This year’s Met Gala, themed “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” wasn’t just another walk up the staircase—it was a tribute to legacy, community, and craftsmanship. Inspired by Monica L. Miller’s work on Black dandyism, it felt like a much-needed reset for the carpet. Less shock, more story.
Let’s be honest, the Met carpet has seen enough sheer mesh and crystal bodysuits to last a decade. 2025, thankfully, brought fabric back into fashion—structure, tailoring, texture, pride. And while not everyone understood the brief, those who did didn’t just dress well—they made a statement.
Rihanna, in Marc Jacobs, was divine intervention in satin. Her look was part couture, part cultural commentary, and entirely Riri—punctuated with a silhouette that felt archival but fresh. Zendaya, in sculptural Louis Vuitton, twinned in an unexpected way with Anna Sawai’s crisp Dior, both women redefining power dressing in all white.
Nicki Minaj, in Thom Browne, went sharp and pinstriped, leaning into dandyism with just enough chaos to keep it Nicki. Doechii, in a sharp Thom Browne look, delivered camp and commentary in equal measure—her crisp tailoring paired with a sculptural silhouette was one of the night’s quiet triumphs. Teyana Taylor and Janelle Monáe were two of my absolute favorite looks this year—powerful, unapologetic, and fully aligned with the theme. Teyana Taylor, ASAP Rocky (with a hidden gold gun detail in his cane), Janelle Monáe in Thom Browne, and Zoe Saldana in Thom Browne—all brought their own language of luxury. Madonna, ever the rebel, stepped out with a cigar clamped between her teeth—because subtlety was never her style.
Let’s be real: it was mostly people of color who carried this year’s theme on their backs (respectfully, and proudly). It was more than homage—it was heritage worn with pride, and the details told the story.
Interestingly, many attendees noted how this year’s theme might’ve been the most wearable and comfortable in recent history. Finally, a Met where movement didn’t require a team of wranglers and a prayer.
Now, Mona Patel deserves her own paragraph. Dressed by Thom Browne, she didn’t just walk—she arrived with a robotic dog on a leash, in an intricately constructed look that blurred the lines between woman and machine. A bit sci-fi? Sure. But memorable on a carpet crowded with safe suits? Absolutely.
Jenna Ortega’s look was a literal interpretation of tailoring—her custom Balmain dress was constructed from actual tailoring shears, turning fashion tools into fashion armor. Chrome Hearts on Kim Kardashian added much-needed grit and metal to the lineup. Manish Malhotra’s look, though less editorially loud, stood out in its restraint—a traditionally ornate Indian silhouette adapted with minimalism, offering a quiet contrast that still held space in a sea of sharper cuts.
India showed up this year in a big way. Sabyasachi and Gaurav Gupta continued to bring their signature craftsmanship to the global stage—quietly powerful, culturally rich, and only getting stronger.
Let’s also not ignore the real titans of the evening: Thom Browne, Marc Jacobs, and Louis Vuitton dominated the carpet—not just in numbers, but in narrative. These weren’t just clothes; they were stories sewn into every stitch.
As for the hats—oh, the hats. Top hats, tilted brims, sculptural fascinators—each one more dramatic than the last. If tailoring was the symphony, hats were the crescendo.
But not everything was a hit. Naomi Campbell’s absence was felt. And where was Winnie Harlow? A theme rooted in Black elegance without these icons felt like an unfinished story. Also, someone please check on whoever greenlit anotherblack-themed dress code—because:
- 2023: Karl Lagerfeld (black, white, and pearls).
- 2024: Sleeping Beauties (gothic garden party).
- 2025: Superfine (tailored noir).
We get it. The fashion world loves its black. But maybe 2026 can let color back into the chat?
All said and done, this year’s Met was a reminder that tailoring isn’t just about seams—it’s about symbolism. The carpet was quieter this year, but it spoke volumes.
So what’s next? Hopefully something with color, chaos, and joy. Give us a theme that allows fashion to dream again. Maybe: “Chromatic Dreams: Dressing the Subconscious” or “Avant-Pop: Fashion in Full Volume.” Until then, I’ll be taking notes—and saving hat references.
—Sakshi Agrawal
Noir et Blanc 