“I want to say one thing, they done f**ked up and made the Met Ball Black,” exclaimed image architect Law Roach in a viral video from one of the fashion-forward events leading up to the first Monday in May, where all eyes were on New York City at the 2025 Costume Institute Benefit.
As described by VOGUE, the Roach hosted the “First Friday in May” celebration alongside rapper Doechii and photographer Tyler Mitchell at Ginny’s Supper Club in Harlem, with attendees including Met Gala co-chairs Colman Domingo and A$AP Rocky. Additional guests included A$AP Twelvyy, Ayo Edebiri, Laura Harrier, and more, all celebrating the boldness of Black fashion.
Law Roach’s declaration at the one-night-only affair amplified a sense of pride that echoed among Black fashion historians, stylists, enthusiasts, and designers since this year’s Met Gala dress code and exhibition theme were announced.
This year’s event maintained a dress code of “Tailored for You,” a nod to the museum exhibit’s focus on menswear, and is “purposefully designed to provide guidance and invite creative interpretation.” Inspired by guest curator Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book, Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity, the challenge was set, but what exactly does that mean?
Were Black fashion designers and tailors prioritized for red carpet looks? Did Black artists, models, athletes, and tastemakers exist as the majority on the red carpet? Did stylists and attendees make sure to understand the storied history of Black Dandyism why it matters?
Circa 1890: A young man wearing a formal suit and top hat.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Black dandyism evolved from the British dandy culture of the 1700s and the transatlantic slave trade. As explained by VOGUE, Black dandyism is specifically rooted in the post-Emancipation period, in the United States, and came into full force during the Harlem Renaissance. At the time, dandyism was used to rebel against standards set for Black people whose ancestors endured American chattel slavery, and in the racially segregated South, as a method of resistance.
The Black dandy message is loud — colorful prints, luxury tweeds and silks, and striking silhouettes are more than an aesthetic. It is a political statement protesting against what an inequitable society has manifested for Black people through centuries of bigotry.
In full, Black dandysim is more than a perfectly fitted pair of trousers or a tilted fedora, but an aura complete with attitude, performance, and intent to disrupt. Miller explained, “Dandyism can seem frivolous, but it often poses a challenge to or a transcendence of social and cultural hierarchies,” in a statement earlier this year. “It asks questions about identity, representation, and mobility in relation to race, class, gender, sexuality, and power.”
The exhibit itself is divided into 12 sections, each representing a characteristic that defines dandy style: Ownership, Presence, Distinction, Disguise, Freedom, Champion, Respectability, Jook (defined in Zora Neale Hurston’s “Characteristics of Negro Expression” — an important reference for the exhibition — as a space for dancing, drinking, and other leisure activities), Heritage, Beauty, Cool, and Cosmopolitanism.
Previews of the exhibition, which is open for public viewing on May 10, highlighted across The Costume Institute’s social media features moments, pieces, and statements from the late André Leon Talley, the late Virgil Abloh, streetwear pioneer Dapper Dan, and garments and accessories by contemporary Black designers such as Denim Tears, Botter, Wales Bonner, and more.
Anna Wintour, Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton at The 2025 Met Gala Celebrating “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York, New York.
Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images
This year’s attendees ranged from the aforementioned co-chairs, along with Pharrell Williams and Lewis Hamilton. Honorary co-chair LeBron James was unable to attend due to a knee injury sustained on the NBA court.
Host committee members included André 3000, Grace Wales Bonner, Doechii, Ayo Edebiri, Regina King, Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee, Janelle Monáe, Jeremy Pope, Angel Reese, Sha’Carri Richardson, Olivier Rousteing, and Tyla. Others who opted to put their dandiest foot forward on fashion’s biggest night are Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, Doja Cat, Damson Idris, Halle Berry, and more.
André 3000 at The 2025 Met Gala Celebrating “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York, New York.
Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images
While the Met left the floor open to interpretation, to define a look as Black dandyism under the “superfine” instructions, keen needlework, daring menswear, and intentional accessories are key indicators of this year’s best dressed.
The biggest controversy came in the form of K-Pop star Lisa Manoba’s Louis Vuitton look. The full outfit featured a bodysuit with embroidered faces smiling from her crotch area, one of which, the internet speculated to be Rosa Parks. According to a statement by Louis Vuitton, the lace depicts “portraits of figures who have been a part of the artist’s life,” per PEOPLE Magazine.
“Putting a civil rights icon like Rosa Parks on your c00ch, especially after you just got exposed for saying the n-word is CRAZY,” asserted one user on X.
Overall, with Black designers, Black stylists, and Black culture highlighted, the carpet was one of the best for us at-home fashion connoisseurs to view from the comfort of our leisurewear in recent years, with most attendees putting their best foot forward.
Moments such as Savannah James in a custom Hanifa Zoot Suit-inspired gown, styled by Casey “Icon” Billingsley, Lauryn Hill’s eye-catching Met debut, Tessa Thompson’s church fan with a depiction of André Leon Talley, and Rihanna‘s perfectly-fitted pregnancy announcement are just a few stand-out moments from the glamorous affair.
Hopefully, the celebration of Black dandyism is not in vain and goes beyond visual representation to industry-wide reverence, support, and recognition for Black professionals at all levels and viewpoints in the fashion industry. Per The New York Times, this year’s Met Gala raised a record $31 million this year, the biggest gross in the event’s 77-year history, cementing the value that has always existed in amplifying Black stories.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 05: A view of the exhibit during the press conference for the 2025 Met Gala celebrating “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City.
Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images
The “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition is available to view for free with museum admission from May 10 – Oct. 26, 2025, for a full picture of the evolution of Black dandyism. The exhibition was made possible by Louis Vuitton. Major funding was also provided by Instagram, the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation, Africa Fashion International, founded by Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, and The Perry Foundation.
Read below as VIBE lists the best-dressed at the 2025 Met Gala, listing the top looks that channeled the spirit of Black dandyism’s past, present, and future.
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Ms. Lauryn Hill
Image Credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images Ms. Lauryn Hill made her Met Gala debut in a yellow double-breasted suit with a dramatic shoulder detail and a lengthy train. The look was accessorized with jewelry from Emefa Cole, a London-based Ghanaian jewelry designer, and a classic Hermès Kelly bag.
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Babyface
Image Credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images Babyface walked the 2025 Met Gala blue carpet in a custom black and white tweed suit by LaQuan Smith.
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Angela Bassett
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images Angela Bassett made her Met Gala debut in a velvet vine-jacquard tuxedo cape, waistcoat, tuxedo trousers with side stripes, and a hat by Jon Narcisso Millinery, styled by Jennifer Austin.
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Lupita Nyong’o
Image Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Lupita Nyong’O stood out at the 2025 Met Gala in a custom aquamarine lurex wool jacket embellished with a satin collar with matching pants, satin blouse with a tone-on-tone satin bow, and an aquamarine chiffon cape, inspired by look 67 from the CHANEL Haute Couture Fall-Winter 2015/26 collection. She accessorized with CHANEL camelia brooches, hat, and shoes, styled by Micaela Erlanger.
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Teyana Taylor
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images Teyana Taylor bloomed as a “Harlem Rose” at the 2025 Met Gala in a custom look co-designed by Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter and Marc Jacobs.
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Rihanna
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images Rihanna glowed on the 2025 Met Gala red carpet, debuting a baby bump, in a custom wool suit by Marc Jacobs and a custom Marc Jacobs x Stephen Jones hat.
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Laura Harrier
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images Laura Harrier elegantly slayed the 2025 Met Gala red carpet in a custom look designed in the Gap Studio by Gap Inc. Executive Vice President and Creative Director Zac Posen for the 2025 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The look was inspired by family photographs of Harrier’s father and grandfather in their Sunday best.
