Met Gala 2025: Black elegance, bold tailoring and the rise of modest fashion
Many embraced flowy elements, whether through dresses or cover-ups, bringing an air of elegance and movement to the evening.
The 2025 Met Gala, themed "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style", brought glamour and historical reverence to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Beyond the flowing dresses and classic designs, the red carpet turned into a stage for stories, respect for traditions, and bold messages.
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A common thread throughout the Gala looks was the use of feathers, pleated suits, and checked patterns with bold lines, adding texture and depth to each outfit.
Many also embraced flowy elements, whether through dresses or cover-ups, bringing an air of elegance and movement to the evening, but these looks were a favourite:
1. Ugbad Abdi: A regal ode to dandyism and black elegance (MICHAEL KORS)
At the forefront of this celebration was Somali American model Ugbad Abdi who made a powerful statement at the Gala, embodying both modesty and strength.
She wore a pinstripe suit with wide-legged trousers and a cinched blazer, subtly sparkling with silver threading.
Over it, she draped a brocade cape with paisley patterns and a voluminous fur collar, blending Harlem Renaissance vibes with a high fantasy feel.
A black fedora, crisp white shirt, and oversized bow tie added femininity to the look.
Minimal jewellery and bare makeup highlighted her natural beauty. A trailblazer as the first hijabi model for major brands, Abdi redefined the red carpet with her mix of heritage, power, and transformation.
2. Imaan Hammam: Power suiting with softness and soul (Magda Butrym)
Joining her was fellow Somali Dutch model Imaan Hammam, clad in a white Magda Butrym suit that featured broad shoulders and wide-legged trousers, softened with a black shirt and a polka-dot tie.
A floral headpiece with feathers gave her look the flourish of modern royalty, rooted in both Black dandyism and divine femininity.
Her makeup was fresh yet fierce, with bold brows, bronzed skin, and a nude lip that let her natural beauty speak volumes.
Imaan’s look did not scream for attention, it radiated it.
3. Rihanna: Deconstructed glamour and maternal defiance (Marc Jacobs)
Rihanna’s appearance made headlines, not only for her surprise pregnancy reveal but for her ensemble, a Marc Jacobs deconstructed pinstripe look that celebrated maternity and masculinity in equal measure.
The tied sleeves at her waist, styled into a bustle, transformed a men’s suit into a celebration of womanhood, while her wide-brimmed hat signalled business, fashion, and drama.
Rihanna’s makeup exuded soft power, glowing skin, a bold matte red lip, and smoky eyes that added quiet drama.
Her brows were sculpted and strong, complementing her structured outfit, and the overall look was polished, feminine, and fearlessly commanding.
4. Lupita Nyong'o: Aquamarine elegance and bold individuality (Chanel)
Her look featured a custom aquamarine wool jacket and pants, a satin blouse, and a sheer cape by Chanel. From the fall-winter 2015/26 collection.
The look was complemented by a sleek updo, jewelled eyebrows and a bold lip gloss, highlighting her natural beauty and confident presence.
Her look was structured, yet dreamy.
5. Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz
Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz turned heads in matching red pinstripe suits, blending hip-hop style with a touch of Harlem Renaissance charm. Her bejewelled braids and his matching do-rag were unapologetically Black and dazzling.
6. Ayo Edebiri: Heritage-inspired elegance with a touch of modern rebellion (Ferragamo)
The breakout star of "The Bear", look featured a leather tailcoat and white shirtdress, nodding to her father's wedding attire, paired with red glass bead accents.
For makeup, she went with a smoky eye and glossy lips, radiating confidence and a connection to her roots.
7. Bad Bunny: Cultural reverence and avant-garde tailoring (Prada)
Bad Bunny honoured his Puerto Rican roots in a custom carob brown suit by Prada, featuring a raffia tie inspired by the jíbaro hat. He added crystal gloves, a flower brooch, and a fabric pava hat, along with a leather bowling bag. His simple grooming let the cultural details shine.
8. Lewis Hamilton, Lauryn Hill, Janelle Monae and Lana Del Rey
At the Met Gala, sharp tailoring made a powerful statement. Lewis Hamilton stunned in a cream Grace Wales Bonner suit with a cropped jacket and embroidered sash, exuding subtle luxury.
Janelle Monae wowed in a Thom Browne suit that blended modern and classic styles, featuring a trompe l’oeil tie and half-red, half-pinstriped design. Janelle Monáe played with illusions in a Thom Browne optical art masterpiece
Lauryn Hill, arriving late but with style, turned heads in a yellow double-breasted suit and sculpted cape, adding a pop of colour with her Hermes Kelly bag, showing the bold simplicity that's trending in fashion.
Zendaya, styled by Law Roach, delivered a sharp Louis Vuitton zoot suit with an engagement ring reveal tucked between its seams, a private message dressed in public grandeur. J, while Lana Del Rey conjured up gothic mythology in her Valentino couture.
Not to mention the Co-host Teyana Taylor, she delivered a Ruth E. Carter zoot suit laced with lace, feathers, crystals, and poetry, her cape bore the words “Rose in Harlem,” anchoring fashion in autobiography.
Modesty on the rise in the fashion industry
Other modest fashion moments came from celebrities styled by Muslim designers, including Canadian Somali creative Ikram Omar and French Senegalese designer Salih Abdul.
Their work incorporated traditional fabrics, conservative cuts, and cultural motifs, offering a fresh lens on Black identity and design.
Fashion analysts say the rise of modest fashion at such a high-profile event points to a broader shift in global fashion.
“Modesty is no longer marginal, it’s mainstream,” said Lulu Wanjiru, a Nairobi-based fashion curator.
“We’re seeing more celebrities and designers using modest fashion to tell deeper stories that go beyond the surface.”
The modest fashion industry is estimated to be worth over $400 billion globally, with a significant share driven by Muslim consumers and African markets. Its presence at the Met Gala underscores its growing influence on luxury fashion and red-carpet culture.
For many viewers, the modest looks at the 2025 Met Gala were not just about fashion, they were cultural statements.
“Seeing covered looks done so beautifully on such a global stage is empowering,” said Mariam Bakari, a modest fashion influencer in Nairobi.
“It shows that fashion can be expressive without being revealing.”
The 2025 Met Gala proved that modesty, when rooted in identity and intention, can be just as impactful as any daring couture, and Fashion is simply art.
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