Met Gala 2025: Dandyism and Brooches Rule the Night in a Tailored Celebration of Black Style
New York City – May 5, 2025: The Met Gala 2025 was a glittering ode to the art of tailoring and Black identity, with fashion’s elite turning the red carpet into a showcase of dandyism reimagined for the modern era. The evening, themed “Tailored for You,” celebrated the opening of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute exhibition, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, which pays tribute to Black sartorial excellence spanning over a century.
This year’s red carpet was a brooch bonanza. Adorning lapels, berets, collars, and even the back of jackets, brooches emerged as the standout accessory of the night. Lewis Hamilton set the tone with a Briony Raymond brooch perched on his beret, while Zendaya turned heads with a Bulgari Serpenti brooch boldly placed on the back of her Louis Vuitton suit. From traditional placements to daring reinventions, the brooch was everywhere—and jewelers should expect soaring interest following the event.
A Night of Tailored Statements and Cultural Homage
Fashion at this year’s Gala didn’t just impress; it spoke volumes. Guests embraced dandyism, often merging masculine structure with feminine finesse. The black-and-white palette dominated the carpet, occasionally accented with bold flashes of red or serene sky blue, offering both subtlety and spectacle.
Anna Wintour paid tribute to the late Karl Lagerfeld with a custom Louis Vuitton coat over a pale silver gown and an oversized heart brooch, a personal gift from Lagerfeld. Her look was echoed later in the evening by Lupita Nyong’o, who appeared in an aquamarine Chanel suit with a matching chiffon cape and oversized camellia brooch, invoking Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel legacy.
Celebrities Who Nailed the Theme
Colman Domingo, co-chair of the gala, perfectly embodied the event’s spirit. He arrived in a voluminous blue cape inspired by church choir robes, later revealing a 1940s zoot suit-style custom Valentino look edged with pearls. He accessorized with a high-jewelry Boucheron necklace and rings.
Colman and Raúl Domingo are the most stylish couple on the #MetGala2025 steps!!! pic.twitter.com/gWDyVK7YRu
— Kea (@jacquemusx) May 5, 2025
Pharrell Williams, Louis Vuitton’s men’s creative director and a driving force behind the “Superfine” exhibit, sported a pearl-embellished pinstripe suit of his own design, complete with a massive yellow diamond ring from Tiffany & Co.
Pharrell Williams at the #MetGala2025
His jacket features 15,000 pearls and took 400 hours to make‼️👀 pic.twitter.com/EZp0KfM3Si
— RapTV (@Rap) May 5, 2025
Kerry Washington turned heads in a custom Jonathan Simkhai creation—an ivory tuxedo jacket with a dramatic open back, giving way to a sheer A-line skirt. Her Chopard necklace was draped down her spine, perfectly accentuating the backless detail.
Kerry Washington attending the #MetGala2025 pic.twitter.com/k8YH8uGWIX
— linda (@itgirlenergy) May 5, 2025
Sadie Sink opted for classic elegance in a Prada black satin gown and Chantilly lace cape, adorned with Chopard pearl and diamond jewelry.
Sadie Sink 🙃🖤 #MetGala
📸: Getty pic.twitter.com/rWIPo7ktlI
— Netflix (@netflix) May 5, 2025
La La Anthony blended menswear with feminine flair in a tulle gown worn over tailored tuxedo pants—a nod to Virgil Abloh’s 2020 Off-White design.
La La Anthony attending the #MetGala2025 pic.twitter.com/Uz3hPVh9XI
— linda (@itgirlenergy) May 5, 2025
Handcrafted Glamour and Historical References
Zoe Saldaña, dressed in Thom Browne, stunned in a tuxedo gown requiring over 10,000 hours of handwork and 2.7 million beads. Bridal buttons and an oversized bow added whimsy to the meticulous craftsmanship.
Zoe Saldaña STUNNING #MetGala
📸: Getty pic.twitter.com/V6wzOEiHvY
— Netflix (@netflix) May 5, 2025
Sarah Snook, star of The Picture of Dorian Gray, captured Victorian drama in a tailored black satin coat by anOnlyChild, complete with red lining and peak lapels. Her look was accented by vintage brooches, reinforcing the evening’s nod to heritage.
