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Lauryn Hill, Cardi B, Babyface, Teyana Taylor, and more all stunned at the annual charity event.
“I want to say one thing, they done f**ked up and made the Met Ball Black,” exclaimed image architect Law Roach in a viral video from one of the fashion-forward events leading up to the first Monday in May, where all eyes were on New York City at the 2025 Costume Institute Benefit.
As described by VOGUE, the Roach hosted the “First Friday in May” celebration alongside rapper Doechii and photographer Tyler Mitchell at Ginny’s Supper Club in Harlem, with attendees including Met Gala co-chairs Colman Domingo and A$AP Rocky. Additional guests included A$AP Twelvyy, Ayo Edebiri, Laura Harrier, and more, all celebrating the boldness of Black fashion.
@voguemagazine What the helly…. Last night’s First Friday in May pre-#MetGala party was a fever dream. #AsapRocky surprise appearance, #AyoEdebiri finding elevated surfaces, #Doechii handing out sunflowers? Sure, why not.
♬ original sound – SAINTED
Law Roach’s declaration at the one-night-only affair amplified a sense of pride that echoed among Black fashion historians, stylists, enthusiasts, and designers since this year’s Met Gala dress code and exhibition theme were announced.
This year’s event maintained a dress code of “Tailored for You,” a nod to the museum exhibit’s focus on menswear, and is “purposefully designed to provide guidance and invite creative interpretation.” Inspired by guest curator Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book, Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity, the challenge was set, but what exactly does that mean?
Were Black fashion designers and tailors prioritized for red carpet looks? Did Black artists, models, athletes, and tastemakers exist as the majority on the red carpet? Did stylists and attendees make sure to understand the storied history of Black Dandyism why it matters?
Black dandyism evolved from the British dandy culture of the 1700s and the transatlantic slave trade. As explained by VOGUE, Black dandyism is specifically rooted in the post-Emancipation period, in the United States, and came into full force during the Harlem Renaissance. At the time, dandyism was used to rebel against standards set for Black people whose ancestors endured American chattel slavery, and in the racially segregated South, as a method of resistance.
The Black dandy message is loud — colorful prints, luxury tweeds and silks, and striking silhouettes are more than an aesthetic. It is a political statement protesting against what an inequitable society has manifested for Black people through centuries of bigotry.
In full, Black dandysim is more than a perfectly fitted pair of trousers or a tilted fedora, but an aura complete with attitude, performance, and intent to disrupt. Miller explained, “Dandyism can seem frivolous, but it often poses a challenge to or a transcendence of social and cultural hierarchies,” in a statement earlier this year. “It asks questions about identity, representation, and mobility in relation to race, class, gender, sexuality, and power.”
The exhibit itself is divided into 12 sections, each representing a characteristic that defines dandy style: Ownership, Presence, Distinction, Disguise, Freedom, Champion, Respectability, Jook (defined in Zora Neale Hurston’s “Characteristics of Negro Expression” — an important reference for the exhibition — as a space for dancing, drinking, and other leisure activities), Heritage, Beauty, Cool, and Cosmopolitanism.
Previews of the exhibition, which is open for public viewing on May 10, highlighted across The Costume Institute’s social media features moments, pieces, and statements from the late André Leon Talley, the late Virgil Abloh, streetwear pioneer Dapper Dan, and garments and accessories by contemporary Black designers such as Denim Tears, Botter, Wales Bonner, and more.
This year’s attendees ranged from the aforementioned co-chairs, along with Pharrell Williams and Lewis Hamilton. Honorary co-chair LeBron James was unable to attend due to a knee injury sustained on the NBA court.
Host committee members included André 3000, Grace Wales Bonner, Doechii, Ayo Edebiri, Regina King, Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee, Janelle Monáe, Jeremy Pope, Angel Reese, Sha’Carri Richardson, Olivier Rousteing, and Tyla. Others who opted to put their dandiest foot forward on fashion’s biggest night are Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, Doja Cat, Damson Idris, Halle Berry, and more.
While the Met left the floor open to interpretation, to define a look as Black dandyism under the “superfine” instructions, keen needlework, daring menswear, and intentional accessories are key indicators of this year’s best dressed.
