Bond Street’s Best 2025 Met Gala Looks

The most anticipated Monday on the fashion calendar has once again arrived, bringing with it a flurry of star-studded looks and jaw-dropping moments. Every May, we see the red carpet (or in this case, blue) rolled out at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the annual Met Gala. Birthing iconic moments such as Rihanna’s 55-pound Guo Pei gown and Zendaya’s real-life Cinderella moment, this year was no exception.

Established in 1948, the Gala was first organised as a fundraiser for the newly opened Costume Institute. Over the next 70 years – and with the help of its current chairman, Anna Wintour – it has grown into an annual celebration of fashion’s most talented designers and is the season’s hot ticket. 

The event marks the opening night of the institution's annual fashion exhibition, which also dictates the theme, with guests dressing accordingly or facing the wrath of Dame Anna herself. Titled Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, this year's exhibit is a celebration of Black dandyism, spanning from the 18th century to present day. Inspired by guest curator Monica Miller’s book; Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity, it is a thought-provoking collection of historical artifacts. It also features 150 designs newly acquired by the Institute from BIPOC designers including Grace Wales Bonner and Virgil Abloh.

As the first menswear-focused exhibition since 2003’s Bravehearts:Men in Skirts, Superfine places precision tailoring and avant-garde interpretations of masculinity in the spotlight. The result? A carpet brimming with razor-sharp suiting, opulent embellishments and theatrical reinvention. Here, we break down the evening’s most striking looks from Bond Street’s very own.

The British luxury house enlisted one of fashion’s most influential forces for a first-of-its-kind collaboration. Working alongside legendary stylist Law Roach, Daniel Lee outfitted a cross-generational cast of actors and artists in looks that felt both distinctly individual and cohesively curated. Think rich textures, structured silhouettes and deep, autumnal hues.

Jodie Turner-Smith stood out in a dark burgundy leather suit inspired by 19th-century equestrian Selika Lazevski, complete with a sweeping wrap coat and a contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional top hat. Angela Bassett and Cardi B arrived in jacquard velvet ensembles, the patterns echoing the ornate wallpapers of British stately homes – a nod to the countryside themes seen on the autumn/winter catwalk. And in one of the night’s most original accessory moments, André 3000 carried a grand piano on his back. Tailoring with a flurry of theatre.

Creative director Pharrell Williams embraced his role as co-chair with signature flair, presenting a lineup of looks that honoured the theme’s historical resonance while remaining unmistakably Louis Vuitton.

Zendaya led the charge in a pristine white zoot suit that perfectly echoed a 1940s silhouette from waistcoat to fedora, not to mention her precision-cut trousers showcasing tailoring at its finest. Doechii offered a hip-hop-inflected take on classic formality, pairing a monogrammed tailcoat with oversized checkerboard shorts in a playful fusion of structure and streetwear (it wouldn’t be LV without a monogram moment). Meanwhile, Sabrina Carpenter and Lisa took the pantless trend to couture heights; Carpenter donned a burgundy tuxedo-style bodysuit complete with a long train and glittering buttons, while Lisa sported a similarly daring ensemble.

Under the visionary direction of Alessandro Michele, a designer celebrated for his eclectic maximalism and flamboyant flair, Valentino emerged as one of the evening's most anticipated houses. And it certainly did not disappoint.

The steps of the Met have seen countless outfit reveals during its time. This year, it was the turn of actor, co-chair and house ambassador Colman Domingo, who arrived in a dramatic deep blue cape, referencing the late André Leon Talley and his 2011 Met look. Underneath was an equally exquisite suit featuring subtle clashing prints that felt distinctly Michele. 

Lana Del Rey reaffirmed her status as the designer's long-term muse, wearing a gown plucked straight off the spring 2025 couture runway. Other standout looks included Barry Keoghan’s Ringo Starr-inspired suit, complete with floral-embroidered cuffs, crystal appliqué detailing and a silk scarf tied at the waist.

Chanel leaned into what it does best: craftsmanship. Dua Lipa dazzled in a flapper-esque chiffon dress layered with a sequin tweed jacket and floating organza cape. The whole look took 2,000 hours to make, which is understandable considering it consists of 45,000 hand-embroidered details. Lupita Nyong’o offered one of the most refined interpretations of the theme, in a pastel green power suit accessorised with a crystal brooch, floral pin and flat top hat. No detail was left untouched, with even her eyebrows getting the dandy treatment. The luxury French house didn’t stop there as it reimagined the classic tuxedo for Blackpink’s Jennie, giving it that added touch of Chanel opulence. 

Making her first-ever Met Gala appearance, Lauryn Hill stunned in a buttercup-yellow suit and matching structural cape. Whether her look was intentionally coordinated with the carpet's floral display or a serendipitous moment, we may never know, but one thing is undeniable: the cerulean-blue Hermès Kelly bag was a conscious and bold choice, commanding attention as it accompanied her down the red carpet with unapologetic flair.