Naomi Campbell announced on Instagram on May 5 that she would not be attending this year’s Met Gala amidst speculation of a disagreement with Vogue’s Anna Wintour. The theme for the 2025 Met Gala is “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” with a “Tailored for You” dress code. Campbell expressed her admiration for the theme and paid tribute to the late André Leon Talley, highlighting the significance of Black dandyism in fashion. Despite being unable to attend, Campbell extended her best wishes to the attendees and acknowledged the influence of Talley on the event. Her post seemed to address a previous frosty encounter with Wintour, following comments made last year about Campbell’s punctuality. The Instagram post also mentioned other Met Gala attendees honoring Talley, such as Doechii and Colman Domingo. Campbell’s message aimed to convey unity and appreciation for the intersection of African and European style traditions showcased at the event. Vogue had previously announced the co-chairs for the 2025 Met Gala, including Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, and Anna Wintour, with LeBron James as the honorary chair. The Gala, a fundraiser for The Costume Institute, spotlights the museum’s exhibition “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” curated by Andrew Bolton and inspired by Monica L. Miller’s book on Black Dandyism.
The exhibit delves into the portrayal of the Black dandy as both a concept and a symbol of identity. Described as a cultural and historical exploration of Black fashion from the 18th century to the present, the exhibit delves into the essence of dandyism, as stated in a post on the museum’s Instagram account. The Met Gala this year has chosen the theme “Tailored for You,” a gesture toward the exhibition’s emphasis on men’s fashion and suits. Notable figures on the host committee for this year include Simone Biles, Jonathan Owens, Regina King, Spike Lee, Angel Reese, Doechii, and Usher. Naomi Campbell, a striking presence at past galas, made a grand entrance at the 2024 Met Gala wearing an aqua spaghetti-strap Burberry gown meticulously crafted to accentuate her figure. Her ensemble featured a sequin-adorned fringe design, flowing elegantly from her bust to the hem. Adorned in stunning Briony Raymond Collection emerald-cut platinum earrings and Material Good bracelets, Campbell was accompanied by Burberry’s Chief Creative Officer, Daniel Lee. The Met Gala that year celebrated the forthcoming exhibit “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” with the thematic “The Garden of Time,” showcasing over 250 artifacts spanning four centuries of fashion history. Campbell, a Met Gala regular since 1990, has consistently dazzled the red carpet with her iconic style.
In the evening, Campbell recalled seeing the dress for the first time and thought to herself, ‘Wow, Gianni, is that meant for me?’ It reminded her of the dresses from fairy tales. Stay tuned for all the latest fashion updates from the 2025 Met Gala red carpet. For more details, check out the initial article on People.
