MET GALA 2025: A Historic Night at the Met as Black Fashion Takes Center Stage

As Spike Lee peered through his unmistakable orange spectacles—perfectly coordinated with his New York Knicks cap—he took in the glittering scene of the Met Gala with quiet satisfaction. “It took a while,” he said, “but we’re finally here. That’s what matters.”

Lee’s words resonated with the evening’s unprecedented theme: for the first time, the Met Gala was explicitly celebrating Black fashion and the designers behind it. “Long overdue,” he repeated. “But we’re here to honor it now—and the ripple effects will be felt far and wide.”

That sense of significance permeated the cocktail hour, where more than 400 notable guests—from the worlds of art, music, fashion, sports, and theater—gathered amid anticipation. Many made their way to the Met’s featured exhibit, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, a sweeping exploration of Black menswear dating back to the 18th century, all threaded through the lens of dandyism.

Filmmaker Baz Luhrmann, among those touring the exhibit curated by scholar Monica L. Miller, expressed surprise that such a tribute had taken so long. “This is the kind of subject where you ask, ‘Why haven’t we focused on this before?’ Black sartorial influence is enormous, but it’s been under-discussed.”

For Whoopi Goldberg, the night carried a personal poignancy. Absent from the gala was her longtime friend, the late André Leon Talley, an icon of Black style who is honored in the exhibit through garments and personal items. “They did him proud,” she said. “This is exactly the way to honor someone who meant so much.”

Activist Reverend Al Sharpton added depth to the evening’s meaning, describing dandyism as a form of wordless resistance. “Even in a world that limits you, you dress with pride,” he said. “You tip your hat. It’s rebellion without a sound.”

The exhibit and evening resonated particularly for performers like Audra McDonald and Alex Newell, who saw the gala as a reclamation of cultural identity. “It’s a vital moment,” said Newell. “Representation matters—especially now.”

Guests ascended into the museum’s Great Hall under thousands of suspended fabric petals, simulating a starlit sky. A live orchestra played soul classics by Stevie Wonder and Al Green, enhancing the immersive ambiance.

Sarah Snook, star of Broadway’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, attended in a tailored black suit Oscar Wilde might have applauded. “He’d have loved this,” she quipped. “It’s a night for beauty and boldness.”

Newcomers to the event, including 19-year-old model Christian Latchman—whose portrait graces the exhibition’s catalog—stood wide-eyed among the grandeur. “Astonishment,” he said, summing up his experience in a single word.

As the High and Mighty Brass Band paraded through the venue, beckoning guests to dinner, the spirit of celebration carried into the evening with a vibrant meal by Chef Kwame Onwuachi. Dishes like papaya piri piri salad, creole roasted chicken, and cosmic brownie desserts added flavor to a night already rich with culture, homage, and historic firsts.

Images here!