Met Gala 2025 Prep – All You Need to Know about “Tailored for You”
The Met Gala is approaching in big steps and like every year, there is a lot of controversy around the event. Nevertheless, this year’s theme is very interesting: “Tailored for You” links to this year’s blockbuster exhibition of the Met Costume Institute which focuses on menswear, the “Black Dandy” and how fashion influenced and expressed the Black identity.
You can also watch my video here:
5 Basic Facts to Get Started
- The Met Gala is one of the biggest fashion events of the year. While it is known for the media frenzy, the celebrities and the extravagant outfits, it is actually annual fundraiser for The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. The Gala takes place on the first Monday in May this year on 5 May.
- The Met Gala always has a theme which is closely linked to the Costume Institute’s annual “blockbuster exhibition”. This year’s is gala theme is “Tailored for You” and the exhibition is called “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”. As the Gala takes place just before the opening of the exhibition (on 10 May 2025; it is open until 26 October), it is also a major marketing event for the annual exhibition itself.
- Who is invited? Up until the event, the guest list of about 400-600 people is top secret. It is not enough to be able to pay for the tickets – Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of American Vogue has the last say on the invites.
- This year’s co-chairs are Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams and a very special Honorary Co-Chair – all of them represent a version of the Black Dandy.
- What happens at the Met Gala? This is a secret. There is a strict no phone/social media policy (except for the red carpet). But we know that the guests can see the exhibition, there is a dinner and high-level performers.
What Is the Met Gala?
While many people talk about the Met Gala and mainly the outfits on the red carpet, many overlook that this is actually a fundraiser for the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Already in 1946, there was a charity event to raise funds but it would take a while until it turned into this gigantic fashion event. The first guests were representatives of the fashion industry and New York high society. The main reason was a practical and financial one: The Costume Institute was turned into a full curatorial department in 1959 and it had to raise its on operating funds. Therefore, until today, the Met Gala, has been its major source of income.[1]
Regarding this fundraiser, I would like to raise one point: Every year, people say that the Met Gala should be boycotted or stopped. It probably relates to the image of the Met Gala in recent years – it sometimes feels it is more a “social media circus” than a celebration of the Costume Institute. There are two reasons for that: Firstly, the media outlets and social media accounts focus on the costumes which look good in pictures or catch the viewer’s attention while scrolling. Therefore, the coverage is not necessarily about best interpretation of the theme. Secondly, because of that, many guests use the Met Gala red carpet as self-promotion – often, it seems they did not even bother to read even the briefing about the theme or that they care for the exhibition at all. Therefore, many people have a rather negative image in mind about the Gala overall – a superficial fashion party for the privileged. Nevertheless, the reason for the existence of the Met Gala is an important one: the support of the arts. And especially in times like today, funding the arts is crucial. Furthermore, when considering this year’s exhibition topic celebrating Black fashion, it would be counterproductive to completely boycott the Gala. Nevertheless, maybe the focus of the media coverage should shift. And as you may know, and this website, I always focus on going deeper into the meaning of fashion.
Rihanna in Guo Pei, 2015.
Let’s come back to the history of the Gala (I keep it short here, if you want to learn more, my Met Gala Prep 2024 article goes into the details.) Diana Vreeland had a major impact on the Met Gala, because she turned the intimate invitation-only dinner into a major event on the social calendar by opening it up and inviting people like Elizabeth Taylor, Elton John, Andy Warhol or Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Furthermore, she introduced the themes in the 1970s. The big push came with Anna Wintour in the 1990s, she turned it into this huge event which we know today with a strong link to pop-culture, even more celebrities. Over time, the costumes also became more and more extravagant. These are actually an “accidental” result: In 2004, Amber Valletta attended the Met Gala with the theme: “Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century” and she wore a Marie-Antoinette-inspired punk rock look (a nude corset by Maggie Norris Couture and a Galliano skirt) paired with an 18th century hairstyle. This kickstarted the costume extravaganza, or competition among the guests. More recently, we probably think of Rihanna’s yellow gown by Chinese designer Guo Pei in 2015, Lady Gaga’s four 2019-looks, or politician Alexandra Orcasio-Cortez in a gown by Aurora James stating “Tax the Rich”.[2]
What happens at the Gala? This is a well-kept secret, there is a strict no-phone and no-social media policy, except for the red carpet. (Even though there was some leaked footage which by celebrities in the past – I doubt this was an accident; knowing Anna Wintour’s perfectionism, it was probably part a meticulously planned marketing strategy.) It is known that the guests get to see the exhibition, there is a dinner and high-level performances.
