The steps of the Met, aka The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, are ablaze again—and not just from flashbulbs. It’s the first Monday in May, which means fashion’s most-watched spectacle is back and serving. We’re talking about the annual fundraiser for the museum’s iconic Costume Institute and its spring exhibition titled ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’. This year marks the Met Gala’s first menswear-focused theme in over two decades (the last being ‘Bravehearts: Men in Skirts’ back in 2003). The evening threads together the legacy of Black dandyism, drawing from scholar Monica L Miller’s seminal 2009 book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. Here, tailoring isn’t just about fit—it’s cultural catharsis and serious swagger.
The co-chair cohort—Pharrell Williams, Lewis Hamilton, Colman Domingo, and A$AP Rocky—is a flex in itself. There’s also LeBron James as honorary chair, and Anna Wintour running point as always. Under her ever-sharp eye, a powerhouse host committee is stacked with the who's-who from the African-American community, names like Simone Biles, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Usher, Ayo Edebiri and more.
And now, the part you came for, from those who understood the assignment. Here are The Nod team’s unfiltered thoughts on all the red-carpet action.
Colman Domingo in Valentino
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“Double the points for a double look. We love to see a transformation on the Met Gala carpet! And I love the nod to André Leon Talley. Easily one of the best looks of the night.” — Chloe Chou
Shah Rukh Khan in Sabyasachi
“A little on the nose with the ‘K’ pendant.” — Shalini Shah
“Extra. But I guess it’s an homage to how black men have worn their jewellery.” — Butool Jamal
“Very ’90s hip-hop.” — Shalini Shah
Gigi Hadid in Miu Miu
“Early in the no-theme brigade. Oh, it seems it’s a nod to Zelda Wynn Valdes. Guess there’s a point to the dress.” — Shalini Shah
Zendaya in Louis Vuitton
“She could wear a rock and still look good.” — Butool Jamal
Teyana Taylor in Ruth E Carter
“Is it too early to call best dressed? Because this look is everything.” — Chloe Chou
Natasha Poonawalla in Manish Malhotra
“I’m into the gara—it’s like she’s saying I’m one of the OG Parsi magnates.” — Butool Jamal
Bad Bunny in Prada
“Wonder what he’s carrying in that ludicrously capacious bag…” — Shalini Shah
“EMV for Prada.” — Chloe Chou
Lewis Hamilton in Grace Wales Bonner
“Crisp, clean, beautiful details. Shoutout to Eric Mcneal, he always does a great job!” — Chloe Chou
Jennie Kim in Chanel
“A suit, a cap, and a cape! Has Matthieu Blazy entered the building?” — Chloe Chou
“This is a theme where Chanel can really be in its element and shine. The slim-cut trousers, the little boater hat, pearls which were already a favourite of dandy men, it all makes for a look that’s on theme and yet very much Jennie and Chanel.” — Butool Jamal
Sabrina Carpenter in Louis Vuitton
“The Short n’ Sweet tour continues!” — Chloe Chou
“We love a business on the top, party at the bottom moment.” — Diya Parakh
Kiara Advani in Gaurav Gupta
“Kiara plus one! Also love to see another Indian designer on the red carpet. Gaurav Gupta’s always apt for a big camera moment.” — Butool Jamal
Pamela Anderson in Tory Burch
“Bob, meet Pamela. Enjoying the new hairdo. She looks like she could be a stern Scandinavian art curator.” — Butool Jamal
A$AP Rocky in AWGE, Chirstian Louboutin shoes and Briony Raymond umbrella
“A$AP designed his own outfit for the gala. How cool is that?” — Chloe Chou
Lupita Nyong'o in Chanel
“Another suit, cap, and cape look by Chanel! Loving the brows.” — Chloe Chou
“Somewhere out there, Mary Poppins is nodding in approval.” — Sheya Kurian
Mindy Kaling in Harbison Studio
“It’s giving vampire chic.” — Chloe Chou
Diana Ross in Eleven Sixteen
“Diana Ross looking completely normal in a 18ft train and saying it was ‘really last-moment.’” — Megha Mahindru
Ayo Edebiri in Ferragamo
“Ayo looks incredible!” — Jay Modi
“No notes. Maximilian Davis is shining tonight!” — Chloe Chou
Kendall Jenner in Torishéju and Hailey Bieber in Saint Laurent
“Ready for post-work drinks at the diamond sales rep convention.” — Ridhima Sapre
“Kendall worked with Gabriella Karefa-Johnson on this one. And they tapped an independent designer, which I think is so unexpected and lovely. The tailoring is beautiful.” — Chloe Chou
Manish Malhotra in Manish Malhotra
“Of course MM is in head-to-toe MM! Power shoulders, dramatic cape, brooches—he’s got it all.” — Chloe Chou
Lorde in Thom Browne
“A floating bandeau held up by visbily nothing. What Was That?! It’s Thom Browne and it’s perfection.” — Chloe Chou
