Met Gala 2025: The Most Stylish Night of the Year

The Met Gala began in 1948, founded by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert—often called the godmother of American fashion—as a modest fundraiser to support the newly established Costume Institute. Tickets were just $50, and the event was a small gathering of New York’s fashion elite. For decades, it was one of many social charity events hosted in places like the Waldorf Astoria or Central Park.
Everything changed in 1972 when Diana Vreeland, the legendary Vogue editor, became a consultant to the Costume Institute. She transformed the gala into a glamorous spectacle, drawing in stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Andy Warhol, Cher, and Elton John. Vreeland also introduced the tradition of themed exhibitions that would dictate the dress code—a hallmark of the event ever since.
Since 1995, Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue, has overseen the gala (with the exception of 1996), elevating it into a must-attend event for global fashion icons and raising millions for the Costume Institute. By 2024, a single ticket cost $75,000, while corporate tables ranged from $200,000 to $300,000. In 2023, the gala raised nearly $22 million, and its media impact value in 2024 reached an astonishing $1.4 billion, surpassing even the Super Bowl.

What Is the Met Gala Today?

The Met Gala is more than just a glamorous party—it's a complex cultural event blending fashion, art, and philanthropy. It takes place in the Grand Hall of the Met and includes cocktails, a red carpet spectacle, an exclusive tour of the exhibition, a formal dinner, and celebrity performances. The 600 or so guests are personally approved by Anna Wintour and include designers, models, actors, musicians, athletes, and influencers—curated to reflect the pulse of modern culture.

The red carpet is the heart of the event, where A-list attendees showcase extravagant ensembles from top fashion houses like Chanel, Dior, Versace, and Maison Margiela. While adhering to the theme is not mandatory, most guests aim to interpret it creatively—often resulting in daring and theatrical outfits. Inside, phones are banned to preserve privacy and focus on art and connection.

Met Gala 2025: Theme and Dress Code

This year’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” draws inspiration from Monica L. Miller’s seminal book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. Curated by Miller herself, the exhibition explores Black dandyism as a form of self-expression and cultural resistance that emerged in the 18th century and evolved through the Harlem Renaissance to the present day. It highlights how tailoring and style have helped shape Black identity and diaspora narratives.

The dress code, “Tailored for You,” encouraged guests to reimagine masculine fashion and craftsmanship through a personal and expressive lens. The exhibition opened to the public on May 10 and will run through October 26, 2025.

For the first time in Met Gala history, all co-chairs were Black men: actor Colman Domingo, Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, rapper A$AP Rocky, and musician Pharrell Williams, who is also the creative director for Louis Vuitton’s menswear. NBA star LeBron James served as honorary chair. The host committee also featured stars like Simone Biles, Sha’Carri Richardson, Janelle Monáe, Ayo Edebiri, Spike Lee, and André 3000, highlighting the gala’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity and cultural representation.

Standout Moments and Celebrity Guests

The 2025 red carpet saw a parade of iconic looks. Confirmed attendees included Ariana Grande, Zendaya, Cardi B, Gigi Hadid, Elle Fanning, Bad Bunny, Doja Cat, Lil Nas X, Tyla, Sydney Sweeney, Jenna Ortega, and Anok Yai. Rumors swirled around appearances by Rihanna, Shakira, Lizzo, and members of the Kardashian-Jenner clan, though some regulars like Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Gisele Bündchen, and Naomi Campbell skipped the event.

Zendaya, known for her stunning Met Gala looks, wore a Maison Margiela ensemble inspired by John Galliano’s archival designs, complete with sharp tailoring and dramatic silhouettes. Doja Cat shocked again with a deconstructed suit-based look by Vetements. A$AP Rocky, as a co-chair, arrived in a custom Louis Vuitton outfit that combined traditional tuxedo styling with futuristic touches.

Fun fact: In 2009, models Naomi Campbell and Stephanie Seymour boycotted the gala in support of designer Azzedine Alaïa, whose work was excluded from the exhibit. At Alaïa’s request, they chose not to wear his designs or attend, illustrating how the Met Gala can also become a stage for protest and solidarity within the fashion world.

Controversies and Criticism

The Met Gala has seen its share of controversy. The 2018 theme “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” drew criticism despite the Vatican lending over 40 pieces to the exhibit. In 2022, Kim Kardashian sparked backlash by wearing Marilyn Monroe’s original 1962 gown—viewed by many as damaging to a historical artifact. Other themes like 2013’s “Punk: Chaos to Couture” were considered too vague, and in 2014, a formal white tie dress code proved challenging even for celebs.

In 2025, the theme was generally well-received for spotlighting Black fashion history. Some critiques focused on its emphasis on menswear, suggesting it may have limited women’s creativity on the red carpet. Still, the theme was seen as a step forward in promoting diversity and cultural depth within the fashion industry.

Why the Met Gala Matters

The Met Gala is more than a fashion spectacle—it’s a cultural mirror. Through its exhibitions and red carpet, it reflects global conversations around identity, politics, art, and social change. Themes like “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” open the door to meaningful dialogue about representation and heritage in fashion.

Financially, the gala remains the Costume Institute’s largest fundraiser, supporting vital research, exhibitions, and acquisitions. In 2019, the event raised $19 million; in 2023, nearly $22 million. These funds help preserve fashion artifacts—like an 1877 Charles Frederick Worth gown too delicate to display without advanced conservation methods.

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