My Thoughts on the 2025 Met Gala

Have you ever felt very satisfied for a continuous period of time? Like you’re at a restaurant, and every part of the meal tastes exceptional. That’s how I felt when I watched the Met Gala this year. This is the first time in years where the theme and dress code were understood by the designers and guests. I’m so relieved that this year’s gala will be remembered for the excellent and skilled craftsmanship of the looks rather than for missteps and errors made by fashion houses and their teams.

To begin, I wanted to touch on my favorite looks from this year’s gala. I had so many this year that I struggled to just pick a few. Instead, I chose a couple that I wanted to explore in depth. Every look here deserves to have their story told, but a few really spoke to me.

My Favorite Looks

Jenna Ortega in Balmain

Ms.Ortega came out with a bang for her third Met Gala. The dress code  “tailored for you” was taken very literally by the majority of designers, but I applaud Olivier Rousteing and the rest of the Balmain team for their creativity. To create a custom fitted dress out of rulers is the imaginative mind this year’s Gala needed. I love how the rulers were molded to her body and cut so that she could still retain some of her movement. 

There were many amazing looks this year, but there were definitely a few similar ones. The Balmain ruler gown was absolute perfection because it honored the tailors and dressmakers that built dandyism. At the same time, it also made people remember what the Met Gala could be again. The Met Gala should be a place where designers use the dress code as a starting point for their outlandish designs.

Laura Harrier in GapStudio

Laura Harrier always exudes effortlessness whenever she’s on the red carpet. There’s just something about the combination of her hair, makeup, and outfits that make her seem so unbothered and rested. It’s no different this year. Laura looked very whimsical on the carpet which was a cool addition to her tailored suit. The billowy pant legs and top sleeves bring some drama that elevates the look even more. The cream base with the gold buttons looks gorgeous on her skin as well. Additionally, the mixture of denim, silk, and chiffon adds another layer of detail. Harrier’s not just wearing a simple cream vest and pantsuit. She’s wearing the amalgamation of countless hours of tailoring and sewing by designers to create a suit custom made for her

Janelle Monáe in Thom Browne

Janelle Monáe is such a cool person. There are just people in life that are just so cool, yet they don’t even try. They were born to be cool, and that’s it. Monáe uses her coolness to create shows with her looks. Whenever she’s on the red carpet, she makes a statement. Monáe never just wears something straight off the runway. She styles it, and re-envisions the design. I enjoyed the show she put on as she unveiled her look. I love how the entire look is very surreal in that it looks like her dress and bag are on the coat. When it comes to her main look under the jacket, I love the topstitching white binding on the red half because it highlights the impeccable craftsmanship. Finally, the way the blazer and skirt fall perfectly on her body is magnificent.

Even though the Met Gala has finally made strides in honoring the works of the black diaspora and more broadly, people of color, there’s still much work that needs to be done. In the past couple of years, people have become more aware of the many inequalities and problems in the world. Especially with younger generations, we’re critiquing many long standing institutions that need to make changes including the Met Gala. 

The Met Gala raised a record-breaking $31 million in funding to support the Costume Institute this year. It amazes me that individuals are able to raise this much money for the upkeep of clothing, but can’t put that much enthusiasm into rebuilding black and brown communities or making education more equal and accessible. The Met Gala committee needs to be held more accountable. The theme this year created a shift, but it feels performative. More needs to be done to invest in preserving communities rather than just preserving costumes.

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