Met Gala 2025: The ‘Dandyism’ Theme Explained & Top 5 Stunning Looks of the Night

(L-R): Lewis Hamilton, Jennie Kim, and Sadie Sink at the Met Gala 2025

The Met Gala: A Brief History of the World’s Most Famous Fashion Event

The annual Met Gala ceremony is considered as the world’s most prestigious red-carpet display of designer fashion. Although the show was first held in 1948, the annual themed gala only began in 1973. It’s first-ever specific theme focused on one of the big five fashion houses through ‘The World of Balenciaga’.

And the subsequent years that followed explored such themes as ‘Glamourous Hollywood’ to ‘Russian Costume’, and paying homage to influential fashion designers like ‘A Tribute to Diana Vreeland’ from the 1987 Met Gala. The event is dubbed as ‘one of the most famous’ in the fashion industry and harbours some of the world’s best designers onto one carpet.

The Met Gala 2025: This Year’s Theme Explained

The 78^th Met Gala saw Hollywood celebrities grace the blue carpet wearing unique designer looks. But the theme for this year marked the first theme since 2003 to focus solely on menswear. This year’s theme was ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’ under the category of ‘Tailored for You.’

Taking place on 5th May 2025, the annual Met Gala was hosted at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Costume Institute in Manhattan, New York City. This year’s dress code delved into the rich history of Black dandyism. To explain the theme further, ‘Superfine‘ consists of 12 themes, including Heritage, Beauty, and Respectability among many others.

What is ‘Black dandyism?’

Whilst ‘Tailoring Black Style’ represents a rich cultural history of over 300+ years of Black Style. The concept of ‘Black dandyism’ represents a clothing style which first spans back to as early as the 18th-century. The term ‘dandyism’ was used to describe a well-dressed male who distinctly attracted attention for the way that he dressed, which was defined along the lines of being smart and prim.

Yet ‘Black dandyism’ combined the concept of the well-dressed male with Black identities throughout Europe and the U.S. But the early influences actually originated from a cross between European and African fashions. Culturally rich in its history, the Met Gala no doubt chose this theme to highlight the wealth of historical and identity defining power held within the significant style aesthetic of Black dandyism; a concept which largely stemmed from such historically relevant events as imperialism and colonialism.

But seeing a fashion event hold focus on menswear is extremely refreshing and this new twist on the Met Gala theme undoubtedly showcased some of the best-dressed on the blue carpet. This article will delve into five best looks who truly perfected the theme and stole the spotlight from one of fashion’s biggest nights.

5. Met Gala Look: Lewis Hamilton

Talented Formula One driver, Lewis Hamilton clearly did his research and studied the dress code for this year’s Met Gala. All the way from the racetracks to the blue carpet, the look took three months of research to curate. Between Hamilton’s stylist, Eric McNeal and teaming up with fashion designer, Grace Wales Bonner, this all-white ensemble was inspired by the Harlem Renaissance.

But the beauty is really hidden deep within the details. There’s so much to this look from the tailored suit and the sash to brooches and cuff links. And of course, the beret by Stephen Jones Millinery which clearly made a fashion statement. To pay homage to African culture, Bonner embellished the sash with cowrie shells and personalised the brooches to contain Hamilton’s January birthstone, Garnet.

4. Met Gala Look: Rosé

Straight from the 1980s Saint Laurent archives, Rosé’s stylist, Yun Aeri opted her for a classic all-black suit by Anthony Vaccarello. Yun Aeri and Anthony Vaccarello worked together on the mood board to explore references and to keep to this year’s theme. But they wanted something extra special.

So to add more edge and flair to the look, the black cape which draped around Rosé’s arms was a later addition to the BLACKPINK alum’s Met Gala 2025 style. Frequent trendsetter to Jennie, Rosé’s look took big inspiration from fashion journalist and previous editor-at-large for Vogue Magazine, André Leon Talley who also infamously wore a dramatic cape to the 2011 Met Gala. Rosé topped the look off with glowy makeup, the wet hair look and paired her suit with strappy red heels.

3. Met Gala Look: Damson Idris

F1 actor, Damson Idris rocked up to the Met Gala blue carpet on an APXGP car as a not-so-subtle nod to promote his latest film. Of course, it wouldn’t be a fashion event without an outfit change.

Damson truly turned heads when his Tommy Hilfiger custom white racing jumpsuit was torn off to reveal a stunning red suit underneath. The tailored rouge-coloured suit, also designed by Tommy Hilfiger was inspired by his fashion brand’s pattern called ‘Tommy Tartan’.

But the Hollywood actor even managed a little self-promotion wearing a custom brooch from his own jewellery brand, DIDRIS. Iconic fashion designer, Tommy Hilfiger wanted to dig into the DNA of the brand to pull off this look. As such, details like the Ithaca Stripe inner lining of the suit and the satin lapel made the look pay homage to the designer house.

Although staying on theme was also an important aspect of Damson’s look and adding in a side satin stripe and a flare to his tailored trousers gave hints to a more modern-day dandyism look. The gold beading along the suit jacket also took a painstakingly 80 hours to accomplish. However, taking the look to a whole new level was of course the black, blue, white and red racing helmet which was completely bedazzled in Swarovski crystals.

2. Met Gala Look: Sadie Sink

Netflix’s Stranger Things star, Sadie Sink opted for a slightly different approach to this year’s Met Gala theme. Nevertheless to say it worked. The recent Tony nominee walked her first-ever Met Gala in custom Prada.

The all-black gown featured a long train and a bodice wrapped in black lace. Although Sadie Sink’s look interpreted the theme in a slightly different way, it was one of the most stunning gowns of the night.

1. Met Gala Look: Jennie

Two words – absolutely sensational. Need we say anymore? Jennie Kim from BLACKPINK aced the 2025 theme. She stunned on the blue carpet with a Chanel off-the-shoulder black and white tuxedo jumpsuit with a sculptural overskirt along with a matching hat. The skirt even featured pockets and brought back the low-high style skirt into trending fashion. Jennie’s look was inspired by the 1920s and 1930s Chanel runway looks.

Here the details really matched the theme of ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’. The gown included such details as pearls, brooches, and a centre flower. Jennie’s nails even matched with pearl chains. Her hair was also styled back into a low bun in the shape of a bow. Jennie’s Met Gala 2025 look really gave vibes of Audrey Hepburn’s Holly Golightly from the classic, Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961).

Who do you think outshined on the blue carpet at the Met Gala 2025?
Leave a comment below to let us know your favourite look(s) from the night.