It’s the annual lavish affair that makes a fashion critic out of us all—and reportedly sets A-listers back over RM250,000 a ticket. Returning in 2025, the Met Gala will take place on the first Monday in May, and with it, a flurry of stylish luminaries are set to converge on the Metropolitan Museum of Art for an exclusive one-night-only extravaganza.
As revealed by the Costume Institute—the governing body that oversees the ball—the theme of the 2025 Met Gala has been unveiled, with the subject set to make history. Ahead, we bring you everything you need to know about the star-studded event, from the theme to the dress code, guest list, and potential outfits we can expect to see.
What Is The Theme Of The 2025 Met Gala?
Like in previous years, the theme of the Met Gala coincides with the topic of the Costume Institute’s spring exhibition. In 2025, the Met Gala and the exhibition will be themed “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”.
As per the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s official showcase announcement, the display will “present a cultural and historical examination of the Black dandy, from the figure’s emergence in Enlightenment Europe during the 18th century to today’s incarnations in cities around the world.”
Within the gallery, explorations into the “importance of sartorial style to the formation of Black identities in the Atlantic diaspora” will unfold through significant archival garments, artworks, film excerpts and more.
The theme itself draws inspiration from Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. Miller, who is currently Chair and Professor of Africana Studies at Columbia University’s Barnard College, will serve as guest curator in the first dedicated menswear exhibition in twenty years. (The last time men’s fashion was solely presented was in 2003’s “Braveheart: Men in Skirts”.)
For a deeper look at the theme, watch the video below featuring chief curator Andrew Bolton and Miller:
What Is The Dress Code?
As you may recall from the confusion surrounding the attire at the 2024 Met Gala, attendees are invited to adhere to a compulsory dress code that corresponds to the accompanying theme. Last year, this translated to guests wearing ensembles inspired by the concept ‘The Garden of Time’ while the physical exhibition was themed “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion”.
The dress code for the 2025 Met Gala won’t be unveiled until early in the new year, but the exhibition provides context and clues for what the Costume Institute will dictate as the rules of attire. A crucial part of Miller’s book, and the exhibition by direct correlation, is the concept of “dandyism.”
For the uninitiated, dandyism was used to describe someone—historically a man—who is “extremely devoted to style and approaches it as a discipline”, as per the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In the context of Black Americana, which is the specific focus of the exhibition, the phrase holds more profound significance.
As explained in a statement, “Dandyism was initially imposed on Black men in 18th-century Europe as the Atlantic slave trade and an emerging culture of consumerism created a trend of fashionably dressed, or dandified, servants. Dandyism offered Black people an opportunity to use clothing, gesture, irony, and wit to transform their given identities and imagine new ways of embodying political and social possibilities.”
Fashion has been instrumental in shaping the perception of upward mobility in previously marginalised spheres, rendering the attire worn on the red carpet entirely political and charged with historical and cultural significance. As the Met added, “These narratives offer a history and description of Black dandyism as a discrete phenomenon that reflects broader issues of power and race in the Black diaspora.”
As for what might appear on mood boards? The work of 1980s designer Dapper Dan, a.k.a “Harlem’s Dandy”, the late André Leon Talley in his red floor-length padded coats and endless Louis Vuitton luggage, Prince’s New Romantics-inspired ruffled blouses and purple suits or even Tyler, The Creator in leopard knitwear and fur hats.
Who Is Co-Chairing The 2025 Met Gala?
The co-chairs of the 2025 Met Gala consist of some of the most influential and stylish Black men operating today: Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, and Pharrell Williams. NBA ‘GOAT’ LeBron James will also make his first appearance at the Met Gala as an honorary co-chair.
Bridging fashion, film, music and sport, these mavens will face added pressure to embody the dress code to the utmost degree, while also assisting with planning the event and hosting duties on the evening. Whether this list is presented in an arena or at an awards show, whether on the catwalk or at court-side, each exemplifies the multifaceted style of the modern Black man. We can’t wait to see what they wear.
Who Is On The Guest List For The 2025 Met Gala?
While the entire guest list remains under strict confidentiality, some alleged names have been revealed by a source.
Talking to Page Six, it’s been reported that some famous names include Madonna, Diana Ross and daughter Tracee Ellis Ross, Lauryn Hill, Lorde, Angela Bassett, Walter Goggins, Adam Scott, Doechii, Amelia Gray and Demi Moore—to name a few.
Given the turnout for Pharrell’s debut Louis Vuitton menswear collection—Beyonce! Zendaya! Naomi!—We can also anticipate a similar star-studded crowd in May.
Rihanna will undoubtedly appear alongside A$AP Rocky—though their two toddler sons will unfortunately not join them, given the Met Gala has a strict ‘18+’ rule.
When Will The 2025 Met Gala Take Place?
Since cementing its place on fashion’s calendar in 1995, the Met Gala has been consistently hosted on the first Monday in May. For the 2025 iteration, the exact date of the lavish exhibition ball will fall on May 5, 2025.
However, our readers in Asia should note that they will need to mark their diaries for the following day, as international time zones mean that guests will begin scaling the Met’s steps from mid-afternoon on Tuesday, May 6. In Malaysia, the event kicks off at 4:30 pm (5:30 pm on May 5 in New York).
Where Can I Watch The Red Carpet?
The infamous carpet-lined concrete steps of the Upper East Side’s Metropolitan Museum of Art will be broadcast live as fashion, art and entertainment luminaries ascend to the hallowed soiree. Arrivals will be streamed on major networks, as well as the Vogue website.
It will be livestreamed exclusively by Vogue on its website and across its digital platforms, including YouTube and Vogue.com.
As always, GRAZIA will dispatch every major red carpet moment and notable look in real-time through our live coverage. Be sure to tune back in here on the day for the unmissable displays of style and dandyism.
This story first appeared on GRAZIA International.
READ MORE
Met Gala 2024: The Compelling Tale Behind Isha Ambani’s Sustainable and Community-Conscious Gown
Met Gala 2024: The Top After-Party Looks, From Kendall Jenner to Blackpink’s Jennie