As the first Monday in May arrives, anticipation for the 2025 Met Gala has reached a fever pitch. This year’s event, held once again at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, coincides with the opening of the Costume Institute’s spring exhibition, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style. The exhibition explores the influence of Black sartorial traditions through tailoring, and the corresponding dress code, “Tailored for You,” is already shaping the choices of A-listers preparing for fashion’s biggest night. With just hours to go, all eyes are on New York, and the stars roaming its luxury hotel lobbies in carefully chosen preview outfits.
FASHION
Doechii is among the celebrities fully embracing the thematic references. Over the weekend, the Grammy winner posted a photo in a full Louis Vuitton monogram tracksuit, towel, and matching luggage set, complete with a tennis racquet, in a visual homage to André Leon Talley. The pose, styling, and accessories mirror an iconic image of the late fashion editor. She even posted Talley’s original photo to her story, reinforcing the reference. Though she has recently worn a series of custom Thom Browne designs, this tribute may signal a shift, perhaps tonight marks her Louis Vuitton moment on the Met steps.
View this post on Instagram
Over the weekend, stars flooded Manhattan for pre-Gala festivities. Sabrina Carpenter, Anne Hathaway, Laura Harrier, and Ariana DeBose were among the names spotted at the Moda Operandi Pre-Met Gala cocktail event at the Twenty Two Hotel. Donatella Versace made an appearance, fueling rumors that several of the women in attendance may show up tonight dressed by the house. With the theme calling for precision and history, Italian tailoring might have its own moment in the mix.
Tyla has also turned New York into a runway over the past few days, sparking questions about who she’ll wear on the big night. Styled by Law Roach, the South African singer stepped out in a vintage Roberto Cavalli brocade mini dress from Fall 2004, followed by a plunging silver Cavalli suit with croc-embossed trousers. Her fashion choices are bold and referential, but Roach’s recent announcement of a collaboration with Burberry for this year’s Met Gala adds fuel to the theory that Tyla may appear in a custom Burberry look. The partnership is particularly meaningful given the brand’s tailoring heritage and the exhibition’s emphasis on Black style through suiting.
View this post on Instagram
Designer Marc Jacobs, known for his talent for dramatic styling, has teased his own Met Gala contributions on Instagram. A post featuring silhouettes, entirely blacked-out, suggests a group of high-profile attendees dressed by him, but the identities remain unknown. Fans are speculating the likes of Cynthia Erivo, Karol G, and Alex Consani may be among them. With Jacobs’ ability to marry theatricality with precision, whoever he dresses will likely strike a balance between drama and tailored structure.
And then there’s Rihanna. The queen of Met Gala entrances has yet to confirm attendance, but speculation is high. With her history of show-stopping looks, from Guo Pei’s imperial yellow train in 2015 to Balenciaga’s voluminous coat in 2021, the bar is high. But this year’s dress code calls for a new type of silhouette. While Rocky is expected to embrace the tailored dandy aesthetic, Rihanna’s interpretation could skew sculptural or deconstructed. Her recent collaboration with Dior, she’s the face of J’Adore fragrance, has led many to predict she’ll wear a custom Dior creation. Still, she’s been photographed in suiting and trenchcoats recently, suggesting a surprising pivot is possible.
View this post on Instagram
With one of the most compelling themes and dress codes in recent years, anticipation runs high to see how celebrities will interpret it on the red carpet, and whether all will rise to the occasion with care. Attention now shifts to the Met steps, where every look has the chance to make a statement or spark debate.
Boycott met gala!