The biggest controversy came in the form of K-Pop star Lisa Manoba’s Louis Vuitton look. The full outfit featured a bodysuit with embroidered faces smiling from her crotch area, one of which, the internet speculated to be Rosa Parks. According to a statement by Louis Vuitton, the lace depicts “portraits of figures who have been a part of the artist’s life,” per PEOPLE Magazine.
“Putting a civil rights icon like Rosa Parks on your c00ch, especially after you just got exposed for saying the n-word is CRAZY,” asserted one user on X.
Putting a civil rights icon like Rosa Parks on your c00ch, especially after you just got exposed for saying the n-word is CRAZY. #MetGala https://t.co/RRWe2pd0da pic.twitter.com/JTFEbPOUEo
— ♦♠♥♣LunarSkye♣♥♠♦ (@LunarSkye) May 5, 2025
Overall, with Black designers, Black stylists, and Black culture highlighted, the carpet was one of the best for us at-home fashion connoisseurs to view from the comfort of our leisurewear in recent years, with most attendees putting their best foot forward.
Moments such as Savannah James in a custom Hanifa Zoot Suit-inspired gown, styled by Casey “Icon” Billingsley, Lauryn Hill’s eye-catching Met debut, Tessa Thompson’s church fan with a depiction of André Leon Talley, and Rihanna‘s perfectly-fitted pregnancy announcement are just a few stand-out moments from the glamorous affair.
Hopefully, the celebration of Black dandyism is not in vain and goes beyond visual representation to industry-wide reverence, support, and recognition for Black professionals at all levels and viewpoints in the fashion industry. Per The New York Times, this year’s Met Gala raised a record $31 million this year, the biggest gross in the event’s 77-year history, cementing the value that has always existed in amplifying Black stories.
The “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition is available to view for free with museum admission from May 10 – Oct. 26, 2025, for a full picture of the evolution of Black dandyism. The exhibition was made possible by Louis Vuitton. Major funding was also provided by Instagram, the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation, Africa Fashion International, founded by Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, and The Perry Foundation.
Read below as VIBE lists the best-dressed at the 2025 Met Gala, listing the top looks that channeled the spirit of Black dandyism’s past, present, and future.
Ms. Lauryn Hill made her Met Gala debut in a yellow double-breasted suit with a dramatic shoulder detail and a lengthy train. The look was accessorized with jewelry from Emefa Cole, a London-based Ghanaian jewelry designer, and a classic Hermès Kelly bag.
Babyface walked the 2025 Met Gala blue carpet in a custom black and white tweed suit by LaQuan Smith.
Angela Bassett made her Met Gala debut in a velvet vine-jacquard tuxedo cape, waistcoat, tuxedo trousers with side stripes, and a hat by Jon Narcisso Millinery, styled by Jennifer Austin.
Lupita Nyong’O stood out at the 2025 Met Gala in a custom aquamarine lurex wool jacket embellished with a satin collar with matching pants, satin blouse with a tone-on-tone satin bow, and an aquamarine chiffon cape, inspired by look 67 from the CHANEL Haute Couture Fall-Winter 2015/26 collection. She accessorized with CHANEL camelia brooches, hat, and shoes, styled by Micaela Erlanger.
Teyana Taylor bloomed as a “Harlem Rose” at the 2025 Met Gala in a custom look co-designed by Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter and Marc Jacobs.
Rihanna glowed on the 2025 Met Gala red carpet, debuting a baby bump, in a custom wool suit by Marc Jacobs and a custom Marc Jacobs x Stephen Jones hat.
Laura Harrier elegantly slayed the 2025 Met Gala red carpet in a custom look designed in the Gap Studio by Gap Inc. Executive Vice President and Creative Director Zac Posen for the 2025 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The look was inspired by family photographs of Harrier’s father and grandfather in their Sunday best.
Lewis Hamilton stepped up as a co-chair of the 2025 Met Gala, wearing a Wales Bonner suit and a beret by Stephen Jones Millinery, styled by Eric McNeal. Details such as materials like ivory and cowrie shells completed the “spiritual” look.
Khaby Lame made his Met Gala debut, styled by Ugo Mozie, in a custom BOSS pinstripe suit by Marco Falcioni adorned with vintage pocket watches.
