The MET Gala is known far and wide as one of, if not the most prestigious art and fashion events in the world. And every year, with every theme, we stay glued to our screens, scouting for the celebrities that owned it and those that missed by a wide margin.
This year was no different, but before we dive into the most stylish looks and the downright epic fails, let’s drop a few bars and share some facts about fashion’s biggest night.
First off, the MET Gala isn’t a walk-in party. Even with all the money in the world, it’s strictly by invitation only and usually hosts about 500-600 guests. Yes, you read that right. Even with a fat bank account, you still need that coveted invite. And it doesn’t come cheap either… Individual tickets reportedly cost around $75,000, while a table for 10 can set you back about $350,000. But it’s not even about the money las las; Vogue’s editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, gets to choose who makes the guest list. So, the tickets might be paid for by designers or brands, but the guest list is 100% curated by the fashion queen herself.
And let’s talk themes. The fashion you see come alive on that legendary carpet isn’t just vibes and expensive fabric – it’s a tribute to designers’ pasts and the theme of the accompanying exhibition. This year’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” focused on menswear for the first time since 2003, paying homage to Black history, culture, and style. Designers had to reinterpret tailoring traditions for their female clients, making it a challenging but inspiring task.
But enough of the small talk. Here are the celebrities that caught our eyes as they hit the carpet.
Rihanna
You know Riri is undoubtedly the queen of surprises, and per usual, she showed up in a custom Marc Jacobs look that screamed ‘I’m that girl.’ The outfit was a wool jacket, bustier bodysuit, and a V-tailored skirt that served face, body, and confidence.
Not one to miss a headline, she used the carpet as her runway to announce her third pregnancy. At this point, Riri is the red carpet, and we love to see it.
Ayra Starr
For her first-ever Met Gala, Sabi Girl didn’t just come to play o, she came to set the standard. If you were looking for her on the red carpet, the Mavin star rocked a custom Ozwald Boateng design with a plunging neckline, thigh-high slit, and her signature cane in hand.
It was giving ‘African royalty meets Gen Z spice,’ and we’re here for it. It’s the first Met, and she didn’t stutter. Big girl energy!
Regé-Jean Page
The Bridgerton star might be one of the finest men alive and may have won hearts on screen, but on this carpet, he gave us a lot to think about (I am sure you will agree). Because this his all-red Brioni ensemble, looks like he walked straight out of a bottle of fine wine or Olumba Olumba.
It is rich and luxurious, but maybe a little too much sauce for the occasion? We are sha torn between calling his outfit stylish or a downright epic fail.
Either way, this tall, dark, handsome chocolate looks good but the red sha is too too much
Zendaya
Zendaya, the undisputed queen of the Met, came through in a custom Louis Vuitton three-piece that took us straight back to the 70s.
Channeling Bianca Jagger, she rocked a single-breasted white silk tuxedo, complete with a waistcoat, felt hat, platform pumps, and flared trousers, all styled by the iconic Law Roach.
This is how you do ‘Superfine.’ Easy 10/10.
Janelle Monáe
This singer is known for bending the rules of fashion, and this year, she went full-on performance art. She hit the carpet in a suit-within-a-suit situation; picture it: an outerwear jacket printed with a blazer and necktie that she whipped off to reveal an actual suit underneath. She topped it off with a bowler hat and a clock monocle with spinning hands.
Shoutout to Thom Browne and Thomas Tazewell for this optical illusion masterpiece. It’s giving ‘fashion can be fun,’ and we are obsessed.
Lupita Nyong’o
Our fave showed up looking like the personification of royalty in an aquamarine Chanel suit with a matching chiffon cape and hat.
As a Chanel brand ambassador, she referenced look No. 67 from the brand’s fall-winter 2015/16 haute couture collection. It’s clean, classic, and unapologetically regal. No notes to be taken sha, just applause.
Colman Domingo
As one of this year’s Met Gala co-chairs, the star brought the drama in a blue Valentino cape that gave a respectful nod to the late, great André Leon Talley.
Did we tell you that he wore two outfits? The first, a dramatic, floor-sweeping Valentino cape, and beneath the cape, he served a black and butter checkered wool Valentino jacket, embellished with pearl and crystal embroidery.
