A Designer’s Thoughts on the 2025 Meta Gala Theme

On Wednesday, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute revealed the theme of the 2025 Met Gala to be, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” and I must admit that I’m here for it. As a Black designer who loves the simplistic details in menswear and craftsmanship in tailoring, this brings me so much joy and excitement. Unfortunately, it also makes me a little wary but more on that later.

In this post, I’m sharing some overview descriptions on what the Met Gala is, what the theme means, my initial thoughts and feels about the theme and my red carpet predictions. Let’s get into it.

What is the Met Gala?

The Met Gala is a fundraising event for the Costume Institute, a part of the Metropolitan Museum. Anna Wintour, the editor and chief of Vogue, spearheads the event, selecting the designers to participate and the who’s who of the moment to attend. If selected, the cost of entry is about $75,000 for an individual or $350,000 for a 10 person table. It’s the black tie kick off for the museum's fashion related exhibition.

Each year, a theme is chosen for the Gala and the designers and guests do their best to create and style a look that adheres to it. The themes are open to creative interpretation and usually it’s the time to go all out when it comes to the red carpet looks. It’s an art exhibition in itself. And us commoners tune in to pass judgement along our news feeds.

What’s the 2025 Met Gala Theme?

The theme for the 2025 Met Gala is, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” My first entree way to the explanation of it came from this Met Museums Instagram post, stating the theme was inspired by exhibition curator and author, Monica Miller and her 2009 book, “Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.” The exhibition “will examine the historical and cultural emergence of the Black dandy.”

The theme itself is bold because one, it’s focusing on menswear, which the Gala rarely does, and two, it’s focusing on Black history at a time when many are trying to erase it.

So a brief breakdown of the theme, a dandy as defined by the Oxford Dictionary, is “a man unduly devoted to style, neatness, and fashion in dress and appearance.” He takes his physical appearance and personal grooming very seriously, often standing out from the average styles of the time. It was initiated as a form of rebellion in England in the 1780’s where people rejected the French court styles and created their own.

The significance of the theme is that it’s focusing on Black style. It spans from the time where Black people were slaves and considered a high commodity and status of wealth for slave owners to the times Black people had to find their own identities, build their own wealth and create their own status within our own culture and among American society. It’s basically acknowledging that we started from the bottom and now we’re here. It’s also celebrating it. Black designers didn’t get the credit they deserved, Black trends were/are considered ghetto until otherwise, Black people are ridiculed and side eyed for “doing too much” or “being extra” and this is a moment where it all comes together and people get their flowers for their contributions. Hopefully.

What’s the significance of this Met Gala?

Coming from a Black designer, the significance of this extravagant red carpet is the centering of Blackness. It’s a moment for the culture to show up proud and be iconic. Something we do anyways but everyone now has to acknowledge it and the greatness that has happened because of us.

I love this because Black designers of past and present will be recognized. The looks are based on research and finding notable pin points that speak to the designer so I’m excited to see what comes out of the woodworks. How things are translated into today’s fashions but also learning new things that I haven’t uncovered myself.

Pharrell Williams and wife, Helen at 2021 Met Gala

This is also the first time in decades the Costume Institute has dedicated an exhibit solely to menswear. The co-chairs for the event are also all Black men, aside from Anna Wintour, of course. They are Louis Vuitton Men's creative director Pharell Williams, rapper A$AP Rocky, actor Colman Domingo, and Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton and Basketball player Lebron James will serve as an honorary co-chair. Now, I don’t know the true responsibility of the co-chairs, but all these men have served some looks on the gala red carpet and I agree with this group.

But, with all that said, I’m a little wary. There’s always someone who takes it a bit too far and has to ruin it for everyone. Race is a sensitive topic. Blackness is a sensitive topic. It will be very easy for micro aggressions to spring up in the designs along with Black stereotypes if the creatives aren’t careful…and that’s just speaking about well intentioned designers. Those who shock for shock's sake…I don’t want to imagine…

What are your predictions for the carpet?

With every theme comes some obvious interpretations of what to expect and who would absolutely eat the theme up. Here are my predictions.

Design Details:

Prints and patterns. There’s going to be a lot of pinstripe, checkers, floral, polka dots, toile, houndstooth and herringbone on that carpet and probably coordinating with each other.

Exaggerations. Prepare to see a collection of shirt collars, long tail coats, super structured shoulders, and large lapels. I’m sure someone will play with deconstruction also, taking apart a finely tailored garment. I personally love seeing the guts of a tailored item, but only if it’s done in an intentional way.

Accessories to the Gods. Shoes, canes, capes, hats, hair pieces, watches, purses, jewelry… All of these need to make their own statement along the bigger picture statement.

Black designers, artists and stylists that “have never been heard of,” finally getting their shine on a big fashion stage.

Servers:

A$AP Rocky.

As a co-chair, I’m expecting a few outfits with a finale walk accompanied by his wife, Rihanna. He pushes the masculine line a bit so I’m interested to see where he takes it with the theme being Dandyism. It gives him more room to play.

Dapper Dan.

If ever there was a theme best matched for any one body, it’s him. Dapper Dan is a Black Harlem designer who took Gucci’s all over print and revolutionized it to streetwear.

Law Roach and Zendaya.

They don’t miss.

Janelle Monae.

Again, if there were ever a theme best matched for any one body, it’s her. She started her career with a style heavily influenced by tailored menswear and she always does the most at the Gala. It’s going to be interesting to see where she takes it.

Lena Waith.

If she’s invited, she’s definitely done some notable suits and menswear styles on the Gala red carpet.

Thom Browne.

And again, if ever there were a theme best matched for any one body…

Billy Porter.

…I don’t need to say it again…

Okay, those are my two cents on this historic fashion occasion to come. What are your thoughts? How do you feel about the Met Gala theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style?” What’s one thing you’re expecting to see on the red carpet? Share your answer in the comments and let’s talk about it.

Fashion Design, FashionDelaya BriscoeOctober 13, 2024met gala, fashion designComment