ON May 5, the finest of the entertainment industry rocked up in their dandiest fits to wow the blue carpet at the Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art) Gala on Fifth Avenue, New York City. Often ridiculed for its superficiality, the charity event is not short of criticism and scrutiny, as last year’s gala received backlash for being tone-deaf to the political climate at the time (the Gaza genocide).
This year, the winds have shifted. While past galas often drew criticism, the 2025 event was met with praise. Some may see this as an effort by industry leaders to reshape the image of Hollywood and the elite, especially as public awareness of social disparities grows. That said, the 2025 Met was applauded for inclusivity and artistic ambition – and dare we say, this year’s gala sits at the same table as the 2018 Met, which was considered among the best.
This year’s theme may have been rooted in performative activism, but its intention makes a poignant political statement as it gives a hypothetical seat at the very table where this community was once (read: still are) oppressed. Themed Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, the Met took direct inspiration from Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity and here is why it is a big deal.