While we appreciate a man who knows his fashion history, we give it up for the second look, but the first look? Not so much.
Diana Ross
The Black icon made her first Met Gala appearance since 2003, and trust Diana to go big or stay home. Her showstopping outfit, was born out of a collaboration between the icon, her son Evan, and our very own international designer Ugo Mozie.
She arrived in a 60-pound, 18-foot-long train embroidered with the names of all her children and grandchildren. Talk about making a family statement.
Cardi B
You know the no. 1 baddie doesn’t do subtle… like we are sure that holding back is not even in her dictionary, as she pulled up in a lush green velvet Burberry suit with wide-legged pants.
Bold, luxe, and unmissable, she has a thumbs-up from us over here.
Usher and Jennifer Goicoechea
The music legend and his wife hit the carpet in Ralph Lauren and sharply tailored Sergio Hudson, respectively.
You can say that they are mastering this Power couple thing well well. We are craving more from this corner.
Asap Rocky
Forgive us but Riri’s boo was looking dapper and effortlessly cool in his custom AWGE outfit.
Simple, clean, and confident, the co-chair paid homage to Harlem with his look, which is rumored to have been put together by the star himself and his long-time stylist, Matthew Henson.
Lizzo
Miss “About Damn Time” came through with suited glam in a custom Christian Siriano and a platinum blonde ‘do.
Lizzo sha knows how to steal the spotlight, and we are sat.
Lewis Hamilton
This year’s co-chair stunned in a custom white Wales Bonner tuxedo. The ivory color symbolized purity and status, while the ancestral beads and freshwater pearls were a nod to African heritage.
We love his attention to detail, and we would def say his fit was stylish.
Coco Jones
Nah, you can’t tell us otherwise; she was a whole vision in a custom Manish Malhotra piece.
The floral appliqué-embroidered blazer descended into a floor-sweeping train, blending structure and fluidity beautifully. It is a true definition of fashion meeting intention, indeed.
Tems
Our very own Tems was one of 14 muses dressed by British-Ghanaian designer Ozwald Boateng.
Her buttoned-up suit dress made with blue Ankara fabric, green cravat, and matching umbrella was bold, yes, but it felt a bit out of place. Still, we respect the artistry.
Doja Cat
The queen of chaos went punk and was feeling funky in an ‘80s-inspired Marc Jacobs look, claiming the fit was a tribute to “Mother Africa.”
We will take her word for it, but we can’t say it was a hit. Permit us to say, without mincing words, that this look in our dictionary is an epic fail.
Shah Rukh Khan
The Bollywood superstar brought major regal vibes in a black Sabyasachi ensemble, complete with statement jewelry and a cane.
We love a king who dresses like one.
Cynthia Erivo
The ‘Wicked’ star that stole our hearts with her angelic voice, gave us an avant-garde look from Givenchy.
While we love her, this fit didn’t hit as hard as we hoped.
Doechii
You can say that her sense of style was one we didn’t know we could fall in love with until we set our eyes on it.
Omo, she came through in a Louis Vuitton piece inspired by the book “Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.” and it was giving high fashion with deep meaning.
We love love it and we know you do too.
Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade
Make we no lie, these two are the definition of couple goals, showing up in complementary black-and-white Prada ensembles.
They ate and left no crumbs.
Pusha T
Hand-embroidered burgundy pinstriped blazer and matching flared pants by Louis Vuitton? Yeah, the rapper came to make a statement. And it worked, if we say so ourselves.
Teyana Taylor
Our best dressed, no debates needed. She owned the show in a Marc Jacobs ensemble with a crimson red pleated cape embroidered with “Harlem Rose.”
Big statement, biggest slay. You go girl!
Burna Boy
The African giant brought the heat with a regal layered look designed by Ozwald Boateng.
It was giving African king, and we love to see it.
Ayo Edebiri
Her Ferragamo look, complete with Edo coral beads, was a beautiful nod to her Nigerian and Bajan heritage. Ayo came repping her stylish father for the culture.
Anyways, she was giving ‘cultural pride, but make it fashion.’
Stormzy
We should have called it quits, but this English-Ghanaian rapper got us on chokehold, looking take-away in this classy Tom Ford.
And that’s a wrap! Look well well, whose look are you adding to your mood board, and who do you think missed the memo?
