Ready for the Met

Get ready for fashion’s biggest night. Here’s everything you need to know about the Met Gala 2025—from the theme and dress code to who's hosting and what to expect on the red carpet.

The Dinner Party by Tyler Mitchell in 2025. Available via Vogue . © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

It’s here—the most anticipated red carpet of the year. As always, the first Monday in May the internet turns into a front-row seat and everyone’s a critic for a day.

If you still can’t tell the difference between the theme and the dress code of the Met Gala, no shame. Here's what you need to know before the show begins.

What’s the Met Gala, and Why Does It Matter?

The Met Gala is a charity event held every first Monday of May at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City (aka, The Met). While today it’s the peak of glamour and excess, it actually started as a fundraising dinner for the museum’s Costume Institute—the department dedicated to the history of clothing and fashion. Since then, it’s evolved into the most high-profile fashion event on the planet.

Each ticket costs thousands of dollars, and the money raised (we’re talking millions) goes toward funding exhibitions and special projects at the museum.

The Met Gala’s origins were surprisingly low-key. It began in 1948 as a modest charity event, mostly attended by New York’s fashion insiders. Everything changed when Anna Wintour took over in the '90s and turned it into the cultural phenomenon we know today. Since then—and with the rise of social media—the spectacle, the risks and the guest lists have taken the spotlight.

The best part is that the Met Gala is one of the few fashion events where both the celebrities and the audience at home are part of the conversation. Every look is judged, dissected, and turned into memes in real time. It’s fashion democracy!

Anna Wintour poses alongside André Leon Talley at the MET Gala in 1999. Photographed by Rose Hartman. Available via Vanity Fair © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

When is the Met Gala 2025?

Mark your calendar: Monday, May 5, 2025. Get ready to spend the whole night on Twitter, and TikTok live-commenting on the red carpet looks.

Who organizes it?

Each year, the Met Gala has a group of hosts or co-chairs. In 2025, the event will be presided over by Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, and, of course, Anna Wintour. Plus, this year there's a sort of “host committee” featuring big names like Janelle Monáe, Spike Lee, Ayo Edebiri, and Dapper Dan. Why does this matter? Because the co-chairs usually help set the tone for the event—they influence who attends, what gets worn, and the overall vibe of the night. They also help raise funds, so their presence is key.

What’s this year’s theme?

Here’s where things get interesting. The theme of this year’s exhibition is “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”, inspired by Monica L. Miller’s book Slaves to Fashion. The exhibit, which will be divided into 12 sections (with titles like Ownership, Cool, Heritage, or Disguise), explores Black dandyism from the 18th century to today.

Starting in the 18th century, the "dandy" was a figure in Western society who emphasized fashion, manners, and individuality, often challenging social norms with their appearance. In the U.S., Black dandyism emerged as a way to resist racial stereotypes by asserting Black people’s right to express themselves in fashionable, refined ways, often challenging the societal expectations placed upon them.

This year’s Met Gala marks a historic first:

It’s the Costume Institute’s first exhibition to focus explicitly on race and on menswear as central themes.

So how does that translate to the red carpet?

This style has historically used fashion to express identity, rebellion, elegance, power, and resistance. So we’ll likely see a lot of tailoring—but not your average suits. My guess? Bold silhouettes, playful takes on masculinity and femininity, rich colours and deep cultural references. This year’s best looks will likely combine tradition, rebellion, and personal storytelling.

What’s the difference between the theme and the dress code?

This is key: the theme is what inspires the exhibition itself (what’s inside the museum), while the dress code is the guideline given to guests about how to dress. And no, they don’t always perfectly match.

This year’s official dress code is “Tailored for You”—a sort of nod to the main theme, but more open to personal interpretation. Expect lots of suits, yes—but each with its own twist, story, and personal flair. Creativity will be everything.

What happens inside the Met Gala?

Spoiler: not much leaks out.

The Met Gala has a strict “no phones, no socials” policy, so most of what happens inside stays secret. What we do know is that there’s a cocktail hour, a dinner (this year by chef Kwame Onwuachi), and usually a surprise musical performance. Guests also get a private tour of the exhibition.

Who attends?

Around 450 guests: celebrities, designers, models, artists, athletes, and political figures. Getting an invite is part influence, part status—and fully dependent on Anna Wintour’s approval. If you’re not on the list… don’t worry. You can still join the fun by ranking the best (and worst) dressed from home.

Whether you’re tuning in for the jaw-dropping looks, the bold fashion risks, or the pure chaotic fun of it all, the Met Gala always delivers a night to remember. Now that you know what’s at stake, you’re officially ready to judge, stan, and meme alongside the rest of the internet.

See you on the red carpet—virtually, of course.