Photographed by Hunter Abrams
In celebration of this year’s exhibit, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” Met Gala 2025 attendees reimagined the signature codes of black dandyism through contemporary zoot suits and sculpted gowns.
On the steps of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, in line with this year’s Met Gala dress code, “Tailored for You,” guests arrived in custom ensembles that reflected the Costume Institute’s latest exhibition. Themed Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, the show examines how dandyism was reimagined by the Afro-Atlantic community as a form of self-expression and a pathway to social mobility. The exhibition draws inspiration from the sartorial philosophy of the late André Leon Talley and from Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity, a seminal work by co-curator Monica Miller.
Although the traditional figure of the dandy is often linked to Beau Brummell, a Regency-era Englishman, Black dandyism has different origins. Its foundations were laid in early 20th-century America and came into full bloom during the Harlem Renaissance, a time when the neighborhood became a hub of Black creativity and thought. One of the most enduring fashion expressions to emerge from this era was the zoot suit, known for its high-waisted, wide-legged trousers and jackets with broad, padded shoulders.
The zoot suit was more than a fashion choice. During a period of wartime fabric rationing, its exaggerated style was seen as a provocative statement. Choosing to wear one was a bold gesture of resistance. The look spread widely, particularly among working-class Mexican American and Filipino American men in Los Angeles, eventually sparking the 1943 Zoot Suit Riots, during which servicemen and police attacked these communities in retaliation for their unapologetic style.
At the Met Gala, celebrities like Rosé in Saint Laurent, Imaan Hammam in Magda Butrym, and British Vogue editor-in-chief Chioma Nnadi in Martine Rose wore modern interpretations of the classic suit silhouette in black, white, and pinstripe. Meanwhile, Sabrina Carpenter’s burgundy Louis Vuitton bodysuit, Jennie Kim’s satin Chanel gown, and Vittoria Ceretti’s Moncler X EE72 mini dress and cape brought elements of Black dandyism into contemporary red-carpet fashion.
Rosé in Saint Laurent
Blackpink’s Rosé wore a dramatic all-black ensemble by Anthony Vaccarello for Saint Laurent, featuring a sharply tailored suit with bold shoulders and a sweeping cape, punctuated by a daring plunging neckline. She completed the look with a striking Tiffany & Co. High Jewelry necklace, showcasing a singular 14-carat cushion-cut sapphire, 11 carats of round sapphires, and more than 13 carats of diamonds.
Zendaya in Louis Vuitton
Zendaya paid homage to Bianca Jagger’s 1971 wedding look in a custom Louis Vuitton three-piece suit designed by Pharrell Williams, inspired by the legendary Le Smoking tuxedo by Yves Saint Laurent. She finished the look with dazzling Bulgari jewelry and a wide-brimmed floppy hat, evoking the spirit of Diana Ross in Mahogany.
Zoe Saldaña in Thom Browne
Zoe Saldaña redefined the concept of being ‘suited up’ in a couture-inspired ensemble, featuring a black ribbed corset that echoed pinstripe tailoring, complete with linear buttons tracing her silhouette. Contrasting white sleeves and a matching floor-length skirt added dimension, while a commanding bow at the back delivered dramatic flair. She completed the look with a flapper-inspired 1920s bob, a hairstyle long associated with female liberation.
Jordan Roth in Laquan Smith
The seven-time Tony Award-winning producer, multidisciplinary artist, and fashion enthusiast stood head and shoulders above fellow attendees in a sculptural black tuxedo by LaQuan Smith, elevated by 10-inch platform heels. Eschewing the traditional shirt and tie, he opted for a jet-black beaded top, accessorized with a sheer mesh hat by Stephen Jones and Boucheron jewels.
Imaan Hammam in Magda Butrym
Dutch-Egyptian-Moroccan model Imaan Hammam turned heads with a modern take on the classic zoot suit, designed by Polish designer Magda Butrym. The ensemble featured a sharply tailored silhouette with a fitted waist and bold, structured shoulders, paired with wide-leg trousers. She accessorized with a striking black cane, an eye-catching feathered headpiece, and glittering Maison Martin Margiela x Christian Louboutin Tabi heels.
Sabrina Carpenter in Louis Vuitton
Sabrina Carpenter embraced a daring custom look after Louis Vuitton’s creative director Pharrell Williams jokingly advised, “You’re quite short, so no pants for you.” She wore a burgundy pinstripe bodysuit paired with a sharply tailored, ultra-cropped tailcoat adorned with crystal buttons. The outfit was completed with towering platform pumps and silver dangling chains, playfully mixing masculinity and femininity.
Ashley Graham in Boss
Taking a break from her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago, Ashley Graham stunned in a custom Boss dress inspired by ’90s power dressing with Roger Vivier stilettos. The look featured a structured boned bustier, a sharply cinched waist and hips, a plunging V-neckline, and a flowing train crafted from grey pinstripe wool.
Mindy Kaling in Harbison Studios
Mindy Kaling evoked the commanding presence of Toussaint Louverture in a custom Harbison Studios suit dress, tailored from regal navy wool and adorned with brass ornament buttons. She layered it over a crisp white silk shirt and tie, the ensemble elevated by a striking red velvet collar and cummerbund that elegantly doubled as a train.
Jennie in Chanel
The ‘Human Chanel,’ also known as Jennie Kim of Blackpink, wore a strapless satin tuxedo gown with matching trousers, inspired by a 1987 archival design by Karl Lagerfeld and channeling the spirit of Coco Chanel herself. The look featured waistcoat-inspired detailing, a symbolic white camellia flower, and a dramatic strand of thick white pearls draped across the bust.
Chioma Nnadi in Martine Rose
British Vogue’s editor-in-chief made a bold statement in a double-breasted pinstripe zoot suit, styled with a pink shirt and a Western-style buckled belt by Martine Rose. Renowned for her deep-rooted connection to London subcultures and for honoring her Jamaican heritage through unconventional runway shows that reflect the multifaceted reality of UK identity.
Vittoria Ceretti in Moncler x EE72 by Edward Enninful
Italian model Vittoria Ceretti strutted the blue-upholstered carpet in a custom Moncler x EE72 by Edward Enninful ensemble. Featuring a tailored mini dress with an oversized train, coordinating opera gloves, and a dramatic down-filled puffa cape, crafted in waterproof Savile Row pinstripe.
Hunter Schafer in Prada
Prada ambassador Hunter Schafer played with proportions in a layered look featuring a double-breasted white jacket over a shirt and turtleneck, paired with black trousers and a matching jacket. She accessorized with white gloves and a Prada beret, referencing the Kangol 504 hat, a lasting symbol of hip-hop culture famously worn by Samuel L. Jackson, The Notorious B.I.G., Run-DMC, and LL Cool J.
