The best Met Gala recap on the Internet
Walk with me.
Every first Monday in May, New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art transforms into the most glamorous circus on earth: the Met Gala. Officially, it’s a fundraiser for the Costume Institute. Unofficially, it’s fashion’s Super Bowl.
This year’s theme was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” a tribute to Black dandyism and the transformative power of tailoring across centuries of Black history and identity. Guests were encouraged to embrace the dress code “Tailored for You,” using suiting and menswear to celebrate self-expression, rebellion, and cultural legacy.
In theory, it was one of the most meaningful and ambitious themes the Met Gala has attempted. In practice, it became something else entirely: a night where politics, fashion, celebrity tea, and internet discourse collided at full speed. Let’s get into it.
Pregnancy announcements, political statements, and…people forgetting pants?
Here were all the cultural moments from last night’s event you may have missed.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris made her first-ever Met Gala appearance, wearing an Off-White gown that nodded to the night’s celebration of Black designers. While her attendance was fitting — she’s one of the most visible Black leaders in America — online critics tried to paint her presence as "elitist." I personally was glad she showed up, especially at an event meant to celebrate Black designers and artists.
Meanwhile, K-pop star Lisa from BLACKPINK stirred controversy with her Louis Vuitton ensemble, which featured faces embroidered onto sheer tights and underwear. Some viewers speculated that the designs included civil rights icon Rosa Parks — a sensitive move given Lisa’s past criticism for using racial slurs in early audition videos. Many found the look tone-deaf, whether or not Parks' image was actually depicted. (Louis Vuitton later clarified that the portraits were personal to the artist, but the damage — and discourse — had already spread.)
Elsewhere, Doechii made her iconic Met Gala debut by arriving in a massive white box. Fans and photographers were left scrambling as the mystery box was wheeled from The Mark Hotel to the carpet, shielded by a cluster of umbrellas. When the box finally opened, the 26-year-old rapper emerged, but not after sparking Internet conversation with her attitude at the umbrella-holders. I’m sure she was stressed...but not the best look for everyone’s favorite rapper-of-the-year.
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Zendaya and her stylist Law Roach also made a…slight fashion error. The Challengers star made her highly anticipated entrance in a custom all-white Louis Vuitton suit and hat styled by Law Roach, channeling a 1970s Bianca Jagger vibe. But only hours later, actress Anna Sawai (of Shōgun) arrived wearing a strikingly similar Dior suit and matching wide-brimmed hat, launching an instant "Who Wore It Better?" frenzy across the internet. All this tells me is there needs to be a Met Gala FB group like we had for high school prom.
And then, because no Met Gala is complete without a Rihanna pregnancy reveal, the pop queen casually confirmed her third pregnancy. Paparazzi had already sparked rumors earlier in the day when Rihanna was spotted cradling a baby bump at The Carlyle Hotel. She eventually showed up around 10 p.m. with evidence. Reminder, this is Rihanna’s third MET pregnant in a row.
This photo is so iconic I’m unwell
Now it’s time for the looks. Here are my thoughts. Feel free to disagree with me (but I’d much rather you agree).
Yup
Sofia Richie in Tommy Hilfiger, Gigi Hadid in Miu Miu, Rihanna in Marc Jacobs
Sofia Richie may not be on theme — and yes, she’s back with the signature (boring) slicked-back bun — but her Hilfiger dress is so good she still lands on my Yup list. I’m also fully obsessed with Gigi Hadid’s custom Miu Miu moment, and of course, Rihanna can literally do no wrong. This is her third Met Gala pregnancy reveal in a row, and somehow, every look still clears.
Sydney Sweeney in Miu Miu, Jennie in Chanel, Imaan Hammam in Magda Butrym
These three delivered some of my absolute favorite looks of the night. I’m obsessed with Sydney Sweeney’s — the color, the material, the glam, the hair — absolutely flawless. Jennie was another standout; she’s so gorgeous I’ve officially developed a girl crush. And Imaan Hammam’s Butrym look was a full-on masterclass in tailoring.
Alex Consani in Swarovski, Cardi B in Burberry, Pamela Anderson in Tory Burch
Model of the Year Alex Cosani is a 10/10, no notes. Same with Cardi — it’s nice seeing her lean into her maturity a little, and she looked both unique and fab. As for Pamela Anderson, she and her baby bangs are slaying. This dress has her looking like the Queen of a very chic European country.
Myha'la in Luar, Tessa Thompson in Prabal Gurung, Zoë Saldaña in Thom Browne
Myha’la in those thigh-high Timbs? Come onnn I’m obsessed. I’m also so into Tessa Thompson and Zoë Saldaña’s tailored looks. They both nailed the theme and looked gorgeous in their fuck-ass bobs. (Seriously, so many bobs this year...)
