This, for me, in terms of the styling, was one of the best Met Galas in years. There are, of course, a few exceptions here and there but aesthetically, where meeting the theme is concerned, the majority of it worked. The looks were really, really good. But, as I noted in today’s site open, there were a lot of people who fell short on articulation, on communicating the intention and the expression of their outfits and how it related to the exhibition which, in 2025 more than most, was especially important. 

 

Like Nicole Kidman, for example. The dress is vintage Balenciaga – it was boring for me, but the plot twist came in the form of her hair. Her stylist explains: 

A dandy haircut with a well-tailored dress? Yes, I’ll take it. But then when she stopped for La La Anthony and was specifically asked about the inspiration and had the opportunity to speak to the theme of the event and the exhibition, Nicole’s response was a flop. All the more surprising because she’s usually so thoughtful and considered and, like, this is the question that’s asked every year – it’s not like it would have come out of nowhere. But her answer was lacking: 

“This kind of was inspired in support of all of those gorgeous, gorgeous dandies and the women that then honored them and supported them or protected them. So I’m happy to be here as one of them.”

 

Right, Nicole, but not just any dandies. It’s specifically Black Dandies, it’s specifically Black style. And to not mention Black artists and artistry and tailoring … like, why are we even here? Girl, your stylist, Jason Bolden, is Black! 

Then there’s Sydney Sweeney in Miu Miu. It’s a pretty dress, by Miu Miu, she’s an ambassador – and when asked about the inspiration she said Kim Novak, and the connection here is that she’s playing Kim Novak in Scandalous!, a film directed by Colman Domingo. This is what she told La La Anthony so I guess what she was trying to say is that she was honouring Colman and his feature film directorial debut? 

 

But on a night like this, with a theme like this, and so much intention and symbolism, again it seemed so weird to me that so many of these people weren’t able to talk about Black talent, Black visionaries, and their contribution to fashion which seemed like… the bare minimum?! 

Speaking of bare minimum, Hailey Bieber’s was one of the most unremarkable looks of the night in Anthony Vaccarello for Saint Laurent. It’s a tuxedo jacket, the end. Beautifully tailored, of course, and those legs do the rest of the work so in theory it meets the theme but in spirit, there’s really not much else. 

@enews

Hailey Bieber suits up for the MetGala. ✨

♬ original sound - E! News
 

Miley Cyrus’s Alaia was much more interesting, with the different textures, the high collar and the necklace around it, I love the mid-pony and the neutral makeup… but her answer when La La asked her about the interpreting the theme and her inspiration, was bullsh-t, especially when you consider the past culture vulture accusations. 

“Who I’m going to see and who I’m going to sit with”? You mean, like, Black artists? “Celebrating identity and uniqueness” without specifying Blackness, the fact that the whole exhibit is about how Black people through the centuries have expressed their identity through clothing and presentation of self… 

 

As I wrote in the site open today, this was happening over and over again with non-Black guests on the livestream, seemingly avoiding the fact that the whole point of the event was illuminating Black creativity. Like even if they weren’t openly appropriating, they still forgot about appreciating. 

 

Finally, Kim Kardashian in Chrome Hearts. Probably my favourite of all her Met Gala looks and with the diamonds and pearls, it’s giving Prince, a legendary Black dandy. It’s a great look on her, but I’m not sure we can expect much more in terms of appreciation other than appreciation of self.