Ticket Prices and Fundraising
It is said that tickets for the 2023 Met Gala cost as much as USD 50,000 per person and USD 300,000 per company. And just within one year, the prices increased to USD 75,000 USD 350,000 respectively, which seem to also be the prices 2025. The Met Gala today is one of the biggest fundraisers in New York City which has raised more than USD 220 million until 2024. The 2023 Met Gala alone with the polarizing Karl Lagerfeld theme raised USD 22 million, this was topped by last year’s Gala with the theme “A Garden of Time” raising USD 27 million.
Let’s look into the sponsors as they also tell us something about this year’s theme: One of the main sponsors is Louis Vuitton, another big marketing move by the French conglomerate LVMH which has recently signed a 10-year-deal with Formula 1. While last year’s main sponsor was TikTok causing a lot of controversy, this year it is Instagram which is probably no coincidence given the current political climate. Another sponsor is Africa Fashion International (AFI), a fashion platform founded by Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe promoting pan-African designers globally. One of the most interesting sponsors is the Hobson/Lucas family foundation which is run by George Lucas and his wife Mellody Hobson and is dedicated to areas such as arts, culture, and film. And last but not least the foundation of American actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry. The variety of sponsors reflects not only that fashion is closely connected to further cultural areas but also how the exhibition topic speaks to many different organisations.
Who Attends the Met Gala?
As mentioned previously, it is more than just showing up and dropping the money for the expensive tickets. Often, designers purchase tables and then invite guests. But it is not as easy as that. We could compare it to the effort of purchasing Hermès Birkin or a Bugatti car – it is about building a relationship and, ultimately, convincing Anna Wintour. There are rumours that she is very picky – she is said to have rejected quite a few of the brands’ guests and replaced them with her choices. (But the companies still had to pay for the table.)
Arianna Grande at the 2024 Met Gala.
Just like every year, there is a lot of speculation about who will attend this year’s Met Gala. I assume it will be the usual mix of celebrities who have a big moment and the Met Gala regulars. It is very likely that we will see Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish, Selena Gomez, Dua Lipa. I am pretty sure the Kardashian-Jenner-clan is also on the list. When it comes to the regulars, we can expect Uma Thurman, Sarah Jessica Parker, JLo or Cara Delevigne. At the past two Met Galas some “regulars” were missing such as Blake Lively or Lady Gaga. Let’s see if they are attending this year.
2025 Co-Chairs
Each year, Anna Wintour and her team are supported by co-chairs. While their role seems to be mainly related to PR – they give interviews, attend events and spread the word about the Gala and the exhibition – they are also involved in putting together the guest list and also planning the evening, for example they help to choose the performers. On the actual night, they host the Gala which means they appear on the red carpet but they also welcome guests. Furthermore, they also play a big role in fundraising where they most likely use their personal network to bring in donors.
This year, there are four co-chairs: Lewis Hamilton, Colman Domingo, A$AP Rocky and Pharrell Williams. They are featured in the May issue of American Vogue.
Lewis Hamilton on the cover of the Vogue Met Issue 2025.
Lewis Hamilton, the 7-time Formula 1 world champion has established himself also outside of racing and has become an important personality in fashion. He is known for his streetwear style but also his smart and sharp tailoring. In addition to his partnerships (this year there is another collaboration with Dior for a capsule collection, he was also a brand ambassador for Valentino) he has also promoted Black designers. Last year, he wore Burberry to the Met Gala and his outfit, in my opinion, was interpreting the theme “A Garden of Time” really well and it also related to the story of a Black gardener. I think this outfit creating awareness about Black history in addition to his involvement in the fashion industry were major reasons for the choice.
Colman Domingo, Met Issue 2025.
The second co-chair is award-winning actor Colman Domingo who has been applauded for his looks on and off the red carpet. I really like his style because it is something different, he brings in colour but he does this while also staying true to the classics. Furthermore, his clothes are impeccably tailored.
A$AP Rocky is another version of the Black Dandy.
The third Co-Chair is A$AP Rocky – the musician is known for his style blending streetwear, tailoring and high fashion. I think his style blends a lot of contrasts and offers a big spectrum – from hip-hop, to seventies-influences, to art. He is a version of the Black Dandy, maybe not the cliché, but, as we will learn in a bit, there are many varieties of the Black Dandy.
The Vogue Met Issue cover with Pharrell was painted by Henry Taylor.
Last but not least, Pharrell Williams is the fourth co-chair – he also probably does not need an introduction. The musician is also the creative director at Louis Vuitton where he merges pop culture and fashion.
