This year’s Met Gala invited a thoughtful reflection on the cultural and aesthetic legacy of Black fashion. With the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” the night was a tribute to dandyism, sartorial rebellion, and the global influence of Black designers, stylists, and tastemakers. For many attendees, the red carpet became a platform not only for elegance but also for honoring personal histories and re-centering Black craftsmanship in the fashion canon.
Here are the standout looks that didn’t just meet the theme—they elevated it.
Janelle Monáe in Thom Browne
Best Dressed of the Night
Janelle Monáe delivered a multi-act performance, featuring fashion courtesy of Thom Browne. She arrived cloaked in a sharply structured black-and-white overcoat featuring trompe-l’œil illustrations of lapels, a tie, and a briefcase—a surrealist nod to traditional men’s tailoring. As the cameras clicked, Monáe revealed a floor-length skirt suit beneath, just as carefully tailored, with bold red piping and exaggerated hemlines. The ensemble was completed with a bowler hat, wingtip heels, and a monocle-inspired accessory draped across one eye. The look was both whimsical and commanding, capturing Black dandyism through a lens of futurism and performance art.
Colman Domingo in Valentino
Colman Domingo exuded regal sophistication in a custom Valentino look that balanced drama with dignity. He wore a sweeping cobalt blue pleated cape with an interior lined in intricate jacquard, layered over a gold-embellished white bolero and wide-leg wool trousers. His silk shirt shimmered subtly beneath the layers, accented by vintage silver jewelry and a polished walking cane. The silhouette evoked historical references—Liberian high society, West African ceremonial dress, and European court tailoring—all filtered through the lens of modern Black elegance.
Zendaya in Louis Vuitton
Zendaya offered one of the evening’s boldest reimaginings of the theme in a three-piece custom Louis Vuitton suit designed by Pharrell Williams. The stark white ensemble consisted of flared trousers, a tailored vest, and a blazer adorned with sculptural silver serpent embroidery. Her look was topped with a wide-brimmed hat reminiscent of 1970s glam and Bianca Jagger’s iconic Saint Laurent wedding suit. With minimalist makeup and a sleek updo, Zendaya embodied the power of simplicity executed with masterful precision.
Teyana Taylor in Marc Jacobs by Ruth E. Carter
Teyana Taylor collaborated with costume design legend Ruth E. Carter for a look rich in symbolism and craftsmanship. She wore a red pinstripe three-piece suit with extended lapels and matching trousers, tailored to perfection and layered beneath a voluminous scarlet quilted cape. The words “Harlem Rose” were embroidered across the hem in looping cursive, referencing both her upbringing and the strength of Black femininity. A wide-brimmed hat and a silver-handled cane completed the ensemble, tying the historical with the contemporary in a fearless display of style.
André 3000 in Burberry x Benjamin Bixby
André 3000 reminded us once again that fashion is his language of choice. Wearing a utilitarian navy jumpsuit designed in collaboration between Burberry and his label, Benjamin Bixby, he leaned into a workwear aesthetic inspired by the Southern Black laborer. Paired with thick-rimmed glasses, a neck scarf, and his now-iconic miniature grand piano backpack, the look was both referential and irreverent. The jumpsuit’s fine tailoring and vintage-washed denim were a subtle reminder that labor, style, and artistry are deeply intertwined in Black fashion history.
Diana Ross in Ugo Mozie
Diana Ross arrived like fashion royalty in a breathtaking all-white ensemble created by Ugo Mozie and Eleven Sixteen. She wore an 18-foot train cape that billowed dramatically behind her, evoking the grandeur of her stage presence. The look featured an oversized feathered hat that framed her face like a halo, with tailored underpinnings layered beneath. Embroidered throughout the garment were names from her family lineage—an intimate, elegant homage to the legacy she continues to build.
Ayo Edebiri in Ferragamo by Maximilian Davis
Ayo Edebiri brought quiet power to the carpet in an off-white structured tailcoat designed by Maximilian Davis for Ferragamo. The piece, inspired by a coat worn by her father in a vintage family photo, was worn over a floor-length shirtdress in crisp cotton. The high collar, layered lapels, and clean silhouette evoked both personal memory and high tailoring. Paired with a sleek bun and minimal jewelry, Edebiri’s look was a poignant meditation on heritage, restraint, and the transformative role of clothing in storytelling.
Bad Bunny in Prada
Bad Bunny showed thoughtful engagement with the theme in a chocolate brown Prada ensemble that fused traditional tailoring with poetic flair. The double-breasted jacket featured subtle pleating and floral embellishments, complemented by crystal-studded gloves, a white button-up, and gleaming white shoes. A standout accessory was his woven straw hat, reminiscent of the traditional Puerto Rican pava, grounding the look in cultural homage. The result was a hybrid of dandy style and diasporic pride, softened by a quietly romantic sensibility.
Lewis Hamilton in Wales Bonner
Lewis Hamilton wore one of the most meticulously detailed looks of the night. Designed by Grace Wales Bonner, the cream suit featured tuxedo-style stripes, a cropped jacket with a subtle peplum, and coattails that added theatrical elegance. A white silk bow tie and an embroidered sash lent ceremonial weight, while a matching beret capped the ensemble with a refined touch of cool. The look paid tribute to diasporic fashion and Black British tailoring, executed with modern grace.
Final Thought
This year’s Met Gala prompted guests to think deeply about what tailoring means, extending beyond construction into culture. The best looks honored Black craftsmanship not just through spectacle, but also through storytelling, family memory, and nuanced design. At the center of it all stood Janelle Monáe, not just dressed for the occasion, but defining it.
Which look was your favorite? Let us know!
XOXO,
Your Fashion Bestie
