2025 Met Gala Primer + Predictions
An overview of this year + a look back at Taylor's appearances
The Met Gala - the annual fundraising benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art - is held every first Monday in May. Typically viewed as one of the high points of the celebrity calendar, it is a night famed for its fashion. In addition to the opportunity to walk the Gala’s famed red carpet, guests also take in the Met’s annual costume exhibition, the contents of which informs the dress code for the evening.
Below, you’ll find:
A Met Gala introduction (what is it, exactly?)
An overview of this year’s exhibit and dress code (spoiler: they’re different things!)
Who are the event co-chairs? Who should we look out for on the red carpet?
Taylor’s past appearances at the Met Gala (and did she nail the theme?)
Predictions for what Taylor might wear this year (should she attend)
Let’s get into it.
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This year’s exhibition is “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” - a collection based on Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book Slaves To Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. Miller also served as the exhibit’s guest curator, alongside the Costume Institution’s long standing Curator in Charge Andrew Bolton. It is the first time Bolton has taken on external services when building out a collection. It is also the first time in over two decades that the exhibit will exclusively center on menswear, highlighting the “indelible style of Black dandies, from the 18th century through to the present day” according to Vogue.
This year’s theme is a ripple effect of the Black Lives Matter movement and a concerted effort on the part of curators to diversify the art they center. “I feel that the show itself marks a really important step in our commitment to diversifying our exhibitions and collections, as well as redressing some of the historical biases within our curatorial practice,” said Bolton to Vogue. The exhibit will capture the evolution of Black dandyism through clothing and other artworks including drawings, paintings, and photos. Miller said the exhibit will “illustrate how Black people transformed from being enslaved and stylized as luxury items, acquired like any other signifier of wealth and status, to autonomous self-fashioning individuals who are global trendsetters.”
While the theme of the Gala is typically announced in the fall preceding the event (for instance, we’ve known this year’s theme since October 2024), the planning process of future themes is often conducted years in advance.
People often confuse the theme of the exhibit and the event’s prescribed dress code. While they are meant to correlate with the other, they are actually two separate matters. Though the exhibit’s concept is typically used as a backdrop to inspire the official dress code. In this case, the celebration and analysis of Black dandyism within the museum’s showcases has informed the official dress code “Tailored For You.”
Hundreds of people ranging from the very famous to the, “sorry - who is that?” descend upon the steps of the Met in varying degrees of dress in order to, ideally, impress. Results may vary. It is widely reported that Wintour herself oversees every single look before it hits the red carpet. Of course, the biggest allure of the night is to see who opted to lean into the costume nature of the Met and who ignored the dress code entirely. Who opted to just be pretty? Who completely misinterpreted the theme? And who, like Law Roach, famed stylist to actress and renowned fashion lover Zendaya, will take it upon themselves to take the assignment seriously as an “image architect” of a celebrity’s public image.
When it comes to measuring Met success, my criteria is that a designer takes the dress code of the evening and lays it over the foundation of their own established house codes. The goal, in my view, is to create an artistic extension of your brand through the lens of the prescribed theme. Does a garment look uniquely yours / your fashion house? Does it speak to the message of the exhibit? If you can answer “yes” to both, then mission accomplished.
To use a recent example, at the 2023 Met Gala Versace created a gown for Anne Hathaway that blended the iconic safety pin detail of Versace with the house code signatures of Chanel like pearls, tweed, and camellias. The theme for the evening, “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty”, paid tribute to the late creative director Karl Lagerfeld. Lagerfeld is often viewed as synonymous with his revitalizing work at Chanel. The homage was obvious, but the design was all Donatella - the phenomenal fit and sexy cutouts both being classic Versace-isms.
In my view, themes excel when they are prescriptive enough to generate a visual cohesion for the night’s dress, but are vague enough to elicit creative and artistic interpretation. Vogue noted that this year’s theme “mostly means embracing looks reflective of one’s personal style.” Helpfully, the museum even created a Reel expanding on the dress code “Tailored For You.”
So what can we expect to see this first Monday in May? Vogue’s digital style director Leah Faye Cooper wrote that in addition to zoot suits - the bold colorful stylings popularized by jazz musicians in the 1940s - that menswear staples like “hats, ties, canes, brooches, and pocket squares” would dominate the red carpet. Sharp silhouettes, dramatic proportions, and unexpected suiting are likely to hit the carpet. To be sure, there is a sense of joy, release, and subversion with “Dandyism” that I look forward to seeing play out on the red carpet. There is no year where it’s acceptable to play it safe at the Met - an event lauded for its extravagant fashion. But no more so than this year when the dress code explicitly calls for opulence.
