Fashion’s biggest night is rapidly approaching as anticipation builds around the 2025 Met Gala, where renowned artists and icons are set to showcase their style. A$AP Rocky and Pharrell Williams will join forces as co-chairs, alongside sports legends LeBron James and Lewis Hamilton, the multi-Oscar nominee Colman Domingo, and Vogue’s legendary editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.
This year’s theme, ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,’ intends to honor and explore the cultural and historical elements of Black dandy fashion, tracing its origins back to 18th century Enlightenment Europe. The nighttime gala is scheduled for May 5, 2025, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) in New York City.
The exhibition will take inspiration from Monica L. Miller’s influential book, Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity, aiming to redefine what dandyism means by celebrating the evolution of Black menswear across the centuries.
This year’s Costume Institute Benefit host committee features notable musicians such as Usher, Janelle Monáe, André 3000, and Tyla, along with influential figures from various sectors, including acclaimed writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, activist and gymnast Simone Biles, and celebrated filmmaker Spike Lee.
Notably, A$AP Rocky recently dropped two singles, including the Grammy-nominated hit “Tailor Swif” and the collaborative track “Ruby Rosary” featuring J. Cole. Meanwhile, Pharrell is set to appear on BTS member j-hope’s upcoming single “LV Bag,” alongside Don Toliver.
The 2025 Met Gala will not only celebrate artistic expression but also highlight Black talent and creativity. The honorary chair, LeBron James, alongside the star-studded lineup of co-chairs, indicates the event’s commitment to spotlighting influential Black figures across diverse industries.
Wintour, who has curated the Met Gala since 1995, has been pivotal in illustrating new narratives around fashion. Recently, she was made a Companion of Honour by King Charles for her services to the industry, adding to her accolades, which include the Presidential Medal of Freedom received from President Joe Biden.
Guests attending this year’s event will be encouraged to interpret the dress code, “Tailored for You,” which emphasizes bespoke menswear styles aligned with the exhibition's focus on traditional tailoring and sartorial elegance.
“Tailored for You has a menswear focus and is purposefully created to provide guidance and invite creative interpretation,” announced Vogue via Instagram. The gala is set to showcase outfits reflecting this theme, allowing for various interpretations of personal style.
Fundraising for the event is supported by key contributions from organizations including Instagram, the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation established by Mellody Hobson and filmmaker George Lucas, and the Africa Fashion Foundation founded by Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, among others.
With this year’s exhibition set to run from May 6 to October 26, 2025, the event promises to be as educational as it is entertaining, providing public access to the artistry and historical significance behind Black dandy fashion.
Miller, the guest curator for the exhibition, notes, “It poses a challenge to or a transcendence of social and cultural hierarchies.” Her statement encapsulates the essence of what ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’ aims to convey through this richly layered exploration of identity and representation.
More than just a glamorous affair, the Met Gala acts as the launchpad for the highly-anticipated exhibit, promising to deliver insights and initiate dialogues about the influence of Black culture on fashion as well as its broader social ramifications.
The excitement surrounding the 2025 Met Gala is palpable, with expectations for memorable fashion moments, meaningful conversations, and fresh perspectives on the role of identity and power through sartorial styles.
Come May 5, 2025, the world will be watching; the Met Gala will continue to influence and inspire future generations, showcasing how style can advocate for cultural heritage and creative expression.