Fashion’s biggest night, the Met Gala 2025, returns on Monday, May 5, transforming the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art into a star-studded runway. This year’s theme, “Tailored for You,” is tied to the Costume Institute’s upcoming exhibition, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” which opens to the public on May 10.
Curated by Andrew Bolton with guest curator Monica Miller, the show explores Black dandyism from the 18th century to today, honoring its influence on modern fashion and culture.
Who’s Hosting the Met Gala 2025?
The 2025 Met Gala makes history with four male co-chairs:
- Colman Domingo (actor)
- A$AP Rocky (rapper)
- Lewis Hamilton (Formula 1 driver)
- Pharrell Williams (musician and Louis Vuitton creative director)
They will work alongside Vogue’s Anna Wintour and honorary co-chair LeBron James to host the event.
Who’s Attending?
While the guest list remains under wraps, the 2025 host committee includes big names from sports, music, fashion, and art, such as:
- Simone Biles, Angel Reese, Sha’Carri Richardson
- Doechii, Tyla, Usher, Janelle Monáe
- Ayo Edebiri, Regina King, Dapper Dan, Edward Enninful, Olivier Rousteing
- Rashid Johnson, Kara Walker, Jordan Casteel
What Happens at the Met Gala?
The red carpet is a global fashion spectacle, but the main event is a private, black-tie fundraiser. Guests explore the exhibition and attend a formal dinner. Phones and social media use are discouraged, and Wintour personally oversees the guest list and seating chart.
In 2023, the gala raised nearly $22 million for the museum and generated $1.4 billion in media impact value — more than the Super Bowl, according to Launchmetrics.
Met Gala History:
Founded in 1948 as a fundraiser for the Costume Institute, the Met Gala has evolved into a pop culture phenomenon. The first themed gala was held in 1973, titled “The World of Balenciaga.” Over the years, iconic themes have included:
- Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination
- Camp: Notes on Fashion
- China: Through the Looking Glass
Met Gala Controversies & Rules:
From Tina Fey calling it a “jerk parade” to Anna Wintour’s known ban on Donald Trump, the event has seen its share of drama. Despite Wintour’s no-social-media policy, guests have been caught smoking inside, and yes — even accidentally twinning, like Olivia Wilde and Margaret Zhang in identical Chloé dresses in 2023.
Still, the Met Gala remains the most prestigious—and most watched—fashion event in the world.