There is, of course, a raw edge to my apprehension. One understandably shared by many as we wait to see how thoughtfully attendees interpret the theme. Due to the exhibit’s emphasis on - and celebration of - Black fashion, I hope that guests seek out the work of Black creatives who can bring forth rich and authentic stories to the night’s costuming. As Ayan Artan put it for Cosmopolitan UK, “For the Gala to be a success in my eyes, it needs to showcase Black fashion in all its forms; Black media and fashion commentators should be given priority access to cover the carpet, Black stylists should be working with all the guests, Black designers showcased in the exhibit and on the carpet, Black makeup and hair teams working with the talent. There should be no doubt about who that night belongs to. We’ve waited a long time for this. Let’s hope it will be worth it.”
It is my hope that this year’s “Tailored” dress code will compel attendees to dig deep and truly mine their experiences to channel into personal dress. I hope the stories that unfold with every garment tell us something about that person’s identity and history. The idea of something being “Tailored” means it was created for that individual and the physical space they occupy.
Every year, the exhibit taps “co-chairs” to help lead and promote the event. These co-chairs are often looked to as bellwethers for the night’s theme. Their fashion choices are perceived to set the bar and, as a result, often receive much of the event’s attention. This is no less true this year as all of the selected co-chairs are notable stewards of exuberant, bold, and impeccable dressing in menswear. They include Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, and Pharrell Williams. The latter, of course, is the Men's Creative Director at Louis Vuitton. The fashion house also happens to be this year’s lead sponsor. Lebron James is also noted as an honorary co-chair.
One man whose impeccably dressed absence will be felt is the late André Leon Talley, a prolific fashion editor well known for his 30 year tenure at Vogue. The magazine’s editor-in-chief, and grand overseer of the Met Gala, Anna Wintour described him in a personal piece ahead of this year’s Gala as “a dandy among dandies [who] radiated joy.” She reflected, “I’ll be thinking of him on the night of the Met Gala, an evening made for him—and one I can scarcely believe he will miss.” Wintour’s piece includes a photo of Talley in 1988 wearing an impeccable Morty Sills suit — a piece that will be featured in the museum’s exhibit. Knowing better than most that fashion is a powerful communication tool Wintour said, “[André] understood that, especially as a Black man, what you wore told a story about you, about your history, about self-respect. And so, for André, getting dressed was an act of autobiography, and also mischief and fantasy, and so much else at once.” It is this spirit that I expect will be carried through the exhibit and, hopefully, honoured on the red carpet.
While the pomp and pageantry of the event is part of what has elevated it to the celebrity spectacle it has become, at its core the Met Gala functions as a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As it is the Museum of Art’s only source of funding for the following year, success is paramount. Though attendees are strictly invite-only, they still must purchase tickets. This year’s Gala has a reported ticket price of $35,000 per head according to WWD. Because of the media value associated with the Gala, fashion houses often buy entire tables to seat their celebrity guests and spokespeople who, in turn, wear their wares. The subsequent coverage of their guests in red carpet roundups translates to advertising dollars for the brand.
The final guest list is typically kept strictly under wraps, but based on my red carpet observations over the last few years I have my fingers crossed (and eyes peeled) for the likes of Elle Fanning, Zendaya, Cynthia Erivo, Gabrielle Union/Dwyane Wade, and Tyla. The latter, particularly, had a memorable debut at this event last year. I’m sure many are also excited to see Rihanna who has confirmed her attendance.
The selected co-chairs are also some of my favourites in menswear to watch - I’m especially looking forward to seeing what Colman Domingo and Lewis Hamilton turn out.
Given the Gala’s significance on the event calendar, it naturally draws attention in all forms. Last year, TikTok was the event’s lead sponsor. As the social app’s CEO walked the red carpet, President Biden signed a law putting a time limit on its viability in the United States. The tension made for a starkly contrasted image, demonstrating the extent of the app’s power, cultural penetration, and media relevancy at the precise moment its future was so tenuous.
