THE MET GALA 2025: A BREAK DOWN BY EMILYG
The Met this year featured some gorgeously on-theme looks and I’m so excited to sort through my favorites and least favorites. But before I do, let’s breakdown the theme of Black Dandyism — Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.
WHAT IS Black DANDYISM?
Dandyism, a term to describe a “dandy” is actually British slang to describe a rich, sophisticated aristocrat who dresses in fashionable, expensive clothing. It is rooted in the experiences of Black individuals in both the United States and the Caribbean during periods of enslavement and colonialism, when slave and plantation owners would force slaves to dress in fine clothing for “display.” In the early 19th and 20th centuries, black communities adopted and reclaimed the style to challenge stereotypes, assert their own individualism and freedoms, and continuously bend fashion trends to their will. It is a fusion of performance and protest, fueled by creativity, history, elegance and activism that impactful figures such as Frederick Douglas, Haitian revolutionary leader Toussaint Louverture, and women, too, like Gladys Bentley, have participated in.
The Black House (1973-1976) by Colin Jones
This article from National Geographic does an amazing job of delving into the history of Black Dandyism and is an informative and interesting read. Take a peek if you’re feeling inclined.
Now that we’ve covered what black dandyism is…
Let’s cover what it looks like by breaking down a few of the best and worst looks from this year, ranked (in my humble opinion) in no particular order.
Lauryn Hill in Stella McCartney
All I have to say is: ooh la la, dahhhling. It’s not often we see Lauryn Hill in the spotlight, as this was her first time at the Met but I sure hope it isn’t her last. She is the picture of class in this gorgeous look, designed by Ghanaian fashion designer Jude Dontoh. Her jewelry designer was Emefa Cole, who used single mine origin gold on the pieces celebrating Ghanaian royalty. And can we talk about the Birkin? The highest form of accentual, cerulean class totally completed the look here. I am obsessed.
Doechii in Louis vuitton
I gotta tell ya… I’m not a huge fan of this one. I love Doechii and her music, but this outfit is not doing it for me, and for one simple reason: monogram, monogram, monogram. It’s screaming at me. It has been a common theme for LV to put black models and celebs in more monogrammed, loud looks, and there are viewers and commenters all over socials with different opinions on this. My view on the look aligns with TikTok creator @a.jarrodjenkins, who made this video about the look, discussing LV’s decisions to consistently put black models on their website in only a certain kind of outfit or style. The difference in how Doechii was styled vs Sabrina Carpenter… well, it just doesn’t really sit right with me. Regardless, she is beautiful, and I liked the concept of the silhouette.
Emma Chamberlain in Courrèges
Oh, Emma. How I adore you. Dare I say, Chamberlain was one of the few white women to do this theme extremely right. It’s not a shock, though — Emma has never had a bad look at the Met. Styled by Nicolas Di Felice in Courrèges, Emma sported a sexy, backless, on-theme, incredibly stylish pin-striped gown with trendy glasses and a spiky pixie cut. 10’s across the board, imo. I’m in love.
Nicki Minaj in thom browne
Lurvvvv! Nicki was not only on-theme, but was the shining star of it this year. I am an absolute sucker for a mermaid silhouette, especially on an hourglass shape like Nicki’s. I love it when designers know how to dress a curvy woman, especially being a wide-hipped girly myself. The jacket with the bustier effect may be my favorite part, especially the pocket square and collar. I am also obsessed with her fancy updo and smoky eye look. Thom Browne most definitely knew what they were doing, and they did it with elegance and boldness. The queen of rap looked like royalty at the Met, indeed.
ASAP ROCKY IN… himself
Like a true Dandy would, ASAP designed this look on his own, choosing a custom design from his creative agency, AWGE. We all know Rocky is fashion-oriented (as well as extremeeeeeely crush-worthy) and has been a style icon since day 1. It only makes sense that he would design his look. I think of him as the prince of both fashion and rap, even though he’s been leaning into the fashion world more often these days. Maybe that’s just because I’m in love with him. Anyway. Back to the look. The jacket was inspired by the Marmot outerwear Rocky saw being worn in his native Harlem growing up. To him, the jackets represented modern-day dandyism, and he wanted to pay homage to that. “Marmots are a Harlem tradition—in the winter, everyone has a Marmot on,” Rocky told Vogue during his final fitting in New York. “That was our teenage jacket.” Sporty and fabulous, he made a statement on the carpet, that statement being: “I am beautiful and perfect.” OKAY, SORRY.
chappel roan in Paul Tazewell
One word: yikes. This look absolutely did nothing. Not only was it not on theme, but it looks like the Barbie Movie cowgirl outfit. I really did expect better from Chappel, as she usually loves to speak out and be an activist for any and everyone, but she failed here. I guess the fact that she’s wearing a suit was her version of a contribution to the trend, but it kind of just looks like a glittery unicorn threw up all over her. This outfit looks like something she’d wear to perform, not something one should wear to the Met, especially with such a cool and historically important theme. I think this is probably my official least favorite look from this year.
hailey bieber in really stupid
Okay — I take it back. This may be the worst look. Chappel’s may have been too much, but this may be too little, which is arguably worse. Saint Laurent dismally failed here. It’s giving Zara blazer and stripper heels. Somehow, she even makes the jewelry look cheap. Hailey either understood the look and didn’t want to put in any effort, or didn’t understand the look and tried her best — I’m not sure which would be more embarrassing. You can do better than this, girly. This look for me is also one of the worst of this year, right up there with Kendall Jenner’s, Kim Kardashian’s, Chappel’s, and EVEN ANNA WINTOUR'S. What are we doing, Ladies?
zendaya in Louis Vuitton by phaRrell williams
I want to end on a positive note, which is why I’m ending with an angel from heaven. Zendaya’s look, designed by Pharrell Williams with LV, was inspired by the incomparable Diana Ross in Mahogany (1975). It’s on-theme, incredibly classy, but bold, and seriously stunning. I literally want to own this outfit. Zendaya’s commanding, 5’10”, lengthy beauty remains seen in this incredible silhouette. I love the flare of the pants and the pearly white buttons. The hat adds some mystique and personality, too, which I really appreciate. This mayyy have to be my favorite look.
I’ve yapped enough.
I’d love to know what you guys think. Are my takes crazy? (I hope not, but to each their own.) Do you like ‘em? Hate ‘em? You can always dm me or leave comments on my Instagram to let me know what you think.
