If you wanted to see fashion that was serving c—, then look no further than this year’s Met Gala.
This year’s event took place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York on May 5 with a star-studded ensemble of designers, musicians, actors and celebrities all in one place.
The Met Gala is held yearly on the first Monday of May as an annual charity event to raise money for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. There is also the annual exhibition that coincides with the Met Gala’s theme.
This year’s exhibition theme was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” which focused on Black dandyism which was a cultural movement that uses clothing as a form of self-expression to challenge societal norms.
The carpet for the Met was blue with narcissus flowers, which was designed by Cy Gavin.
The dress code for the blue carpet was “Tailored for You,” which pays homage to menswear and tailoring. This led to some very creative interpretations of the theme.
A co-chair for the Met sets the tone for the Gala by helping curate the guest list, raise money and help promote the event.
The Met’s co-chairs included actor Colman Domingo, Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, rapper A$AP Rocky, musician Pharrell Williams, and longtime co-chair Anna Wintour. Basketball superstar Lebron James served as an honorary co-chair but did not attend due to injury.
Black Women Captivated the Audience
Teyana Taylor kicked off the night by wearing a red pinstripe suit with a red vest. Taylor draped her outfit with a red cape and accessorized the pants and vest area with silver chains. She completed the look with a red cane, a feathered hat and red gloves. This outfit set the tone for the rest of the night and she owns the color red.
Zendaya doesn’t know bad fashion at the Met Gala. She appeared in a custom all-white Louis Vuitton suit styled by Law Roach, who also attended. Diana Ross and her film Mahogany were a source of inspiration for her look. Zendaya complemented the suit by wearing a white hat while showing off her engagement ring. She was also twinning with Anna Sawai, who wore a similar outfit.
Anok Yai has been winning at the Met since 2019. Yai was wearing a sleeveless gown by Thom Browne. The top half of the outfit was a collared black brocade bodice with a black bowtie and jacket sleeves tied to the bottom of the dress. The bottom featured a fanning hem made of white fabric that resembled a ball gown.
Janelle Monáe’s style has always been on theme, and this year was no exception. Monáe first arrived at the Met in a long printed jacket resembling a black suit with a briefcase, wearing a bowler hat and monocle. Later on, Monáe ripped off the jacket to uncover a black and red Thom Browne suit with a briefcase to match. She truly never looked better in a suit..
Angela Bassett donned a custom black and blue Burberry suit while wearing a black sheer dress shirt and black tie underneath the suit. Bassett draped her suit with a blue cape and wore a Jon Narcisso Millinery hat, but still showed off her curls. She finished her look with a black cane and held a diamond-crusted camera in her left hand. She ate down, considering this was her first time at the Met.
Doechii collaborated with Pharrell Williams on her look that stole the night. She was wearing Louis Vuitton checkered shorts and a cropped monogram blazer with a white button-up shirt underneath. Doechii accessorized with a maroon bow tie, knee-high socks and Mary Jane shoes. She completed her look with her afro, an LV monogram on her cheek, a mini Louis bag and a cigar in hand. Even the controversy that she is in doesn’t overshadow how good she looked at the Met.
Some other notable looks came from Lauryn Hill, Jodie Turner Smith, Tracee Ellis Ross, Coco Jones, Keke Palmer, Whoopi Goldberg, Lupita Nyong’o, Taraji P. Henson, Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Yara Shahidi, Cardi B and Nicki Minaj.
The women left everyone gagged — and their style transferred to the men, who also served.
Men Took Notes Because They Actually Tried This Year
Domingo first appeared on the carpet in a bright blue robe by Valentino with an accented gold collar. Domingo removed the robe to reveal a gray, black and white Valentino suit with a polka-dot flower and necktie with a windowpane plaid jacket. Domingo should be a co-chair every time because he clearly understands fashion.
Considering this is Caleb McLaughlin’s first time at the Met, he exceeded expectations. McLaughlin sported a custom Dior slate tuxedo with mint colored gloves, metallic embellishments on the blazer and a black hat. McLaughlin finished the look with a black cane. This has to be one of the best debut outfits ever for the Met.
From TikTok to the blue carpet, Khaby Lame might of been out of pocket on the carpet. Lame was wearing a custom BOSS three-piece grey pinstripe suit with a white dress shirt and white tie. Lame also had a cream trench coat draped over his right shoulder and wore a grey hat. Lame’s standout piece — his grey waistcoat that was covered in pocket watches from three different flea markets — froze the carpet in time.
