The Capsule Met Gala Debrief

Hello hello,

As promised, your Met Gala debrief. I think you might need to click ‘read online’ in the top corner so you can load the whole thing, complete with images.

Enjoy!!!

Holly x

 🧵🪡✂ The Met Gala 2025 ✂🪡🧵

The opening remarks are as follows. This year’s Met Gala carpet was a little less CRAZY than usual. There were fewer gimmicks; no random inflatable things, minimal outfit changes, mostly looks that can easily be walked up the stairs in.

But as a year on the whole, it was really strong. And I think that’s credit to a good theme. To focus on eccentric and meaningful menswear throughout Black history really asked designers to be considered with their responses, yet the broadness of ‘Tailored For You’ encouraged people to lean into more of themselves. The end results are (mostly) great — here are some of the best ones, some themes popping up throughout, and of course…the bad bits. Let’s get into it!

It’s not like me to start with an unfamiliar face but each year the Met Gala introduces me to some new talent and this year’s was exceptional. Introducing Ugbad Abdi, a Somali-American model. The best dandy of them all in Michael Kors.

Slaying in their own lane: Laura Harrier in custom Gap Studio by Zac Posen. This man can do no wrong at the minute and who better to showcase it than the most elegant LH.

The look that proved me wrong: Doja Cat. I’ve been saying I hate the tailored suit leotard thing. And that specific platform shoe. But then: Ms Doja. This whole thing is exceptional but the hair and makeup really lift it; it’s Tina Turner, it’s the 80s, it’s one for the books.

Two looks I loved because they felt so true to the wearer: Myha’la in Luar and Charli xcx in Ann Demeulemeester. These felt truly ‘tailored for you’ in that they carried over their stars’ essence. Myha’la is fast becoming one of the most underrated style icons of our time, just look at the Timberland-inspired thigh-highs.

Now for our long-time queen of the Met Gala, Rihanna. You will already know that Rih announced her pregnancy at the event (this clip is so endearing), but I also want to draw your attention to the first actual bump pic we got earlier in the day. Personally can’t stop looking at this photo. The yellow taxi, the fur, the contrasting cool blue on her warm skin. Is it weird if I got a copy in my home?

I also loved her Marc Jacobs Met Gala look, it’s undeniably very impressive to have a corset perfectly fit a bump like that, and no one looks better in a hat than she does. (See: the British Fashion Awards last year). I will say I was a little disappointed with A$AP Rocky. He’s dressed better than this so many times recently. He looks good but not great. Heard him say in an interview he designed it himself. Nice to see the passion but sometimes you have to let the designers do their job. 🥲

Another consistent Met Gala queen: Zendaya. A more understated look than we’ve grown accustomed to, but it’s hard to fault. It could not fit her any better, it’s pushing a bunch of people to learn what zoot suits are, and it pays homage to Diana Ross in Mahogany.

Liked Zendaya but loved the additional embellishments from Imaan Hammam.

Next up: Law Roach’s additional ladies. No longer Zendaya exclusive, Law also dressed Cardi B (Burberry) and Nicki Minaj (Thom Browne) this year, and both had their best years yet because of it. I’d say the main difference is that they look a little more “grown up” than they usually do, but leaning into womanhood rather than music video territory elevates both of them. Bravo.

Someone I’m going to defend: Kendall Jenner. I’ve seen a lot of critique that it’s “just a suit dress” but I think a) it’s gorgeous, b) it fits her perfectly, and c) it’s made by Torishéju, an emerging Black British designer. Torishéju is in her early 30s and currently only has 22K followers on Instagram. This is an enormous moment, and I think it’s really cool that Kendall put her look in her hands.

While we’re here, I also liked Kim K this year. Perfectly tailored, carries the right energy of the theme, manages to not look full Ne-Yo.

Kim’s look was also backless, which brings me onto a recurring theme on some of the girls this year. The backs were out.

Another great trend: beading. Shaboozey wore turquoise beads and Ayo Edebiri wore coral beading, a nod to her Nigerian heritage. Her father is from the Edo tribe, where corals are a symbol of prosperity and are worn in ceremonial rites. This is only Ayo’s second year, and a 10/10 debut for Mr Boozey.

And finally: the gorgeous Tessa Thompson honouring André Leon Talley with a church fan.

Time to call out some more excellent men’s looks. We can all thank this year’s Met Gala theme for showing us how to do menswear in a fun way. Usually this event is flooded with black tuxedos, perhaps a little brooch for the more daring, and we’re left wanting more. This year was different.

Two of the best, because of the details: Khaby Lame in Hugo Boss and Lewis Hamilton in Wales Bonner. Just excellent. The timepieces are a great example of having fun without being gimmicky. And Lewis’ shells and amulets are worth calling out - an ancestral tribute of purity and status. Timeless!!!

A personal fave and top marks for creativity: André 3000, who was also dressed by Law Roach. Here he is in Burberry, with a piano on his bag (adore), while still retaining his sense of personal style (boiler suit, bold glasses, hat).

There are so many more great ones to choose from. Timeless yet right on theme: Tramell Tillman in Thom Browne and Justin Jefferson in Public School.

Also men doing their own thing, bringing their own sense of style and personality to the theme: Damson Idris (loved the racing helmet stunt), Alton Mason (excellent chest reveal), and Christian Latchman (who is also the face of the Superfine exhibition).

No notes: Colman Domingo and his husband Raúl.

Colman also arrived in a blue Valentino cape, paying tribute to André Leon Talley.

And seeing Kaytranada in this flamboyant little ruffle made me think: this is the push menswear needed.

Now for the challenging moments…

First up, Amelia Gray in Valentino. This is the type of look that you couldn’t even dream up if you tried. She usually looks great so I did some digging - her stylist Danyul Brown said the look was a tribute to 1920s Harlem (understand some elements more), paying homage to Andre Leon Talley and Dapper Dan (hmm). All sounds good on paper but the end product is just…. there isn’t a good word. And some people aren’t sure about the durag.

Two more challenging looks: Shakira and Maya Hawke. I am trying to see the connection to the theme, I really am. It is just nearly impossible. I’m thinking about Black dandies in history. I’m thinking about tailoring. I’m thinking about menswear. I got nothing.

Now I hate to do this, but Doechii. Not her fault. Loved the hair and makeup, her energy totally carried it and there’s a lot to like. But it felt like a Louis Vuitton campaign, and the shorts looked off at certain angles. Between these shorts and Pharrell supposedly telling Sabrina Carpenter she was too short for trousers, I fear there’s been a tailoring crisis up at LV HQ.

Next up, I first gasped when someone pointed out that Lisa had panties made of a lacy Rosa Parks... Again, the type of thing you could not write but can happen in celebrity culture. However in my due diligence I found this to be inaccurate. According to Vogue, the faces are portraits by artist Henry Taylor.

Another challenging look for me was from Halle Berry. Super disappointing because in the right hands this could have been an excellent theme for her.

You can also be disappointed when people do too little. We know Hailey is not one for taking enormous risks but when you hear “Hailey Bieber”, “Met Gala” and “Saint Laurent” in the same sentence you hope for a bit more than this.

Unfortunately Louis Partridge did give white Ne-Yo or Ryan Evans in High School Musical.

And it’s not the worst look, but I can’t unsee Joanna Page (Stacy from Gavin & Stacy) when I see Pamela Anderson with this new hair.

That’s all we’ve got time for!!! Would love to hear from you on your best and worse from the night. 🫶

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See you next week 💋