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Lewis Hamilton
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images Lewis Hamilton stepped up as a co-chair of the 2025 Met Gala, wearing a Wales Bonner suit and a beret by Stephen Jones Millinery, styled by Eric McNeal. Details such as materials like ivory and cowrie shells completed the “spiritual” look.
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Khaby Lame
Image Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Khaby Lame made his Met Gala debut, styled by Ugo Mozie, in a custom BOSS pinstripe suit by Marco Falcioni adorned with vintage pocket watches.
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Brian Tyree Henry
Image Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Brian Tyree Henry styled himself in custom Orange Culture Nigeria at the 2025 Met Gala, per The Hollywood Reporter.
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Kaytranada
Image Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue Kaytranda paid homage to Miles Davis at the 2025 Met Gala per VOGUE, styled by Von Ford in custom McQueen. His full look included a shrunken tailored jacket and kickback trousers in black exaggerated cavalry wool twill, tuxedo shirt in white cotton poplin and layered collar in ivory washed silk, organza, and georgette, and Heron Oxfords in black leather and Metal T-Bar Oval sunglasses.
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Whoopi Goldberg
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images Whoopi Goldberg made a statement at the 2025 Met Gala in Thom Browne, handcrafted in New York by L’enchanteur. The look features a black duchess satin raglan-sleeve tailored dress and a stacked matte white sequin overcoat, heavily embroidered with 350,000 matte white sequins.
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Janelle Monáe
Image Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Janelle Monáe turned heads at the 2025 Met Gala in a custom Thom Browne look created in collaboration with Academy Award-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell. The look also featured the first-ever Tequila diamond made from 1800 Cristalino Tequila.
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Tessa Thompson
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images Tessa Thompson was perfectly outfitted in custom Prabal Gurung and Saidian Vintage Jewels at the 2025 Met Gala, per VOGUE Australia. She also accessorized with a church fan that paid homage to André Leon Talley.
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Zendaya
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images Zendaya nailed superfine tailoring at the 2025 Met Gala in Louis Vuitton by Pharrell Williams, styled by Law Roach.
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Damson Idris
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images Damson Idris made an entrance at the 2025 Met Gala, breaking free of F1 costuming complete with a race car arrival and helmet adorned with crystals. The suit was dramatically torn away to reveal a sleek, burgundy suit with gold detailing. Both looks were custom Tommy Hilfiger.
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Dapper Dan
Image Credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images Dapper Dan came through at the 2025 Met Gala wearing a black and white zoot suit that featured the Sankofa Adinkra symbol in the print and the image of the Sankofa bird on the back of the jacket. As defined by Akinkra.org, the symbols originated from the Gyaman people of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. Sankofa has the meaning of “the wisdom of learning from the past to build for the future.”
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Bad Bunny
Image Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue Bad Bunny paid tribute to Puerto Rico at the 2025 Met Gala. The chart-topping musician wore a perfectly-fitted brown Prada suit and traditional Pava hat.
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Andra Day
Image Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue Andra Day brightened the 2025 Met Gala blue carpet in a stunning custom fuschia suit by Jérôme Lamaar. The look was hand-embellished and styled by Wouri Vice.
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Jodie Turner-Smith
Image Credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images Jodie Turner-Smith captivated 2025 Met Gala cameras in a custom Burberry look styled by Wayman Bannerman and Micah McDonald.
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Maluma and Willy Chavarría
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images Colombian superstar Maluma graced the 2025 Met Gala blue carpet wearing a custom zoot suit designed by Willy Chavarría and styled by Stephanie Escobar. Together, Chavarría and Maluma’s looks were a tribute to Pachucos, which the designer described to Women’s Wear Daily as “the quintessential dandy from the 30s and 40s representing Latinos and Blacks, who dressed as a form of resistance and beauty.”
