A 101 on the Met Gala 2025

The fashion scene really is the gift that just keeps giving. Whether you are a true fashion fanatic or completely uninterested, it’s hard to miss all the big news about Fashion Week, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, and now, updates about the Met Gala 2025 - which may just take the cake as most exciting.

The spring 2025 exhibition theme has been revealed as Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, which focuses on black dandyism. Vogue describes the theme as “examining the importance of clothing and style to the formation of Black identities in the Atlantic diaspora”.

The theme draws on ideas from, co-curator, Monica Miller’s 2009 book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity, in which she explains Black dandyism as both an aesthetic and political statement. 

Dandyism was established in 18th century Europe off the back of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Black men were pushing back on aristocratic fashion rules and were expressing their own identities amongst oppressive norms at the time. 

The other element which sets this upcoming gala apart from its predecessors, is that it is the first Costume Institute exhibition since 2003’s ‘Men in Skirts’ to focus exclusively on menswear. So on that note, I imagine this may bring in a new audience which calls for a quick debrief on what the Met Gala actually is and what we as viewers should be expecting to see.

The Met Gala, first organised by Anna Wintour in 1995, has become a highly anticipated annual fashion event which also raises money for The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. It typically coincides as the mark of the opening of the annual fashion exhibition, with this year’s being Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.

Although the exhibition theme may influence the dressing theme, outfit predictions probably shouldn't be solely based on it to avoid disappointment, as the dress code won’t be announced until 2025. 

Given the theme, I hope to see a lot of Dapper Dan, as worn by 21 Savage in 2019, or Victor Glemaud as seen on Laura Harrier in 2022. Sergio Hudson, who made his Met Gala debut in 2023, left viewers in awe of the glamorous looks he dressed Keke Palmer and La La Anthony in that year. Hopefully, a tribute to Virgil Abloh’s Off-White is not off the table too. 

In the past, people have taken to social media to rate and comment on all of their favourite looks from the night, with celebs like Zendaya, Lady Gaga and all of the Kardashian sisters (love them or hate them, they undeniably know how to dominate a red carpet) coming under critique.  

Many are hopeful to see Rihanna, which will almost definitely be on the cards as alongside Anna Wintour, the co-chairs for the 2025 event have been confirmed as A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, Lewis Hamilton and Colman Domingo, along with the honorary chair LeBron James - making this the first all black group of hosts. 

As far as representation goes, this is monumental. Not only does it celebrate men in a stereotypically feminine space, but also highlights the unique impact of black fashion in history which deserves applause. 

Like many others, I will be glued to my seat awaiting more updates.

Edited by Rosie Wood