Fashion’s biggest night of the year struck NYC to its core once again at this year’s Met Gala. Stars from all over the globe flocked to the monumental Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) to show off their execution of this year’s theme: “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” Stars like Sabrina Carpenter, Teyna Taylor, Rihanna, Zendaya, and so many more carried out the theme to its full potential. Some of this year’s designs worked while others did not.
To begin, it is important to understand what this year’s theme meant in terms of fashion. Andrew Bolton, the chief curator of The Costume Institute at the Met, chooses the theme each year and then has to receive approval from Vogue magazine’s Editor-In-Chief Anna Wintour before proceeding. According to Vogue’s website (Vogue.com), this year’s theme is defined as, “a fashion revolution, a movement steeped in history, resistance, and pride.” But its impact stretches far beyond the sartorial; it is a cultural statement, an act of protest, and above all, an enduring celebration of individuality. This year’s theme brought out some of the best Met Gala looks in history and spotlighted designers who came from all over to produce true works of art.
Taking a deep dive into the best and worst looks of the 2025 Met Gala, a good starting point is Rihanna, in Marc Jacobs, with one of the first looks of the night. Rihanna was dressed in a black, cropped, woolen jacket, along with a wool bustier bodysuit and a tailored black, pinstripe, wool skirt. Her stylist, Jahleel Weaver, paired the outfit with a polka-dot satin cravat, ankle chain pumps, and finished off the look with a hat that Marc Jacobs created in collaboration with Stephen Jones. Freshman Kaylee Weinman commented on this look: “I loved Rihanna’s suit because it looked very elegant and worked extremely well alongside this year’s theme. I also was caught by surprise when she showed off her baby bump for the first time!” On the other hand, some stars did not “suit up” for the occasion.
Hailey Bieber collaborated with Saint Laurent for her take on this year’s theme. Bieber was dressed in a short, black tuxedo jacket that she wore as a dress along with a Yves Saint Laurent logo embellished tights, 25-carat diamond from Tiffany & Co., and her whopping eight-inch platform stilettos to finish the look. Although some feel that this is not a complete “flop,” her outfit has been seen by many as too casual for an event that costs around $75,000 per ticket (yes, even if you were invited!) and could be categorized as unimaginative when compared to the other 307 looks. When asked about her thoughts on Beiber’s outfit, freshman Victoria Coniglio shared, “She styled it well, and her makeup was on point, but she was severely underdressed for the occasion and could have definitely done more with her look.”
One of the best looks of the event was Nicki Minaj in Thom Browne. Minaj arrived in an iconic pinstripe suit dress that featured bold white stripes and a wide neckline with a gorgeous mermaid skirt. Her outfit also featured an array of ruffled flowers that cascaded over her shoulder and continued down the back of the dress. Her hair was placed intricately in a curled updo, and she finished the look with a gold headpiece. Freshman Jayden Charles, a huge fan of Minaj and her music, could not have loved the look more: “Everything was on point. The hair, the makeup, and especially her stunning dress…she represented this theme down to the bone and could not have done a better job.”
This year’s Met Gala brought so many new surprises and memories. Many fans of fashion look forward to seeing the same excitement at next year’s event.