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Savannah James
Image Credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images Savannah James made her Met Gala debut in custom Hanifa, and a head-turning 40-inch wig.
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Alton Mason
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images Alton Mason stunned on at the 2025 Met Gala with a bedazzled eyepatch, heavyweight diamond rings, and exaggerated shoulders, outfitted by BOSS.
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Tramell Tillman
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images Severance star Tramell Tillman opted for a black and white Met Gala debut, wearing custom Thom Browne that took 300 hours of handwork. As detailed, the look included an elongated tailcoat in black velvet, tipped in black silk satin, and adorned with a bouquet of handcrafted calla lilies attached to the chest with a silk satin ribbon, classic trousers in black and white pinstripe are worn with a cummerbund in black silk faille, a grey and white university stripe oxford shirt with a round collar and black silk faille bow tie. The shoes are opera ballerina spectators in black and white patent leather.
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Cardi B
Image Credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images Cardi B arrived at the 2025 Met Gala in Burberry suiting by designer Daniel Lee, styled by Kollin Carter.
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Jonquel Jones
Image Credit: Savion Washington/Getty Images WNBA star Jonquel Jones made her arrival at the 2025 Met Gala wearing Sergio Hudson, styled by Courtney May. The updo featuring her locs adorned with jewelry helped take the all-black look to the next level.
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Tracee Ellis Ross
Image Credit: Lexie Moreland/WWD via Getty Images Tracee Ellis Ross kept it playful at the 2025 Met Gala in a pink and mauve suit designed by Marc Jacobs, per PEOPLE Magazine.
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Colman Domingo
Image Credit: Lexie Moreland/WWD via Getty Images The 2025 Met Gala co-chair arrived at the annual event wearing a custom look from Valentino with jewelry courtesy of Boucheron. He entered the venue in a majestic blue cape, only to reveal a dapper, cream and black suit was hidden underneath. Domingo was styled by Wayman Bannerman and Micah McDonald.
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Imaan Hammam
Image Credit: Savion Washington/Getty Images Model Imaan Hammam attended the 2025 Met Gala wearing a custom Magda Butrym look styled by Imruh Asha.
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Tyler Mitchell
Image Credit: Lexie Moreland/WWD via Getty Images Tyler Mitchell attended the 2025 Met Gala wearing a custom ivory tuxeody with an Atlantic blue top collar from Wales Bonner, complete with leather gloves, feathers, and an eye-catching flower brooch.
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Keith Powers
Image Credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images Actor Keith Powers made his Met Gala debut wearing a custom BOSS look comprised of a slim-fitting cropped blazer and sophisticated wide-leg trousers, as described by the brand on social media.
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Diana Ross
Image Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Diana Ross took over the 2025 Met Gala in a dramatic white gown that was embroidered with the names of her five children and eight grandchildren. According to ELLE, the look was created by Ross in partnership with independent label Eleven Sixteen by Ugo Mozie.
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Kara Young
Image Credit: Lexie Moreland/WWD via Getty Images Broadway star Kara Young attended the 2025 Met Gala in anOnlyChild by Maxwell Osborne. The brown suit was complete with a bell hat and leather gloves
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Ayo Edebiri
Image Credit: Lexie Moreland/WWD via Getty Images Ayo Edebiri paid tribute to her family at the 2025 Met Gala wearing Ferragamo by Maximilian Davis, and styled by Danielle Goldberg. As detailed via VOGUE, the look featured glass beads mimicking coral frequently found on traditional Nigerian outfits, often worn by her father whom she called “one of the dandiest men I know.”
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Edvin Thompson
Image Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue Edvin Thompson made waves in his own design at the 2025 Met Gala in Custom THEOPHILIO Red Piny Hair Suite, News Boy Hat, a Custom 3D Hibiscus Broach with a Brandon Blackwood mink coat, and accessories from LAGOS jewelry
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