The 2025 Met Gala dress code is going to be huge for menswear. Here’s why
The 2025 Met Gala theme is 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style'. Are Black men finally getting their fashion dues?
THE 2025 MET GALA theme and dress code has been announced, and already, it’s one for the books. Titled ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’, the event – and associated exhibition – will mark the first time the Met Gala has focused entirely on work from designers of colour. A clear celebration of black style, and men’s utilisation of fashion to demonstrate their creative freedom and represent themselves autonomously, it’s also the first time in over 20 years the Gala theme has had a menswear focus. This focus is embodied in the celebrity co-chairs, who have also just been announced.
The theme ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’ is inspired by a book. In 2009 Monica L. Miller published the seminal Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. The focus of the book, and inspiration for next year’s theme and exhibition is best described in Miller’s own introduction:
“It is (a focus on) the transformation in black style – from costumed object designed to trumpet the wealth, status and power of white masters to self-styling subjects who use immaculate clothing, arch wit, and pointed gesture to announce their often controversial presence.”
The 2025 Gala and its accompanying exhibition will arrive at a pertinent time. From Pharrell Williams to Grace Wales Bonner and Maximilian Davis and Taofeek Abijako of Head of State, the brand behind Evan Mock’s butter yellow fit at the 2022 Met Gala, right now, some of the world’s most culturally relevant brands are run by Black people. By tapping into tailoring, specifically, the theme also creates space for the celebration of menswear, during a moment when tailoring is experiencing a huge resurgence.
With the focus on the rich cultural history the black dandy has to offer, one thing’s certain: prepare for some big, boundary-pushing, politically charged fits.
What is the 2025 Met Gala theme?
The Metropolitan Museum of Art 2025 Spring Exhibition and Met Gala theme is ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’.
What is the 2025 Met Gala dress code?
Informed by the exhibition, the dress code is titled ‘Tailored for You’, making this year’s Met Gala menswear’s biggest night. Unlike previous dress codes like ‘Gilded Age American Glamour’ (2021) or the Catholic ‘Sunday Best’ (2018), this year’s dress code is squarely focused on the traditions of tailoring.
Expect looks to be turned by Gala co-chairs, which include Pharrell Williams and Coleman Domingo (!), as well as the newly announced host committee including André 3000, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Simone Biles, Dapper Dan, Ayo Edebiri, Edward Enninful, Spike Lee, Janelle Monáe, Olivier Rousteing, Usher, and more. And with the the autumn/winter 2025 Men’s Fashion Month just wrapped, expect stars to appear in straight off-the-runway looks. (We’re betting heavily on Louis Vuitton, who’s menswear is designed under Williams, having a large contingent.)
But this isn’t to say that the dress code or the exhibition theme is all about men. Contemporary women designers who work in menswear will be major points in the exhibition and dressing the attendees. So expect designers such as Grace Wales Bonner, Bianca Saunders, and Martine Rose to be on the best dressed list to come.
Who is on the 2025 Met Gala host committee?
Announced with the dress code, the host committee includes:
- André 3000
- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens
- Grace Wales Bonner
- Jordan Casteel
- Dapper Dan
- Doechii
- Ayo Edebiri
- Edward Enninful
- Jeremy O. Harris
- Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
- Rashid Johnson
- Regina King
- Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee
- Audra McDonald
- Janelle Monáe
- Jeremy Pope
- Angel Reese
- Sha’Carri Richardson
- Olivier Rousteing
- Tyla, Usher
- Kara Walker
Who are the 2025 Met Gala co-chairs?
Not only are all of the 2025 Met Gala co-chairs Black men. They are also some of the most boundary-pushing men in fashion right now: Pharrell Williams, Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, and honorary co-chair LeBron James. Each co-chair has been hand-selected by Vogue Global Editorial Director Anna Wintour, who hosts the event, and who is also a co-chair herself.
If you could put together a fantasy league of Met Gala co-chairs for a theme that celebrates the history of black tailoring, these guys would be it. From Pharrell, who has made incomparable contributions to menswear and black culture in varying forms since bursting onto the scene in 2003, to LeBron, who has practically engineered the NBA’s reputation as a style powerhouse – not to mention Domingo, whose eclectic style is a favourite of fashion editor’s everywhere – this is the ultimate line-up to bring the vision of the theme to life.
What is a Met Gala co-chair?
A co-chair’s job is to embody the theme of the evening, help curate the atmosphere for the event and speak or occasionally perform. The co-chairs will work alongside permanent co-chair Anna Wintour, who has chaired the event since 1995. Basically, co-chairs are like CVO (Chief Vibe Officers) for the evening, while creating hype in the lead up.
When is the 2025 Met Gala?
The 2025 Met Gala will take place on May 5, 2025 (or the morning of May 6 in Australia). Save for during Covid, the event is historically held on the first Monday in May.
How much does a Met Gala ticket cost?
While you have to be invited by Anna Wintour, you also have to purchase a ticket to attend the event. An individual ticket costs approximately $111,700 (AUD). For a 10-seat table, prices start at $522,000.
If that seems steep, remember the Met Gala is a charity event, with contributions going towards the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It’s also worth nothing that most celebrities aren’t expected to cough up this fee; instead, brands will purchase a group of tickets and tables and invite their celebrity brand ambassadors to attend with them.
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