Met Gala 2025: Black Dandyism and Art References Dominate the Red Carpet
The 2025 Met Gala, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, celebrated Black dandyism and tailoring, with countless references to art and costume history. Zendaya wore a Louis Vuitton by Pharrell Williams zoot suit, which Dapper Dan—also present—called the first fashion item with a dedicated popular song. Cynthia Erivo's Givenchy Haute Couture ensemble by Sarah Burton referenced Iké Udé's 'Sartorial Anarchy #4', a portrait of Ignatius Sancho by Allan Ramsay, and styles from Prince and André Leon Talley. Lewis Hamilton, a co-chair, wore an Art Deco brooch by Briony Raymond and a hat by Stephen Jones, who has a major solo exhibition in Paris. The red carpet was designed by artist Cy Gavin, featuring white and yellow narcissi on a navy blue field, realized by set designer Derek McLane and event planner Raúl Àvila.
Key facts
- Met Gala 2025 preceded the Costume Institute exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Theme centered on tailoring and the Black dandy figure.
- Zendaya wore a Louis Vuitton by Pharrell Williams zoot suit.
- Dapper Dan called the zoot suit the first fashion item with a dedicated popular song.
- Cynthia Erivo's look by Sarah Burton referenced Iké Udé's 'Sartorial Anarchy #4'.
- Erivo's inspiration also included a portrait of Ignatius Sancho by Allan Ramsay.
- Lewis Hamilton co-chaired the event and wore an Art Deco brooch by Briony Raymond.
- Stephen Jones, who made Hamilton's hat, has a major solo exhibition in Paris.
- The red carpet was designed by artist Cy Gavin with narcissi on a navy blue field.
- The carpet was realized by Derek McLane and Raúl Àvila.
Entities
Artists
- Pharrell Williams
- Zendaya
- Dapper Dan
- Cynthia Erivo
- Sarah Burton
- Iké Udé
- Allan Ramsay
- Ignatius Sancho
- Prince
- André Leon Talley
- Lewis Hamilton
- Briony Raymond
- Stephen Jones
- Cy Gavin
- Derek McLane
- Raúl Àvila
- Giulio Solfrizzi
Institutions
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Costume Institute
- Louis Vuitton
- Givenchy Haute Couture
Locations
- New York
- United States
- Harlem
- Paris
- France