And we have a bonus, an honorary co-chair and it is none other than LeBron James. The basketball icon represents the close link not only between sport and fashion but also the importance of cultural impact on fashion.
In addition to these co-chairs, there is a host committee which is made up of representatives from various fields of art, culture, music and sports. We can assume that their role mainly relates to PR. The committee includes rapper and singer-songwriter André 3000, author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, painter Jordan Casteel, designer Dapper Dan, rapper and singer-songwriter Doechii, actress Ayo Edebiri, fashion editor Edward Enninful, actor and playwright Jeremy O. Harris, playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, artist Rashid Johnson, director Spike Lee and producer Tonya Lewis Lee, actress and singer Audra McDonald, singer-songwriter Janelle Monáe, actor and singer Jeremy Pope, basketball player Angel Reese, athlete Sha’Carri Richardson, singer songwriter Tyla, musician Usher, and painter Kara Walker.
The Met Gala Theme Explained in the Context of the Exhibition
Even though many people tend to forget about the real reason of the Met Gala (the opening of the annual exhibition of the Met Costume Institute), it is crucial to understand the basics of the exhibition to also judge the outfits. The theme of the Met Gala is often adapted and broader, most likely to leave more room for interpretation. This year’s Met Gala theme is “Tailored for You” and is based on the exhibition is “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”. It is based on the book “Slaves to Fashion. Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity” by Monica Miller who is also a guest curator of this year’s exhibition to support curator Andrew Bolton and his team. This is the first exhibition of the Institute since “Men in Skirts” in 2003 to focus exclusively on menswear. Furthermore, the focus on Black fashion has been a long overdue topic.
Poster of Superfine: Tayloring Black Style at the Met Costume Institute.
Monica Miller’s book offers not only a historic view on the Black fashion but insights into how fashion was or is used to form the Black identity. Fashion is often considered superficial – and it often is indeed – but this research is yet another proof that fashion can be so much more. The exhibition, like the book, covers 300 years of Black style and illustrates it by using the concept of the Black Dandy. Miller said the challenge was to not only cover this relatively long time period in the exhibition but also to find garments worn by black people, especially slaves. This is a problem with (fashion) history overall. Artefacts and knowledge often only cover the higher social classes, as their lives are better documented for obvious reasons: They had money for paintings or photographs, for example, or they owned precious garments which were handed down for generations. They also could read and write and often wrote journals. Therefore, it is a bit “easier” for historians to show that part of history while the ordinary people, or poor people and in this particular case, slaves are often overlooked because of the lack of sources. Furthermore, Miller commented that it was not only challenging to find garments, they also had to be presented in a respectful and sensitive way. This is why this book and this exhibition are so interesting and important.[3]
What Is a Black Dandy?
What is a Dandy in general and what is a Black Dandy in particular? In her book, Miller describes a Dandy as a man who is extremely devoted to aesthetics and makes them his lifestyle. We probably all have a stereotype of the Dandy in our mind – impeccably dressed, sharp tailoring, maybe a hat. Maybe we think of people like Karl Lagerfeld, or even the female Dandy Coco Chanel? The concept developed in Enlightened Europe and then manifested itself in the 18th century. Miller refers to an essay from 1896 by a quintessential Dandy called Max Beerbohm. According to him, Dandyism is more than just social life, he says that like the scent of flowers, dandies diffuse Western high culture. There are many interpretations of a Dandy: A Dandy could be a bankrupt aristocrat or a sexual outlaw expressing themselves and their views through their style. From 1780s onwards, Dandies were considered to dress elegantly and fashionably, but soon it went further: Dandies go beyond the mere fashion trends, they are not followers, they are opinion leaders, they influence or even create trends. Dandyism is also a reflection (Miller calls it a “symptom”) of social, political, cultural and economic changes.[4]
The Black Dandies are a threat to naturalized aristocracy or society overall – they challenge the concepts of class, gender, sexuality, nation, they blend the masculine and feminine. Furthermore, their own history influenced their fashion: colonialism, imperialism and the slave trade shaped the Black Dandy’s style. According to Miller, Black fashion shows rhythm and blues – it reflects the positives and the hardships. The exhibition shows Dandyism as both, an aesthetic and a strategy allowing for new social and political possibilities and where clothes are not only self-expression but also a way of distinction and resistance.[5]
The Black Dandies expressed their identity, distinction and resistance with their style.
