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Evening Standard

Lifestyle

Joe Bromley

Met Gala 2025: Best, worst and wackiest looks on the red carpet — Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, Dua Lipa, Anna Wintour

Met Gala Colman Domingo Blake Lively Lewis Hamilton the Met Gala the Met Gala 2025

The first Monday in May can mean only one thing: fashion’s one per cent check into The Mark Hotel, spend hours in glam, and make their way up the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s grandiose steps for the Met Gala — all wearing the most magnificent (and likely wackiest) outfits they will all year.

No matter what you call it — the style Olympics, the sartorial Oscars or the fashionistas World Cup — the event, which originated as a simple high society dinner in 1948, is one of the most important evenings of the year for the industry.

Colman Domingo and Lewis Hamilton (Getty Images)

As ever, the epic charity fundraiser (which this year has raised a record-breaking $31 million, beating 2024’s total of $26 million) is tied to the opening of The Costume Institute’s headline fashion exhibition. For 2025 that is Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, based on Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book, Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. Invitations arrived with the dress code “Tailored for You", promising a night of impeccable suits, and a spotlight on Black designers.

Best dressed celebrities hit the red carpet

First to hit the deep blue carpeted steps, penned in by daffodils — the creative vision of artist Cy Gavin — were this year’s co-chairs. Joining Dame Anna Wintour, who hosts the event annually, were Pharrell Williams, Lewis Hamilton, Colman Domingo and A$AP Rocky, while basketball player Lebron James is an “honorary” co-chair.

Colman Domingo (Getty Images for The Met Museum/)

Wintour opted for an ivory dress with sapphire blue silk overcoat by Louis Vuitton, while Colman Domingo was a vision in a glittering Valentino cape and Boucheron jewellery. Leaning into the dandy theme, Domingo later removed his cape to reveal a pearl embellished, checked blazer adorned with a polka-dot boutonnière and neckerchief — also by Valentino.

Pharrell Williams and Helen Lasichanh (Getty Images)

Hamilton opted for a custom Wales Bonner ivory cropped jacket suit, Pharrell Williams wore a Louis Vuitton outfit of his own design and A$AP Rocky — who it has been revealed is soon to be a father of three, with Rihanna — designed his own suit.

A$AP Rocky (Getty Images for The Met Museum/)

Leading the ladies was Sydney Sweeney, who opted for a coal-black, beaded Miu Miu gown, and Gigi Hadid, who wore a halter neck gold lamé gown by the same label.

Sydney Sweeney (Getty Images for The Met Museum/)

Diana Ross halted the carpet when she arrived in all white — a feathered showstopper with an acres-long train complete with wide-brimmed hat. Inside her train, the names of her children and grandchildren are embroidered. “My son persuaded me — he said Mum, you gotta go,” Ross told reporters on the carpet. “It is a very special moment.”

And she was closely followed by Zendaya, who played proceedings down this year (but well in keeping with the theme) wearing a cinched, silk white three-piece suit, tie, and matching hat.

Zendaya (Getty Images for The Met Museum/)

The White Lotus season three stars also stole attention. Aimee Lou Wood opted for Priya Ahluwalia for her first Met, while Patrick Schwarzenegger wore Balmain and Walton Goggins turned heads in Thom Browne.

Aimee Lou Wood and Patrick Schwarzenegger (Getty Images for The Met Museum/)

Peckham-born actor Damson Idris brought drama to the affair, as Met helpers yanked at his racing gear to reveal his red, tailored suit by Tommy Hilfiger. The look — which involved a diamanté entrusted helmet — was a teaser for his upcoming film F1, where he stars alongside Brad Pitt.

Damson Idris (Getty Images for The Met Museum/)

Supermodels Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber arrived in tandem, and in full office-mode. Jenner wore Torishéju, while Bieber opted for a Saint Laurent tuxedo.

Kendall Jenner (Getty Images for The Met Museum/)

Kylie Jenner, meanwhile, wore a deconstructed tailored dress, complete with sheer bodice and chocolate sash, created by London-based designer Maximilian Davis for Italian label Ferragamo, and Kim Kardashian braved a leather fedora and croc-effect gown by Chrome Hearts.

Maximilian Davis and Kylie Jenner (Getty Images for The Met Museum/)

But it was not an outfit that stole the show on the red carpet. Instead, arriving after Vogue’s livestream of the event had finished, the Met Gala 2025 was shut down by Rihanna’s baby bump. She confirmed she is expecting her third baby with partner A$AP Rocky by cradling her bump wearing a Marc Jacobs corset top, pinstripe skirt, and tuxedo jacket on the steps.

Met Gala drama

There were some notable faces missing from the steps this year. These include supermodel Naomi Campbell who, in a YouTube video she posted earlier this week, said the 2024 Met Gala would be her “final one”.

A few hours before the event she squashed rumours she had not been invited, writing on Instagram: “I was so honored to be invited to tonight's big event, but regretfully cannot make it.”

Also missing from proceedings was one-time Met power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. The pair have said it is not due to Lively’s ongoing legal battle with It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni. A source told Us Weekly the move is not "out of character. She’s not a Kardashian that goes every year."

Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham also did not attend the event. It comes after the couple missed David Beckham’s 50th birthday celebrations over the weekend amid rumours of a family feud.