Met Gala 2025 – The Modern Dandies
- prinnbeginning
- May 14
- 5 min read
It took me a while to digest the avalanche of references that this year’s Met Gala delivered. So much fashion, history, identity — all meticulously crafted and loaded with meaning. Held on May 5th in New York City, the theme was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” a tribute to Black dandyism and Black excellence in fashion.
The Black Dandyism movement emerged during the Harlem Renaissance, as a form of cultural and political resistance in the 1920s and 1930s. During this time, African-American artists, musicians, and writers sought to affirm and celebrate their identity while pushing back against the racial and social norms of the era. Black Dandyism became a way to express elegance, style, and pride in Black culture — a sartorial form of rebellion against oppression and imposed expectations.
I’ve always been fascinated by dandyism, even without fully diving into its roots over the years. Still, I realize that my own personal style has long flirted with this aesthetic. When I used to work at a bank, the dress code already demanded a certain level of formality — tailored suits, blazers, structured fabrics, high heels, elegant accessories... and I loved it all. To be honest, sometimes I felt like I was only in that job just to wear those clothes. Crazy, I know — but also true.
And then came the Met Gala’s highlight for me: Black Excellence.This year’s event honored elegance as a form of resistance and cultural expression, spotlighting the historical impact of Black fashion. A true runway of identity — with flawless, powerful, tailor-made pieces. All of it wrapped in an aesthetic I’ve always admired: suits!
Seeing Black excellence celebrated so boldly was moving. Not as a gesture of “help” or “compensation,” but as a confident acknowledgment of the cultural impact that Black creativity has always had on fashion — something Anna Wintour made crystal clear in curating this year’s theme.
It was a genuine tribute — recognition without condescension. And for me, that was incredibly powerful. Especially in a world where some conversations should already be long over. If you still don’t get it — or pretend not to — sorry, but you’re being left behind. There’s no need to keep explaining what’s already obvious.
And yes, everyone delivered on this year’s blue carpet.
Though — and please don’t take this the wrong way — the decor was flawless, but where was my red carpet? I’m obsessed with red carpets, so that’s one thing I would’ve changed.
Blue Carpet Highlights
Identity and excellence were overflowing this year! The men shined more than ever, while some of the fashion divas kept a lower profile — but the looks were still impactful and thought-provoking.
Let’s jump right into the most talked-about outfits of the night:
Rihanna not only wore one of the best looks of the evening, but also revealed — in full glam — her third pregnancy. The woman just doesn’t stop! She looked stunning in a pinstripe ensemble by Marc Jacobs, blending classic tailoring with femininity and power.
Her look nodded to street style — with a shirt tied at the waist — but reimagined in the silhouette of a vintage ballgown. She also embraced the key elements of dandyism: the purple tie, the hat, and a tailored jacket turned dress.
She looked light, joyful, and relaxed — less of her usual fierce posing and more smiles. A glowing mom! I wonder what we can expect from her next album (yes, the one she keeps promising). Maybe a new musical style? I’d love to see her reconnect with her Caribbean roots through dancehall again.
People are already speculating that the album will be delayed again — even though we don’t even have a release date yet! But hey, she said she still knows how to sing — so we’ll see.
Honestly though, what I’m truly excited for are her upcoming maternity looks. She always delivers — and only gets better with time!
Zendaya proved once again that details make all the difference. A couple of others wore white suits and hats, but she absolutely stood out. She rocked a custom Louis Vuitton white suit designed by Pharrell Williams — featuring a tailored blazer, vest, silk shirt, tie, and wide-leg trousers.
The look was topped off with a wide-brimmed hat, a pearl-encrusted Louis Vuitton Speedy bag, and Bulgari jewelry. Her style was inspired by icons like Bianca Jagger, Grace Jones, and Gladys Bentley — and the fashion world took notice.
I’ve heard a few fashion bloggers say they expected more from her... but seriously? She nailed the theme and looked stunning. Far better than many others there, to be honest. So for me, it’s a yes — not that she needs my approval, but hey, opinions are for sharing!
A$AP Rocky, always well-dressed and charismatic (with all due respect to Queen Riri), was one of the co-chairs this year — and absolutely crushed it! He wore a look that honored his Harlem roots and perfectly embodied the night’s theme.
Rocky co-designed the outfit with his longtime stylist Matthew Henson, under his creative label AWGE. The highlight was a technical wool parka inspired by the famous Marmot jackets he grew up wearing in Harlem. According to him, those jackets are like a winter uniform back home — everyone has one.
His version came with a double-breasted cut, snap buttons, and velcro cuffs — adding a modern twist to classic tailoring. He paired it with a white cotton shirt, black wool trousers, a vest, tie, and some silky boxers peeking out — the perfect mix of elegance and streetwear.
He wore Oxford shoes made in collaboration with Christian Louboutin, and accessories from Bulgari, including the world’s thinnest watch — just 1.7 mm thick. Pure luxury.
Behind the scenes, he also showed off a custom gold ring featuring Rihanna as a statue — diamond mini dress, gold chain hair — and he got emotional just looking at it. Honestly, it was beautiful.
From my perspective, Rocky has such a unique vibe. Confident in the best way, full of charisma. You can feel that he’s embracing this fatherhood chapter consciously — he even mentioned that in his Vogue interview. He’s evolving, becoming more grounded without losing that effortless charm. It’s beautiful to witness.
In the end, his look was a true statement of style, culture, and pride. Rocky called it “modern dandyism,” and he delivered exactly that: meaning, beauty, and authenticity.
I’m still obsessed with Met Gala 2025 — it was just everything.Now I want to hear from you: What was your favorite look? Would you wear something inspired by dandyism? Are you bringing more of this style into your life?
Let me know in the comments!
References
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