This year, Jack Schlossberg - sole grandson to JFK - published a flurry of posts across his social media accounts, including a video to Instagram stating his intent to “boycott the Met Gala.” In the video, he also encouraged others to follow suit. “I can’t go in good conscience with so much happening around the world and at home. It’s not the time for a party like that,” he said. In a post to X, he expanded, “Vogue shouldn’t be so scared of my boycott OF THE MET GALA they should focus on issues and use their platform to take a stand. corporate [sic] interests often succeed in making fashion less attractive and relevant.” What kind of “time” he’s referring to or “stand” he wants the publication to make wasn’t made clear. It’s worth noting that Schlossberg is known for his unorthodox content and antics. His notable irreverence is part of what got him tapped, ironically, as Vogue’s own political correspondent just last year. In place of the Gala, Jack touted his own plans to launch a new live channel as an alternative to “partying.”
To be sure, the Met Gala is a study in exclusivity and excess. Nicole Russell wrote for USA Today that “the Met Gala gets a little more repugnant every year.” Last year’s event drew ire for moving forward amidst Gaza protests occurring at nearby Columbia University. “Whether it intends to or not, the Met Gala this year came across as a real-life Hunger Games,” she wrote, adding, “While the rest of the ‘districts’ of Panem − the United States and the world − struggle with consequences like poverty, inflation, homelessness and even war, the Met Gala − the ‘Capitol’ − has one focus: Raising money for costumes.” Vox’s senior culture correspondent Constance Grady admitted that “the heady, decadent fantasy of the Met Gala can become a liability.” She highlighted how the Met’s greatest source of tension is on how you view artistic escapism. She opines, “It remains to be seen whether the public can remain enamored with celebrity opulence when real-world concerns are just outside, waiting to crash the party.”
I have always seen fashion as a communication tool and one that can be key to politics and identity. Some costumed examples (those by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Cara Delevingne in 2021 come to mind) of activism at the Met Gala have been criticized heartily. This year’s theme seems uniquely qualified to tackle the perceived superficiality of fashion and give credence to its power. Co-curator Monica L. Miller said in a statement to Vogue, “Dandyism can seem frivolous, but it often poses a challenge to or a transcendence of social and cultural hierarchies. It asks questions about identity, representation, and mobility in relation to race, class, gender, sexuality, and power. This exhibition explores dandyism as both a pronouncement and a provocation.”
If there were a year for giving the Gala the space to platform fashion’s power and relevance — that year is here.
Taylor hasn’t attended a Met Gala in nearly a decade. Her most recent appearance was when she herself acted as co-chair in 2016. While we haven’t yet received word about her attendance (or lack thereof) this year, it’s always fun to take a look back at Taylor’s Met Gala appearances over the years - a total of 6 between 2008 and 2016.
2008 in Badgley Mischka
For a first outing at the Met Gala I think this was a valiant effort. It was sweet seeing Taylor pose on the red carpet with both of the designers James Mischka and Mark Badgley. The theme for the year was “Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy.” As far as theme application goes, I’m tempted to read the metallics on this Badgley Mischka gown as armour-like which feels superhero adjacent. To bring it home with the accessories I think she could have opted for symmetrical cuffs and swapped the large earrings for a long golden lariat chain worn backwards as a subtle “Lasso of Truth” reference - thus bringing it closer to the theme. But given the year I also can’t fault the earrings - they’re very much a product of their time. I’m tempted to say all this needs is a classic mid-aughts oversized owl pendant necklace (I know that I livelaughloved mine) to complete the timely picture.
2010 in Ralph Lauren
A personal Met Gala favourite of mine. The theme for the year was “American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity.” The goal for the evening was to explore the evolution of the modern woman’s style ranging from the 1890s to 1940s. Taylor played to her American-girl-next-door strengths here, adeptly tapping an American designer for her outfit. This theme felt like it was meant for her and I personally loved this cold shoulder gown that felt very Marilyn / old Hollywood.
2011 in J. Mendel
The 2011 Met Gala featured an exhibit that would go on to drive record attendance for the museum, honouring the late British designer Alexander McQueen who had passed a little over a year prior. The exhibit - titled “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” - featured designs not just from McQueen’s own eponymous label but also from Givenchy where McQueen served as chief designer for five years in the late ‘90s.
It’s worth noting that even when a Gala theme directly references a specific designer that attendees aren’t necessarily expected to wear their wares. I’ve personally noted that the secret sauce to nailing a theme is to use the house codes of the designer you are wearing to pay homage to the theme of the evening. Here, Taylor blends J. Mendel’s signature careful drapery and pleating to honour Alexander McQueen’s love of lace to great effect.
