New Met Gala Theme

The Met Gala—it’s an event we hear about every spring, when our favorite celebrities are photographed on the red carpet and critiqued for their fashion choices. But what exactly is the Met Gala, and what can we expect in 2025?

The Met Gala is a charity event and fundraiser for The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute which is held annually on the first Monday in May at the Met in New York City. The event is attended by A-list celebrities from across the globe, who dress according to a specified dress code, decided annually by Anna Wintour of Vogue, who hosts the event. Celebrities enjoy interpreting the dress code creatively, which makes it a highly anticipated spectacle for viewers. Entry costs are in the five-figure range, and the event raises eight-figure sums for the institute. Most attendees are invited by fashion houses or designers who purchase their tickets and collaborate with them to create the custom pieces these attendees wear to the gala.

On Wednesday October 9, the Metropolitan Museum of Art revealed the Costume Institute’s exhibition for spring 2025, titled “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” inspired by Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. This exhibition will focus on menswear, tracing the evolution of dandyism from the 18th century to the present day through garments, paintings, photographs, and more. This marks the first time that a main exhibition at the Costume Institute will center exclusively on menswear. The exhibition’s theme is not to be confused with the dress code, which will be announced early next year.

There is much mystery surrounding the Met Gala, from the guest list to what actually happens inside the museum during the event. On May 5th, 2025, guests will arrive at cocktail hour, walk the red carpet, and enter the museum. Once inside, a no-cellphone policy is enforced. What we do know is that there will be a formal dinner, high-profile performances, and an opportunity for attendees to see the exhibition. The seating chart for the dinner always generates buzz leading up to the event, as guest lists remain secret until the day of the event. The Met Gala’s seating arrangements are notorious for being meticulously crafted, in efforts to create the most enjoyable experience possible for all guests.

As we look forward to the Met Gala in 2025, we can expect that the theme will promote a celebration of culture and creativity. While so many details of the event remain under wraps until the big day, one thing is certain—the Met Gala will always be a highlight of the fashion calendar.