At the beginning of her book, Miller describes to contrasting images: The first one is an oil-painting of an unnamed black boy wearing a bright red jacket, gold collar and a padlock around his neck. He was a servant to a European gentleman. In the 1700s, Black servants were stylized as Dandies and often used to trumpet a person’s wealth. The second image Miller describes is of musician Andre 3000 who is known for his flamboyant fashion style. The two images could not be more different. The painting shows white masters used Black servants as “luxury objects”. Andre 3000 stands not only for the contemporary Black Dandy, but for independence and self-fashioning. Fashion is often used to announce one’s presence and Miller uses the expression “stylin’ out” which refers to wearing your best – whether it is a party of a celebrity or the Sunday church service.[6]
The exhibition is grouped along 12 characteristics of Black dandyism which are based on an essay by Zora Neale Hurston from 1934. From what I understand, these 12 concepts are the storyline, therefore, I think it is not a simple chronological walk through fashion history. Historical artefacts and garments and are supported by art (sketches, paintings, photographs, etc.). The contemporary designers exhibited involve Grace Wales Bonner, Pharrell Williams and the late Virgil Abloh.[6]
Which Outfits Can We Expect to See?
This year’s theme offers a lot of potential for interesting outfit interpretations. Again, a lot of the Met Gala outfits may be superficial but I am not giving up hope that some guests putting a lot of thought into their outfits. One thing is for sure: we will see a lot of interesting tailoring – classic suits, classics with a twist, mix of materials and patterns. Furthermore, we will see a lot of women in suits or interpretations of them. Even though the theme “Tailored for You” leans more towards men’s suits, it is likely that we will also see a lot of dresses made, or tailored, for the occasion. Moreover, as Dandies blend the masculine and feminine, there may be a lot of gender-fluid designs as well.
As a potential lookbook for the Gala outfits, we could use American Vogue’s Met Issue (this year’s May Issue). As mentioned previously the co-chairs were featured on the cover and pictures from the editorials are also available on the accounts of photographers Tyler Mitchell and Malick Bodian, for example. The styling for Mitchell’s photographies was done by Law Roach (as you probably know Zendaya’s stylist).
A$AP Rocky in a polka dot ensemble styled by Law Roach, photographed by Tyler Mitchell for the Vogue Met Issue.
In terms of designers and brands, as a sponsor and with creative director Pharrell as a co-chair, we will see a lot of Louis Vuitton. Of course, we the other big players will be represented as well – Dior, for example. It is safe to assume that there will be a lot of Thom Browne because of his tailoring and we will see Balmain – Olivier Rousteing is on the guest list and his hourglass dress for Tyla last year was one of the best interpretations of the theme and most often shared outfits of the Gala.
Teyana Taylor and Janelle Monae in a version of “Tailored for You” photographed by Tyler Mitchell for Vogue.
But enough of the big ones. Sergio Hudson’s designs have been on the Met Gala red carpet before and it would also fit to the theme. Grace Wales Bonner’s designs are part of the exhibition, therefore, I think we will see that at the Gala as well and, of course, there will be some designs by the late Virgil Abloh – his works are also exhibited and he is yet another link to sponsor Louis Vuitton.
I would love to see Kenneth Ize, a Nigerian designer who has close ties to Vienna (maybe I am biased). The Met Gala in general, but particularly due to its theme this year, would be a great way to showcase young designers. I hope that some of the co-chairs who are known for wearing Black designers (hint: Lewis Hamilton) will hopefully use that opportunity for more diversity on the red carpet (or whichever colour they may choose this year. I wonder if they choose black, Would black be too obvious?).
Ann Lowe is a quintessential female Black Dandy.
When it comes to vintage, it would be beautiful to see Ann Lowe. She may not be known for tailoiring suits – she was behind Jackie Kennedy’s wedding gown but when we look at pictures of the designer herself, we can see that she very much embodied this Black Dandy concept as well. The polka dot suit worn by A$AP Rocky for the Vogue Met Issue reminded me of Patrick Kelly’s Spring/Summer 1989 campaign. Vintage Kelly would also be great to see.
Patrick Kelly, Spring/Summer 1989 campaign.
I hope that this theme will bring more diversity to the Met Gala in terms of designers. My biggest criticisms last year is the omnipresence of big luxury brands and very established designers. Last year, it was a highlight to see Indian fashion – many people appreciated Alia Bhatt’s sari, but I actually really liked Mindy Kaling in Gaurav Gupta (even though the electric blue version worn by Cardi B earlier that year was even better). It is also rumoured that Indian megastar Shah Rukh Khan will attend wearing Sabyasachi. I definitely look forward to that. But again, I do have some criticism: also these Indian designers are all already very established, it would be great to see younger labels and designers being promoted as well.
This year’s Met Gala takes place on 5 May 2025, the exhibition “Superfine: Black Tailoring” opens on 10 May 2025 and runs through 26 October 2025.