Mondays have been deemed “boring,” with plenty of people saying they’re the worst day of the week. Monday blues, anyone? But one Monday we can confidently say is anything but mundane is Met Gala Monday.
The Met Gala is one of those nights that will forever be stitched in history – no pun intended. And this year? Well, this year may have been one of the most exciting and influential yet. Not only was the theme spectacular, but we got to indulge in an extra dose of excitement: sitting down with none other than NYC designer, Romeo Hunte to discuss the star-studded event.
What is the Met? What was the theme for 2025?
The Met Gala is an extravagant and fashion-forward charity event and fundraiser for The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. While most people are locked in on history-making styles walking up the Met Gala steps, behind the scenes, eight-figure sums are being collected for the museum, which is nothing short of impressive, if you ask us.
There’s no denying that the Met Gala has been rooted in history as a fashion-focused event. Onlookers wait anxiously to see how designers will interpret the theme, focusing on creating unique pieces that showcase their talents, abilities, and creativity.
While fashion was still at the forefront for this year’s Met Gala, there was a much deeper meaning behind the looks: Black dandyism.
The theme, labeled Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, drew inspiration from Monica L. Miller’s book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. It was organized into 12 sections representing characteristics of dandy styles, from distinction and freedom to heritage.
Put simply, the 2025 Met Gala was a celebration of Black dandyism, focusing on tailored styles ranging from classic and sophisticated to more over-the-top creations, which we’ve come to expect at the annual Met.
Who is Romeo Hunte, and who are some significant celebs he’s styled and his designs?
This year, our Founder and Publisher, Ashley Scarboro sat down with Romeo Hunte; a well-known designer and founder of Romeo Hunte New York, to discuss this year’s Met Gala and his predictions.
Romeo Hunte was raised in Brooklyn, New York, surrounded by women who expressed their creativity through many avenues, including their fashion. This ultimately sparked an interest in Hunte, leading him to the Fashion Institute of Technology and the launching of his namesake brand in 2014.
Since then, Romeo Hunte’s sensational designs have been seen across the celebrity yearbook. It started with Zendaya, with Beyonce later donning several pieces that were said to “break the internet.” His fashion reach extends to other top-notch celebs, too, including Idris Elba and Jennifer Hudson, and famous sports stars such as Dwayne Wade. Former First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, has also been seen in head-turning Hunte wear.
What were some quotable moments from our chat?
Ashley had the opportunity to chat about the Met Gala with Romeo Hunte – yes, the same Romeo Hunte that’s cemented himself as a contemporary lifestyle fashion designer known for his chic styles.
Romeo Hunte discussed how he was preparing for the big event and expressed excitement over this year’s theme, saying, “It’s a celebration of being proud and being Black and having this amazing time to highlight everything from craftsmanship to tailoring to personal style and swag.” He goes on to explain how highlighting Black women and men and celebrating Black culture in general at the Met Gala is something he didn’t think he’d have the opportunity to be a part of, describing it as a “dream come true.”
Aside from being excited and proud about the upcoming theme and emphasis on Black history and culture, Hunte also expressed his enthusiasm for menswear being the focal point. He discussed how the Met Gala is typically focused on women and what they bring to the table, but this year, men get to step it up and wear something outside of the “typical” Met Gala get-ups, aka tuxes or suits featuring black, white, and navy color schemes.
The conversation concluded with Hunte speaking on his fall streetwear collection, describing how it’s a combination of a reflection of his past and personal style while also being relatable to the everyday customer. He comments that he focuses on reimagining today’s button-downs, blazers, and denim jackets into something truly unique. Watch the full interview below.
Now that the Met Gala is over, who did the “Dandy” thing?
There’s no denying that this year’s Met was overflowing with history-making styles, but there are a few that did the “dandy” thing – in the name of vintage, of course. Here are some of the top looks that will be living rent-free in our minds for the foreseeable future.
Rihanna
Rihanna has never let pregnancy stand in the way of her beauty and fashion choices. Well, to be fair, nothing stops Rihanna from looking fabulous. Naturally, her Met Gala look – designed by Marc Jacobs – was a hit. We loved her striped get-up, accented beautifully with polka dot elements and a look-at-me hat that commands attention.
Teyana Taylor
Teyana Taylor’s ensemble was undeniably one of the most exciting moments at the Met Gala. What can we say? Designer Ruth E. Carter did everything right, from the red and gray color combo to the ornate embellishments, finished with a snazzy and sleek walking cane. We love that Teyana joked about the style being “Taylor’d to you,” with hidden details like a durag underneath her feather-lined hat.
Lauryn Hill
At an event labeled “Tailoring Black Style,” it goes without saying that there was a flood of tailored suits in every direction. But we love the depiction by Stella McCartney, expertly weaving a classic suit design with femininity and exaggerated elements wrapped up into a pretty yellow outfit accompanied by a showstopping cerulean blue Hermes Kelly bag.
Janelle Monae
When we talked about “out of the box” outfits at the Met Gala, this is exactly what we’re discussing. Janelle Monae’s outfit was a symbol of surrealism extraordinaire with a one-of-a-kind diamond brooch crafted from 1800 Tequila – and we can thank Thom Browne’s genius mind for coming up with it. There’s no denying this look will be talked about for weeks, months, or even years.
Met Gala 2025: One to Remember
The Met Gala will always be an incredible night to remember, but it’s clear that this year’s theme was packed with more than just head-turning outfits and charitable donations – it was an iconic and groundbreaking celebration and uplifting of Black history and culture thoughtfully expressed through creative designs. What was your favorite look at this year’s Met Gala?