“My favourite look so far.” — Shalini Shah
Diljit Dosanjh in Prabal Gurung
“Diljit killing is it—always on theme, always serving a look. From the cape embroidered with Gurmukhi script to the jewellery by Cartier, he’s a true Indian dandy.” — Butool Jamal
Pharrell Williams in Louis Vuitton
“Zoom in if you can. That double-breasted blazer has 15,000 pearls.” — Chloe Chou
Nick Jonas in Bianca Saunders, Christian Louboutin shoes and Tiffany & Co. jewellery and Priyanka Chopra Jonas in Balmain and Bvlgari High Jewelry
“That emerald centrestone is apparently 241.06 carats.... Just wild!” — Chloe Chou
Anne Hathaway in Carolina Herrera
“Andy Sachs needs a Nigel intervention.” — Ridhima Sapre
Lisa in Louis Vuitton
“I’m sensing a theme with the LV girls… Sabrina, Helena Williams, and now Lisa. I guess pants were optional this Met Gala.” — Chloe Chou
“She has LV on her nails too!” — Shalini Shah
Dua Lipa in Chanel and Callum Turner
“Training season’s over. Chanel season is here instead.” — Jay Modi
“Perhaps Matthieu Blazy is still in induction.” — Chloe Chou
Serena Williams in Moncler
“Cosy couture... What I wouldn’t give to lie down on that silky, duvet-like cape at this stage.” — Chloe Chou
Venus Williams in Lacoste
“A tennis dress... I do like the shiny hair though.” — Butool Jamal
Sabyasachi Mukherjee in Sabyasachi
“Cosy couture, again!” — Chloe Chou
Doja Cat in Marc Jacobs
“Doja Cat goes catty, again!” — Shalini Shah
Sydney Sweeney in Miu Miu
“No thoughts on Sydney. She’s just doing her usual thing I guess?” — Butool Jamal
Doechii in Louis Vuitton
“Doechii gets my ‘stamp’ of approval.” — Sheya Kurian
Dapper Dan in Dapper Dan
“Is that a pocket watch as a necklace?” — Ridhima Sapre
Kim Kardashian in Chrome Hearts
“Leather and diamonds!” — Butool Jamal
“Looks like she made her own theme mixing mob wife with dandyism.” — Naheed Driver
Diya Mehta Jatia in Bloni and Tribe Amrapali earcuffs
“Major party in the back! Akshat Bansal is so talented.” — Chloe Chou
Aimee Lou Wood in Ahluwalia and Patrick Schwarzenegger in Balmain
“The White Lotus reunion we didn’t know we needed.” — Shalini Shah
Walton Goggins in Thom Browne
“Walton Goggins is having such a moment lately. He looks fab!” — Chloe Chou
André 3000 in Burberry
“When you have work at 9, piano practice at 5, and trash duty at 7.” — Diya Parakh
Whoopi Goldberg in Thom Browne
“A perfectly tailored tuxedo dress with a trompe l'oeil coat, accessorised just the right amount. What’s not to like?” — Chloe Chou
Rihanna in Marc Jacobs
“Trust Miss Riri to deliver a look and a pregnancy announcement. Queen behaviour.” — Sheya Kurian
Laura Harrier in GapStudio
“She knows how to work the outfit and the carpet.” — Chloe Chou
Jenna Ortega in Balmain and Christian Louboutin shoes
“Jenna Ortega taking ‘made to measure’ literally.” — Shalini Shah
Suki Waterhouse in Michael Kors Collection and Christian Louboutin shoes
“A backless tuxedo vest and a 12-foot long train! So chic.” — Chloe Chou
Tramell Tillman in Thom Browne
“Mr. Milchick looking great at the ORTBO!” — Chloe Chou
Simone Biles in Harbison Studio
“This whole look is so playful. The colour is gorgeous. And I love a bustle on mini!” — Chloe Chou
Nicole Kidman in Balenciaga
“Here for Nicole Kidman’s new do!” — Ruhi Gilder
Coco Jones in Manish Malhotra
“She made sure we would remember her first Met Gala. Obsessed with the pearl-encrusted trousers!” — Naheed Driver
Megan Thee Stallion in Michael Kors Collection
“The gown apparently has over 75,000 crystals that were hand-sewn onto the floral lace base.” — Chloe Chou
Cynthia Erivo in Givenchy
“It’s giving me Queen of Hearts energy. Also, her nails were wild!” — Naheed Driver
Zoe Saldaña in Thom Browne
“Thom Browne should take a bow. Another tuxedo dress, sculpted to perfection.” — Chloe Chou
Kylie Jenner in Ferragamo
Demi Moore in Thom Browne
“Demi Moore pulled no punches—her razor-sharp, sculptural Thom Browne necktie gown is a power move. Committed to the theme and unapologetically bold.” — Sheree Gomes
Janelle Monáe in Thom Browne
“We love a mid-blue carpet transformation!” — Ruhi Gilder
Miley Cyrus in Alaïa and Christian Louboutin shoes
“Hannah Montana in custom Alaïa, oh yes!” — Naheed Driver
“Definitely the better croc moment of the night!” — Chloe Chou
Lauryn Hill in Cheney Chan and Emefa Cole jewellery
“I think butter yellow’s time in the sun is done.” — Ruhi Gilder
Mona Patel in Thom Browne
“Here for Hector!” — Chloe Chou
Charli XCX in Ann Demeulemeester
Tracee Ellis Ross in Marc Jacobs
Anna Sawai in Dior
“A lot of white suits on the carpet tonight. Zendaya, Marc Jacobs, Laura Harrier, and now this immaculate Dior look on Anna. However, Lewis Hamilton had the best one!” — Chloe Chou
