Everything you need to know about the Met Gala 2025

The Met Gala, the event that brings together the best of the star system and the fashion world at the Metropolitan Museum in New York, is set for May 5, as per tradition, on the first Monday of the month. The Gala is the opening night with which the Costume Institute presents its new annual exhibition, which this year will be open to the public from May 10. This year's theme is Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, revealed by the Costume Institute a few months ago. The protagonist of this edition will be the figure of the Black Dandy and the importance of clothing and style in shaping Black identities. In particular, this is the first Costume Institute exhibition dedicated exclusively to African American designers and the first in over twenty years to focus on men's fashion. For the occasion, curator Andrew Bolton worked closely with Monica L. Miller, professor and chair of African Studies at Barnard College, Columbia University, as well as the author of Slaves to Fashion, which inspired the exhibition. Presenting the Met exhibition, the professor emphasized the importance of dandyism in the project, explaining how it «raises questions about identity, representation, and mobility in relation to race, class, gender, sexuality, and power. This exhibition explores dandyism both as an assertion and as a provocation.»

The exhibition will be an immersive experience structured around twelve distinct themes, including Ownership, Caricature, and Cosmopolitanism. The figure of the Black Dandy will be explored starting from Britain and the United States from the 18th century to the present day through clothing and accessories as well as drawings, photographs, and film excerpts. The Ownership category will include a velvet livery worn by an enslaved servant in Maryland, while other sections will feature more contemporary pieces designed by figures such as Virgil Abloh and Dapper Dan. Among the artists bringing the exhibition to life is Tyler Mitchell, the first African American photographer to shoot a cover for Vogue, who this year is responsible for curating the catalog photographs. Before the exhibition, the Met will host a series of conferences and programs related to the showcase, both within the museum and at various New York institutions, including the Apollo Theater. Alongside Anna Wintour, this year’s Met Gala co-chairs will be Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, and Pharrell Williams, while the role of honorary president will be held by LeBron James.

The guest list for the Met Gala is generally not revealed before the event. For now, the names of the members of the welcoming committee have been announced, composed of influential personalities from the fields of art, film, and literature. This year, among others, the list includes Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as well as artists, designers, athletes, and creatives such as André 3000, Grace Wales Bonner, Simone Biles, Doechii, Ayo Edebiri, Spike Lee, Janelle Monáe, Sha'Carri Richardson, and Tyla. A few hours ago, the dress code was unveiled: “Tailored for You”. This year's dress code encourages guests to choose a look that reflects their personal style. In a context where men's fashion has seen a major resurgence, what is expected at this Met Gala are various reinterpretations of the men's suit, ranging from the zoot suit worn by jazz musicians in the 1940s to the Congolese sapeurs. However, classic menswear pieces such as hats, ties, and canes are also sure to make an appearance.