Here’s everything we know about the controversial Met Gala theme and what it actually means

Earlier this week, Vogue confirmed the dress code for the upcoming Met Gala after the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute announced this year’s theme as “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”

The first Monday in May is an iconic date for one reason, the Met Gala.

Each year, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute puts together a stunning display based on a singular theme, with Vogue putting together a star-studded event full of glitz, glamour, and cigarette breaks in the bathroom. Though the focus is undoubtedly on fashion, in more modern times the Met Gala is considered the height of celebrity culture. If you’re invited, it means you’ve made it.

Over the years we have seen some truly gorgeous themes, from 2024’s Garden of Time to the Camp theme people are still debating to this day. Though we are still a couple of months away, the theme was announced earlier this week.

What is the 2025 Met Gala theme?

According to The Met, the exhibition – which was announced a few months ago – will “explore the role of sartorial style in forming Black identities, focusing on the emergence, significance, and proliferation of the Black dandy.”

It was heavily inspired by the works of guest curator Monica L. Miller whose book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity is being used as a template.

On Tuesday, Vogue announced the dress code as “Tailored for You”, but there has been some confusion and controversy around what some are calling a “boring” and “predictable” theme. Others have said that it’s problematic to have white people dress in historically important Black tailoring.

ill be the first to say it … that met gala theme is weird , i dont want to see a bunch of white people impersonating black time period pieces

— khori (@_onlyko) February 4, 2025

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Clarifying the dress code, Vogue said: “Tailored for You can be interpreted in a myriad of ways, but it mostly means embracing looks reflective of one’s personal style.

“We can surely expect inspired takes on suiting—from versions of the zoot silhouette popularized by jazz musicians in the 1940s to the bold, colourful styles worn by Congolese sapeurs—though other menswear staples, such as hats, ties, canes, brooches, and pocket squares, are likely to have a strong showing too.”

As for the clothes the celebrities will wear, the sky really is the limit. Come May, I’m betting we will see lots of gender-bent outfits and clothing designed by Black artists.

Who are the chairs of the event?

Vogue EIC Anna Wintour is once again in charge of the lavish event, and though she ultimately has the final say on just about every detail, she couldn’t put it together without the aid of her co-chairs. Their exact roles differ from year to year, but the chairs are often involved in everything from picking the menu to the guest list.

This year, Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams and Anna Wintour will co-chair the 2025 Met Gala alongside honorary chair LeBron James. As you might expect from his ongoing legal trouble, A$AP Rocky’s inclusion has also sparked some controversy.

Roll on May 5!

Featured image credit: Matt Baron/Shutterstock & David Fisher/Shutterstock