Last year, the Met Gala raised more than a few eyebrows and ended more than a few careers. In keeping with many a Met Gala theme, the 2024 prompt took on Karl Lagerfeld’s high-concept fashion legacy and saw stars flocking to the red carpet decked out in their finest haute couture. But something about the event rubbed folks the wrong way. Perhaps it was that rich folks were once again flaunting their wealth while the economic gap, in a continuing moment of deep recession, kept on widening. Maybe it was the tone-deaf nature of some of the event’s attendants, like Haley Kalil, aka Haylee Baylee on TikTok, who dressed as Marie Antoinette and used a “let them eat cake” sound in a video that quickly sparked a wave of backlash.

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Whatever the reason, the event left a bitter taste in everyone’s mouth: more importantly, it had folks wondering whether an event like the Met Gala could have any continued relevance in a country with a wealth gap to rival ancien regime France.

But this year promises to be something entirely different. Today the 2025 Met Gala theme was announced, and in stark contrast to previous years, it’s something we can actually be excited about.

The theme is “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” and will take its cues from Black dandified style and Black menswear designers through the years. Obviously there are so many fantastic directions this theme could take us in. We’ll certainly see nods to style icons like André Leon Talley and Arthur McGee on the Met steps, but we’re also likely to see plenty of fascinating abstractions and subversions on the theme of Black excellence in fashion and formal wear.

Sharp suits, large lapels, and elegant dandified looks are certain to grace the runway this year.

Could this year even bring about Beyoncé’s return to the Met Gala?

With Pharrell Williams, Colman Domingo, and Sir Lewis Hamilton serving as the event’s co-chairs, we know we’re in incredibly stylish hands.

That said, there’s always the problem of white people doing with this what we tend to do with everything: misunderstanding the assignment and ruining it for everyone else.

“Either this will be really great or disastrous,” one commenter wrote. “No in between.”

There are plenty of ways for non-Black folks to honor the theme without engaging in cultural appropriation. But can we trust that white people won’t cross that line? I mean…

Whatever happens, we can count on some stunning looks from our faves.

2025’s Met Gala has the potential to be iconic beyond compare.

Jacob Anderson, Jeremy O. Harris, and Law Roach START YOUR ENGINES!

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