Regé-Jean Page appeared in a custom all-red Brioni suit, with a flowy red jacket and accessorized with a 1970s gold watch, Tiffany & Co. silver brooch and gold jewellery.
We need more people like Page who understand color.
Damson Idris raced his way onto the Met. His first outfit was a custom white Tommy Hilfiger race car suit and a bedazzled helmet covered in red white and black crystals that references his upcoming film “F1.” When Idris removed the race suit, he revealed an all-red Tommy Hilfiger suit with gold-beaded lapels, brooch and chain-link necklace. Only he could have pulled this off and it worked to perfection.
Representing Puerto Rico was rap star Bad Bunny and he did so in style. Bunny was dressed in a custom Prada brown suit with a tobacco poplin shirt and raffia tie underneath. He accessorized with brown leather gloves, sunglasses and a dark brown straw pava hat which is a signature Puerto Rican hat. He finished his look with a leather bag and white shoes. Petition for next year’s theme to be Latin-related so Bad Bunny can be co-chair.
Other great outfits came from Christian Latchman, Alton Mason, Shaboozey, Burna Boy, Lewis Hamilton, Andre 3000, Law Roach and Tom Ford.
The men finally gave us a serve to remember because they usually stick to the black suit and tie. They finally showed out to a theme that was tailored to them.
Athletes Came to Play
New York Liberty superstar Breanna Stewart came out swinging with her outfit. Stewart was wearing a custom Sergio Hudson ivory tuxedo and hand-embroidered blouse. Stewart topped her outfit with a white Monrowe hat with her hair slicked back, and had an elegant white jacket that had a train.
As a member of the host committee, Angel Reese was elegant and classy with her look. She rocked a satin tuxedo jacket inspired by Thom Browne with a white collar, hip corset and a skirt with an extended train. Reese’s sense of style is impeccable and she hasn’t missed.
New York Liberty star Jonquel Jones might have been the best-dressed athlete of the night. Jones appeared in a custom Sergio Hudson with a double-breasted black croc-embossed leather jacket with a white shirt and black tie underneath. Jones finished her outfit with bootcut pants, Moscot Zolman blackout shades, a bejeweled brooch and a diamond bezel watch. Complementing the outfit was her hair in a towering twist with Jennifer Behr colored gems and pearls.
Wide receiver Justin Jefferson wore an oversized grey plaid suit from his collaboration with Public School, alongside a black tie and a big flower broach. This was a great outfit by him; athletes should take notes and the Vikings should be proud.
Super Bowl champion Jalen Hurts continues to win. Hurts stepped out in a custom Burberry double-breasted black suit with floral embroidery and accessorized with a Breitling Navitimer watch and a Tiffany and Co. brooch. Hurts was accompanied by his wife, Bry Burrows who wore a custom Burberry maroon dress with a high thigh-slit. Hurts is truly on top of the world and his fashion is just amazing.
Other athletes that served included Venus and Serena Williams, Stefon Diggs, Colin Kaepernick, Sabrina Ionescu, Gabby Thomas, Simone Biles, Jonathan Owens and Savannah James in place of her husband, Lebron James.
The athletes showed out at this year’s Met and proved that most of them can put on an amazing outfit.
Surprises
Kamala Harris made a guest appearance at this year’s Met Gala. Harris didn’t walk the blue carpet, but wore a black and white gown by Offwhite and had a black scarf to match.
Rihanna shocked everyone by announcing her third pregnancy as she walked the carpet. Rihanna wore a custom pinstripe ensemble by Marc Jacobs that showed off her baby bump, an oversized black hat and a polka dot cravat.
Diana Ross made a surprise appearance that stopped everyone in their tracks. She was wearing a crystal-embellished spaghetti-strapped gown that she co-created with her son Evan Ross and designer Ugi Mozie. She accessorized with a dazzling pair of chandelier earrings and a brimmed feather hat, but stole the show with an 18-foot feathered train. This was her first Met Gala since 2003.
Why this Met Gala matters
This year’s Met Gala was extra special because, for the first time, there was a focus on Black identity, designers and culture. Coinciding with the theme of tailoring, this will be the first exhibit in over 20 years to focus solely on menswear. This year, the Met Gala raised the most money for a Gala Event at 31 million. Considering the Met started in 1948, it’s truly impressive.
Amid everything going on in the country, this event showed that Black culture isn’t just policies or fashion, it’s about coming together and supporting one another.
This might have been the best Met Gala ever.