New York City — The Metropolitan Museum of Art transformed into a vibrant celebration of Black history, style, and cultural expression on Monday night, as the 2025 Met Gala unfolded under the poignant theme “Tailored for You.” Despite persistent rain, fashion’s most anticipated night dazzled with creativity and homage, blending sartorial artistry with powerful storytelling.

This year’s dress code — a nod to the Costume Institute’s latest exhibition “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” — invited guests to explore the rich lineage of Black dandyism. The blue-carpeted steps of the Met served as a runway for dramatic reinventions of 1940s zoot suits, sharp tailoring, and bold statements, drawing direct inspiration from the Harlem Renaissance and the expressive fashion of Black creatives.

Fashion legend Dapper Dan, speaking ahead of the event, declared that “real dandyism” began with the zoot suit era — a period when “Black artists and creatives began to dress the way they felt.” His words came to life as guests redefined tailoring with flair, drama, and personal narrative.

For the first time in Met Gala history, the dress code centered on menswear — and challenged designers to tailor tradition to fit all genders. Doja Cat rocked a sculptural Marc Jacobs blazer with exaggerated 1980s shoulders, while Tessa Thompson and rapper Doechii stunned in bold, wide-lapeled suits. Janelle Monáe delivered a conceptual twist with a “suit within a suit” ensemble, complete with a bowler hat and spinning clock monocle, merging whimsy with precision.

Other fashion highlights included Zendaya’s Louis Vuitton three-piece masterpiece and Lupita Nyong’o’s aquamarine Chanel cape ensemble — a regal blend of sophistication and storytelling.

Men of the night embraced color and character: Bridgerton’s Regé-Jean Page turned heads in all-red suiting, Henry Golding shimmered in gold, and Bad Bunny fused tradition and rebellion in a relaxed brown set paired with a Puerto Rican pava hat.

Personal tributes were another highlight of the evening. Co-chair Colman Domingo honored André Leon Talley with a flowing Valentino cape, while fellow co-chair Lewis Hamilton and actress Anne Hathaway echoed the late editor’s signature style in patent leather and sharp collars. “The Bear” star Ayo Edebiri paid homage to her own heritage through a Ferragamo design inspired by her father and the dandy men in her life.

Supermodel Gigi Hadid’s Miu Miu creation channeled fashion trailblazer Zelda Wynn Valdes, the first Black designer to open a boutique on Broadway, while Jodie Turner-Smith drew from the elegance of equestrian Selina Lazevski.

The evening’s most heartwarming moment came with the legendary Diana Ross, who made her first Met Gala appearance in over two decades. Wearing a show-stopping gown with an 18-foot-long train embroidered with the names of her children and grandchildren, Ross embodied the night’s spirit of legacy and pride.

The 2025 Met Gala was more than a fashion event — it was a celebration of Black excellence, tailored with love, culture, and meaning.