JodieTurner-Smith 
LIFE

Tailor fitting

Luis Espiritu

The 2025 Met Gala was a surprising and outstanding showcase of the “power of tailoring.” Construction was in seamless perfection on the star-studded red carpet in New York City.

This year’s theme was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” and dress code was, fittingly, “Tailored for You.”

Fashion was suiting stars with distinctive interpretations of tailoring, presenting a fresh and contemporary approach to formal dressing.

Suits and jackets grandstanded in different forms and styles, from modern classics to over-the-top. Colors and prints splashed on designer coats and bespoke pieces, making them pop the cinematic scene.

Textures went from shiny silk and satin to rich, ultra luxe fur — the range was endless.

Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz.
Andra Day
Anna Sawai
Ayo Edebiri in Ferragamo.
Brian Tyree Henry
Colman Domngo in Valentino.

Spotted, too, were plenty of embellishments interpreted as a fashion detail or entire piece, from minimal to maximalist. There were pearl sightings everywhere.

Modern iterations came in any array of blazers, slacks (both thin and wide) and suits (short or long) with and without cape, formal tailcoats or vests worn without jacket. All suiting of sorts was all-giving that night and yet with a handful compellingly forgiving.

Overall, this year’s Met Gala seemed like a much-needed break from the mold — an ultra-stylish showcase where the pendulums of style swung from end to end like a class in fashion history. There were a lot of experiments, familiar and uncommon, in this dandies-themed event for all ages.

Inspired by a lot of references, the dress code was a shift from strained years of high-wattage, sparkly and shimmery looks. The real big picture here was change — it’s the only thing that’s constant. Now, whether it’s suited up for better or worse, your tailorfitting guess is as good as mine. Until the next ball….

Doechi in Louis Vuitton.
J Balvin in Marc Jacobs.
Hunter Schafer in Prada.
Zoe Saldana in Thorn Browne.
Lupita Nyong’o in Chanel.
Zendaya in Louis Vuitton.
Tyler Mitchell in Wales Bonner.