her hair was loose. Softer. More modern.
Same color. Same idea. Totally different energy.
All about the Blue Carpet
For the third consecutive year, the iconic Met Gala carpet was crafted by Extraweave, a Kerala-based company with over a century of weaving legacy. Founded by Sivan Santhosh and Nimisha Santhosh, Extraweave’s high-fashion brand Neytt supplied a 6,840-square-meter sisal rug made from Madagascar-sourced natural fibre. While the final floral artwork—a sea of blue adorned with daffodils—was hand-painted by the Met team, Extraweave provided the pristine white canvas. Produced over 90 days by 480 artisans in Alappuzha, the rug exemplified craftsmanship, scale, and sustainability, including the use of recycled water in dyeing, making it a regal foundation for the 2025 gala.
By Deepa Perumal
Deepa Perumal is a Management professional, and a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment. As a career mentor, entrepreneur, and multilingual author, she shares her insights through blogging and writing features on history, world cultures, travelogues and memoirs. Contact her at deepabperumal@gmail.com
Facebook Comments