Aimee Lou Wood made a stunning debut at the 2025 Met Gala, showcasing her unique style and a commitment to social causes.
After gaining fame for her role as Chelsea in the hit HBO series The White Lotus, Wood arrived at fashion's biggest night with a look that expertly blended classic elegance with contemporary flair. She wore a tailored black cropped suit jacket paired with a flowing silk skirt that opened in the front to reveal fitted shorts, a playful nod to the ‘business in the back, party in the front’ aesthetic.
Wood’s outfit was completed with black pumps by Manolo Blahnik and a standout accessory: custom white socks adorned with colorful hand-stitched flowers. These socks, crafted by Bombas, were not just a fashion statement; they also served a charitable purpose. Wood and her stylist, Felicity Kay, decided to donate 5,000 pairs of socks to the Rainbow Center in Tacoma, Washington, and 5,000 to Closet2Closet in Rock Hill, Illinois, as part of Bombas' ongoing charitable efforts.
Keeping her styling simple, Wood opted for slicked-back hair and understated diamond accessories, allowing her socks to take center stage. Underneath, she wore black tights by Hue, a choice that complemented her overall look. "We think Chelsea would approve," noted one observer, referencing her The White Lotus character.
On the eve of the gala, Wood faced a few challenges. Her flight to New York was delayed due to bad weather, leading to a tense wait as the plane circled over JFK. "At one point the pilot said, we have enough fuel to keep us up. I was like… I hadn’t even thought about that!" she recalled. Despite the rocky start, Wood felt reassured by the presence of her co-stars Ncuti Gatwa and Patrick Schwarzenegger, who also walked the red carpet that night.
As she prepared for her first Met Gala, Wood received advice from actress Michelle Monaghan, who encouraged her to focus on enjoying the event rather than stressing about the carpet. "Michelle was like, you just have to get past the carpet. Once you’re inside, it’s really, really fun," Wood shared.
Wood’s Met Gala look was designed by Priya Ahluwalia, a London designer known for her work that celebrates cultural pride. The outfit was a tribute to the Congolese Sapeurs, whose elegant style emerged as a form of resistance against colonial oppression. "I wanted to do something that spotlights Congolese culture," Ahluwalia explained. Her design featured silk lapels, buttons, and handcrafted floral details on Wood's shoes, which were inspired by the national flowers of Congo and Nigeria.
Wood expressed admiration for Ahluwalia, saying, "I met Priya at a party a few years ago, and I was just like: I love her. She’s the coolest." Ahluwalia, who has been following Wood's career, remarked, "I’ve got a lot of time for Aimee – I love her work. I just think she’s so endearing."
The absence of vibrant colors in Wood's ensemble meant that the focus was on the shape and intricate details of the garment. Stylist Kay emphasized the powerful impact of tailoring, stating, "It’s a real demonstration of what tailoring can do, and how powerful it can be." Wood, who has moved away from the more girly styles of her earlier red-carpet appearances, felt this look resonated with her personal style. "I’m so obsessed with a shirt and tie," she said, referencing her admiration for Julia Roberts' iconic Golden Globes suit.
As the evening unfolded, Wood reflected on the whirlwind of her career, particularly following the success of The White Lotus. Despite the pressure and intense attention, she was determined to embrace the experience. "I think my brain instinctively goes to fear… I just wanna stay home. But it’s been so helpful to speak to Leslie [Bibb] and Michelle. They were like, this doesn’t happen all the time, the show is a phenomenon – you’ll regret not doing it, so just deal with the exhaustion later!"
With her co-stars by her side, Wood felt a sense of camaraderie that eased her nerves. She was particularly excited about the chance to showcase her style alongside fellow actors like A$AP Rocky, Zendaya, and Dua Lipa. Yet, amid the glamour, she humorously noted that she needed to inform her family back home in Stockport about her attendance at the gala. "I need to text my mum and tell her," she laughed, realizing she had been so caught up in preparations that she forgot to share the news.
As for her future, Wood has aspirations to transition into film, particularly in the romantic comedy genre. "I had a meeting yesterday, and we were talking about really wanting to bring back the classic rom-com," she revealed. "Like Broadcast News, How Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle… It’s the comedic timing; we’ve missed that. So I feel like I would love to write next. I would love to write a classic rom-com."
With her Met Gala debut behind her and a bright future ahead, Aimee Lou Wood is undoubtedly a talent to watch in both fashion and film.