Brian Tyree Henry styled himself in custom Orange Culture Nigeria at the 2025 Met Gala, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Kaytranda paid homage to Miles Davis at the 2025 Met Gala per VOGUE, styled by Von Ford in custom McQueen. His full look included a shrunken tailored jacket and kickback trousers in black exaggerated cavalry wool twill, tuxedo shirt in white cotton poplin and layered collar in ivory washed silk, organza, and georgette, and Heron Oxfords in black leather and Metal T-Bar Oval sunglasses.
Whoopi Goldberg made a statement at the 2025 Met Gala in Thom Browne, handcrafted in New York by L’enchanteur. The look features a black duchess satin raglan-sleeve tailored dress and a stacked matte white sequin overcoat, heavily embroidered with 350,000 matte white sequins.
Janelle Monáe turned heads at the 2025 Met Gala in a custom Thom Browne look created in collaboration with Academy Award-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell. The look also featured the first-ever Tequila diamond made from 1800 Cristalino Tequila.
Tessa Thompson was perfectly outfitted in custom Prabal Gurung and Saidian Vintage Jewels at the 2025 Met Gala, per VOGUE Australia. She also accessorized with a church fan that paid homage to André Leon Talley.
Zendaya nailed superfine tailoring at the 2025 Met Gala in Louis Vuitton by Pharrell Williams, styled by Law Roach.
Damson Idris made an entrance at the 2025 Met Gala, breaking free of F1 costuming complete with a race car arrival and helmet adorned with crystals. The suit was dramatically torn away to reveal a sleek, burgundy suit with gold detailing. Both looks were custom Tommy Hilfiger.
Dapper Dan came through at the 2025 Met Gala wearing a black and white zoot suit that featured the Sankofa Adinkra symbol in the print and the image of the Sankofa bird on the back of the jacket. As defined by Akinkra.org, the symbols originated from the Gyaman people of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. Sankofa has the meaning of “the wisdom of learning from the past to build for the future.”
Bad Bunny paid tribute to Puerto Rico at the 2025 Met Gala. The chart-topping musician wore a perfectly-fitted brown Prada suit and traditional Pava hat.
Andra Day brightened the 2025 Met Gala blue carpet in a stunning custom fuschia suit by Jérôme Lamaar. The look was hand-embellished and styled by Wouri Vice.
Jodie Turner-Smith captivated 2025 Met Gala cameras in a custom Burberry look styled by Wayman Bannerman and Micah McDonald.
Colombian superstar Maluma graced the 2025 Met Gala blue carpet wearing a custom zoot suit designed by Willy Chavarría and styled by Stephanie Escobar. Together, Chavarría and Maluma’s looks were a tribute to Pachucos, which the designer described to Women’s Wear Daily as “the quintessential dandy from the 30s and 40s representing Latinos and Blacks, who dressed as a form of resistance and beauty.”
Savannah James made her Met Gala debut in custom Hanifa, and a head-turning 40-inch wig.
Alton Mason stunned on at the 2025 Met Gala with a bedazzled eyepatch, heavyweight diamond rings, and exaggerated shoulders, outfitted by BOSS.
Severance star Tramell Tillman opted for a black and white Met Gala debut, wearing custom Thom Browne that took 300 hours of handwork. As detailed, the look included an elongated tailcoat in black velvet, tipped in black silk satin, and adorned with a bouquet of handcrafted calla lilies attached to the chest with a silk satin ribbon, classic trousers in black and white pinstripe are worn with a cummerbund in black silk faille, a grey and white university stripe oxford shirt with a round collar and black silk faille bow tie. The shoes are opera ballerina spectators in black and white patent leather.
Cardi B arrived at the 2025 Met Gala in Burberry suiting by designer Daniel Lee, styled by Kollin Carter.
WNBA star Jonquel Jones made her arrival at the 2025 Met Gala wearing Sergio Hudson, styled by Courtney May. The updo featuring her locs adorned with jewelry helped take the all-black look to the next level. Jones also wore MOSCOT ZOLMAN SUN eyewear in Black and the Hublot Big Bang Original Steel White Pave 38mm featuring a bezel that’s set with 126 Diamonds totaling 0.87ct.
Tracee Ellis Ross kept it playful at the 2025 Met Gala in a pink and mauve suit designed by Marc Jacobs, per PEOPLE Magazine.
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