Sarah Snook attending the #MetGala2025 pic.twitter.com/uld3TI067z
— linda (@itgirlenergy) May 5, 2025
Gigi Hadid channeled 1940s Hollywood in a gold velvet Miu Miu gown and vintage victory rolls, her look completed with De Beers diamonds.
Two of my favorite women at the #MetGala together 🤭
🌟 @jennierubyjane & Gigi Hadid pic.twitter.com/aXsDzqsTK3
— MTV (@MTV) May 5, 2025
Anne Hathaway, in Carolina Herrera, honored the late André Leon Talley with a crisp white shirt and black-and-white crystal-embroidered column skirt, paired with Bulgari’s Cosmic Vault Necklace featuring a 123.35-carat sapphire.
Anne Hathaway. #MetGala pic.twitter.com/nBHBcMpB8X
— CINEMA 505 (@CINEMA505) May 5, 2025
Designers Who Elevated the Theme
A$AP Rocky, in his AWGE label, wore a chocolate trench-inspired suit with extravagant accessories: a diamond-embellished umbrella, jeweled Ray-Bans, and a Bulgari brooch featuring a 15.34-carat peridot.
A$AP Rocky, #MetGala co-chair, rocking AWGE head to toe 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/maJ5Pgagso
— NFR Podcast (@nfr_podcast) May 5, 2025
Laura Harrier, in Gap Studio by Zac Posen, wore a sculptural tuxedo-inspired ensemble combining denim, duchess satin, and organdie. Posen’s statement on honoring dandyism through tailoring was embodied in every detail.
Laura Harrier attending the #MetGala2025 pic.twitter.com/Zdl5Yw7Jzd
— linda (@itgirlenergy) May 6, 2025
Nicole Kidman exuded vintage grace in a black silk organza Balenciaga gown, inspired by a 1952 design, and styled with emerald and diamond jewelry by Cindy Chao.
Pause for Nicole Kidman 🖤 #MetGala pic.twitter.com/IubcU0wMJJ
— Netflix (@netflix) May 6, 2025
Ayo Edebiri redefined modern dandyism in a Ferragamo tailcoat over a silk floor-length shirt dress, complete with coral glass-beaded harness.
Ayo Edebiri attending the #MetGala2025 pic.twitter.com/Tfa7w2eVEi
— linda (@itgirlenergy) May 5, 2025
Demi Moore, in a custom Thom Browne gown, wore a sculptural black-and-white beaded masterpiece that included a whimsical necktie-inspired loop.
Demi Moore arrives at the #MetGala2025. See all the latest arrivals here: https://t.co/IXVew6QBHp pic.twitter.com/Cydz4qEL96
— British Vogue (@BritishVogue) May 5, 2025
Cynthia Erivo collaborated with Givenchy’s Sarah Burton on a rococo-inspired look featuring a crystal-embellished jacket and a layered tulle skirt, paired with platform boots and an embroidered clutch.
Cynthia Erivo attending the #MetGala2025 pic.twitter.com/6FOQxvqHDD
— linda (@itgirlenergy) May 5, 2025
Tyler Perry, attending his first Met Gala, made an elegant debut in a crystal-beaded cape and tuxedo by Brandon Gray, accessorized with fine jewelry and Louboutin shoes.
Tyler Perry and Babyface are looking extra sharp! #MetGala2025
📸: Getty Images pic.twitter.com/yb9KSZYCjH
— VIBE Magazine (@VibeMagazine) May 5, 2025
Mindy Kaling wore a Harbison Studio tuxedo featuring bold buttons and a red cummerbund sash, accented with sculptural Marco Bicego jewelry.
Mindy Kaling attending #MetGala2025 pic.twitter.com/FBqEIoBe3r
— beyza misses chandler (@beyzanurapaydin) May 5, 2025
This year’s Met Gala proved that fashion can both dazzle and deliver a message. With “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” as its backdrop, the night honored the craftsmanship, identity, and cultural impact of Black fashion throughout history. From classic tailoring to avant-garde interpretations, the red carpet was a powerful canvas for self-expression. And if the sea of brooches was any indication, the dandy revival has only just begun.
