Every first Monday of May, New York time, that is, all eyes are on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the annual Met Gala. This year’s theme was “Tailored for You,” taking its cues from the Costume Institute’s spring exhibit, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, an exploration of Black Dandyism.

Beyond the glitz and the flashing lights, the annual event is a fundraising event in support of the institution. What set this year’s Met Gala apart was how its step off of its usual path not only reaffirmed its place as an influential force in fashion history, but also brought in its highest proceeds in its 77-year history.

When the theme for this year’s gala and exhibit was announced late last year, it was part of the Costume Institute’s curator-in-charge Andrew Bolton’s charge towards diversifying their repertoire of shows. An undertaking that was five years in the making, it was based, in part, on Monica Miller’s book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. It was the first time that the Met featured an exhibition of all menswear, and all from designers of color, exploring the narrative of how Black Dandyism and fashion became an expression of identity and subversion dating back
to the 18th century.  

Anna Wintour, Vogue editor-in-chief, has been the Met Gala co-chair since 1995, making her its main organizer. She is generally credited for the event’s growing popularity and prestige. She is in full control of the guest list (and the corresponding seat plan), and it is considered an honor to have made the cut. 

Joining Wintour and honorary Met Gala chair Lebron James as co-chairs this year were actor and playwright Colman Domingo, race car champion Lewis Hamilton, American rapper A$AP Rocky and singer, music producer and creative director for Louis Vuitton menswear Pharell Williams. 

All four came dressed to the nines come gala night. Hamilton looked dapper in a white suit and a beret ensemble by designer Wales Bonner, which was said to be a nod to black heritage and intellectualism. A$AP Rocky took the evening’s theme to heart, and wore a design by AWGE, his own design agency. Pharell, true to form, wore a pearl-encrusted suit jacket over black flare pants by Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co.

However, it was Domingo who stole the show with a custom Valentino royal blue cape with a bejeweled collar — his ode to iconic Vogue creative director, the late Andre Leon Talley who once wore a flowing blue cape on the fabled steps. The actor later shed the cape to reveal a trés-chic plaid and gray suit, also by the fashion house, of which he is a brand ambassador.