Alton Mason in Boss, Coleman Domingo in Valentino, Lewis Hamilton in Grace Wales Bonner, Bad Bunny in Prada
All of these. Round of applause. Even you, Bad Bunny, with your ludicrously capacious bag.
Diana Ross in Ugo Mozie, Laura Harrier in Zac Posen for GAP
This 18-foot-train is unreal, especially considering it is embroidered with the names of her children and grandchildren (!!) This woman does not look 81. And last, but very much not least, one of my favorite looks of the night: Zac Posen for GAP, worn by the most-beautiful-woman-on-Earth, Laura Harrier. I need this outfit immediately. I don’t know where I’d wear it, but that’s a problem for future me.
Meh
Lana Del Rey in Valentino, Ayo Edebiri in Ferragamo, Doechii in Louis Vuitton
Lana looks gorgeous, but the dress feels pretty simple, especially for a theme that was all about tailoring. Ayo had a lot going on — and not in a good way. Doechii’s detailing was insane, and I loved the Louis Vuitton monogram blended into her makeup, but overall, the outfit left me underwhelmed.
Zendaya in Louis Vuitton, Alicia Keys and Swizz Beats in Moncler, Pharrell Williams in Louis Vuitton
I was also pretty underwhelmed by Zendaya. It felt basic — I mean, someone else literally wore the same thing. I liked the stripe detailing with Alicia Keys and her husband Swizz Beats, but her headpiece wasn’t it for me. And Pharrell... you’re the co-chair and the creative director of Louis Vuitton. Maybe put a little more effort into your Met Gala look next time?
Janelle Monáe in Thom Brown, Kim Kardashian in Chrome Hearts, Lorde in Thom Brown
Two Thom Browne looks here, both pretty mediocre. There’s a lot happening, but not enough to actually be memorable. What is memorable is this miss from Kim Kardashian and Chrome Hearts. I like the jewelry, but overall, she just looks physically uncomfortable.
Kylie Jenner in Ferragamo, Tyla in Jacquemus, Anne Hathaway in Carolina Herrera
As The Cut put it about Kylie’s look: “Not even a billionaire can make a corset with mesh panels look expensive.” That said, I liked her hair — and honestly, she did the best out of the Kardashian/Jenner crew (in my opinion). Tyla also struggled to meet the mark this year, though to be fair, it’s hard to top her Balmain sand sculpture from last year’s Met Gala debut. As for Anne Hathaway... yes queen, give us absolutely nothing. But I’ll give credit where it’s due: the Bulgari necklace was stunning.
Absolutely not
Emma Chamberlain in Courreges, Kendall Jenner in Torishéju Dumi, Hailey Bieber in YSL
This might be controversial, but I thought Chamberlain’s outfit looked like something I’d wear to the club — especially after she swapped the skirt for a mini. Just not enough for me. But no one gave less than Kendall and Hailey Bieber, aka the two best-dressed Aritzia salespeople. Seriously, everyone’s waiting to see what you’re wearing, and you show up in something you'd wear to a semi-nice dinner?
Chappell Roan in Paul Tazewell, Sabrina Carpenter in Louis Vuitton, Dua Lipa in Chanel
These three pop girlies just couldn’t get it right. Chappell looked like she was headed to a Halloween party, Sabrina Carpenter looked like she was auditioning for The Greatest Showman 2, and Dua Lipa... looked like she stuck slimy black snakes to her forehead. Enjoy that imagery.
Miley Cyrus in Pieter Mulier, Andre 3000 in Louis Vuitton, Halle Berry in Chanel
Who told Pieter Mulier and Miley Cyrus that a giant taffeta skirt was a good idea? Also, can someone please check on André 3000’s back? And while you’re at it, can we confirm whether Halle Berry accidentally flashed anyone? Thanks in advance.
Amelia Gray in custom Valentino
Girl, a durag? Be so for real.
I only know who around 20% of these people are. It strikes me as pretty outrageous that yet another person I've never heard of (Doechii) not only has the arrogance to go by a single name, but is narcissistic enough to yell at her assistants. The single name thing is something that only used to happen with the most massive stars in the world when they became so reognized in every country in the world that they only needed a single name. It isn't something you are supposed to choose for yourself. But of course now there has been an endless parade of insta-celebs going out of the gate with a single name. And in the old days, only the hottest megastars were ever forgiven for being rude to their staff. Increasingly, even the biggest stars don't escape catty criticism for that.
And Anna Sawai wore it better.