2013 in J. Mendel
In these early days of her career, Taylor was such a loyal wearer of so many J. Mendel designs that she was actually counted as a guest of his for the 2013 Met Gala and posed with Gilles Mendel on the red carpet. The year’s theme, “PUNK: Chaos to Couture,” would seemingly be out of Taylor’s typical wheelhouse but I think she actually did such a good job within her playing cards of style to come as close to the theme as she was comfortable. Between the dark eye, teased hair (the little hint of pink feels especially cute with the dip dye trend of Lover in mind), and the daring cutouts that trace the bodice all the way down the side body to the floor and are filled with mesh webbing I can see the grasping for the theme. The armour-like neck piece was a great addition to glam it up but doesn’t feel very “PUNK.”
2014 in Oscar de la Renta
She’s the cover of Taylor Swift Style for a reason (many reasons, actually!). At a glance, this is a look that I think is widely beloved by the fandom for its soft, girlish glam. For that alone, I felt it would make for a very desirable coffee table moment for any discerning Swiftie. But, of course, there’s always more beneath the surface isn’t there? Naturally, it was the story behind this look that I thought captured the real essence of TSS.
📕 A Book By Its Cover: Last year, I wrote all about my journey to getting to the cover of my book Taylor Swift Style. Spoiler: There were some doozies. In the post below, I dive into all the reasons why I ended up choosing this particular look to grace the front. It’s a must read!
Within the lore of the Met Gala, this OdlR dress was well reviewed for its thematic adherence by even the harshest of fashion critics. The evening’s theme, “Charles James: Beyond Fashion”, honoured English-American designer Charles James who was known for his dramatic ballgowns and love of a bustle and a strapless silhouette. Fashion critic and creator Luke Meagher, of HauteLeMode, said of Taylor’s gown, “It’s nice. It’s chic. It’s simple. Good for Taylor Swift.” I’ll take compliments from Luke when I can get them as he’s often less than enthused about Taylor’s choices. A huge win, imo! While I think a strapless silhouette would have been more ideal, the gathered bow flowing into a long train on Taylor’s gown was a modernized and romantic take on James’ beloved bustle.
2016 in Louis Vuitton
For many, Bleachella is considered Taylor’s most unexpected and left field sartorial move. Something this bold was timed perfectly by, of course, Vogue, who encouraged the dramatic bleach blonde to align with both her May cover of the mag and her co-chairing that year of the Met Gala. Though Taylor’s appearance at this Met Gala is long ago, it’s never been forgotten. The evening’s events, including a dance with actor Tom Hiddleston, are often thought to have transpired some of the songs on the following year’s reputation.
The theme this year was “Manus X Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology”. In Vogue’s weekly podcast, Wintour described Taylor’s selection as co-chair as a natural fit. “Obviously her connection to technology was one of the reasons that we wanted to see if she would care to be involved," she said, adding, “But I also think that she is an icon to many young girls all over the world and we want a different audience to come to this exhibition.” It’s pivotal to understand that in 2016 Taylor was still in the midst of her open lettered beef with streaming services - having pulled her catalogue from the likes of Apple Music and Spotify until a better deal could be reached that she felt fairly compensated artists for their work. Her music wasn’t available to stream until the following year shortly ahead of reputation’s release in November 2017. This also doesn’t account for her digital upstart on MySpace and how she utilized the platform’s technology to cultivate an early, and intimate, relationship with fans that survives to this day. Taylor is undoubtedly an early adopter - and savvy user - of technology to her advantage in building a community. Her selection as co-chair in this regard, to Wintour’s point, made perfect sense.
But when it comes to the fashionable follow through, I felt this look didn’t take nearly enough creative liberties with the interpretation of the theme — particularly for someone setting the bar of the night’s costuming as co-chair. Though it’s true that many other attendees saw “machina” in the theme title and leapt to “robots.” This includes Taylor herself who described her Louis Vuitton mini dress as “futuristic gladiator robot.” This did result in a lot of silver metallics taking that year’s red carpet. But one need only look at Claire Danes or Karolina Kurkova, who also attended the Met that year, to prove that some took the theme as an opportunity to thoughtfully blend fashion with modern technology. As presented, Taylor’s look feels more fitting for a night out clubbing than an evening for highlighting high fashion. Though had there been a deeper meaning to the dress’ fabrication, I might have changed my mind. Surprisingly, I actually much preferred this look en route to the Gala when she donned a navy LV coat over the dress.
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