While Jodie Turner-Smith made headlines at last year’s Met Gala for a romantic custom Burberry gown adorned with over 150,000 faux pearls, her 2025 appearance took a different turn, one rooted in strength and structure.
Returning to the Met GalaGalaA formal fundraising or celebratory event known for black-tie dress, high-fashion red-carpet looks, and elaborate dinners. Galas let designers dress public figures in statement gowns and tuxedos, and they oftenGo to Gala Glossary to celebrate Black dandyism, the actor wore another custom Burberry creation, this time inspired by Selika Lazevski, a Black equestrian who lived in Belle Époque Paris. Drawing from an 1891 photograph by Paul Nadar, the look reimagined the traditional Victorian silhouette in rich, textured leather, complete with a coordinating top hat.
Over the past few years, Turner-Smith has cultivated a strong creative partnership with Burberry, so it was fitting she returned to the British label for this year’s Met GalaGalaA formal fundraising or celebratory event known for black-tie dress, high-fashion red-carpet looks, and elaborate dinners. Galas let designers dress public figures in statement gowns and tuxedos, and they oftenGo to Gala Glossary. For 2025, Burberry embarked on a first-of-its-kind collaboration, bringing legendary celebrity stylist Law Roach together with creative director Daniel Lee at the helm of the design process.
Daniel Lee and Jodie Turner-Smith at the 2025 Met Gala. Savion Washington/Getty Images
In celebration of this year’s theme, Lee and Roach reimagined historical garments — tailcoats, bustle coats and cummerbunds – through a modern lens, incorporating strong shoulders, cinched waists and impeccable tailoringTailoringThe craft of cutting, shaping, and sewing structured garments such as suits, blazers, and trousers to fit the body precisely. Good tailoring relies on skilled pattern work and fine finishing,Go to Tailoring Glossary. Turner-Smith’s look exemplified this union of past and present, offering a masterclass in how to fuse historical references with contemporary flair.
This article was originally published on British Vogue.