The first Monday in May is reserved for the Met Gala, arguably the most star-studded fashion spectacle of the world.
While the exclusive gala itself is never broadcasted, the preceding red carpet walk is a show on its own.
Here's what you need to know about the Met Gala 2025:
What is the Met Gala?
Since 1948, the Met Gala has been an A-list fundraising for the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
The event celebrates artistic achievement in fashion and is a melting pot for fashion archivists and scholars, designers and --of course-- the celebrities they dress. Anna Wintour, Vogue's editor-in-chief, has chaired the Met Gala since 1995.
Every year, the Met Gala is held the first Monday of May. This year's gala is set to take place on Monday, May 5. Red carpet starts around 4:30 p.m. and the livestream begins at 6:00 p.m.
What is the 2025 Met Gala theme?
This year's Met Gala theme is "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" which highlights the Costume Institute’s latest spring exhibition open from May 10 to October 26. The exhibition delves into the role of fashion in shaping Black identities across the Atlantic diaspora and is structured around key traits of black dandyism.
What is black dandyism?
Dandyism, once linked to aristocratic fashion, evolved into a symbol of Black liberation and self-expression. During the trans-Atlantic slave trade, enslaved individuals were dressed in fine, elaborate uniforms sometimes ornamented with gold or silver padlocks to showcase the social status of their owners.
Post-Emancipation, black individuals reclaimed their own identity, tweaking dandyism, adding their own flair. It gained traction during the Harlem Renaissance, a time when super tailored, sharp suits, bold accessories, and polished styles came to represent both elegance and resistance.
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