Vogue’s premier event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art celebrated “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” a new exhibit at the museum’s Costume Institute on Monday night.
The exhibit, which is on display until Oct. 26, honors the history of Black dandyism.
“‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’ explores the importance of style to the formation of Black identities in the Atlantic diaspora, particularly in the United States and Europe,” it states on the Met’s website. “Through a presentation of garments and accessories, paintings, photographs, decorative arts, and more, from the 18th century to today, the exhibition interprets the concept of dandyism as both an aesthetic and a strategy that allowed for new social and political possibilities.”
Celebrities and notable figures flocked to the museum for a charity event to raise funds for the Met’s Costume Institute on Monday. The Associated Press reported that this year’s fundraiser has already broken a record, crossing $30 million in donations for the first time.
This year’s star-studded host committee included Dapper Dan, Doechii, Spike Lee, Tonya Lewis Lee, Angel Reese, Usher, Janelle Monáe and several others. The co-chairs of the event were Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky and Pharrell Williams.
LeBron James was named honorary chair, but did not attend due to an injury, he tweeted on Monday.
Dozens of other celebrities were also in attendance.
For those of us watching from our YouTube streams and social media feeds, it was a night of fun and biting critique of how well each partygoer matched the theme, “Tailored for You,” which is a nod to the exhibition’s focus on menswear and suiting, per Vogue.
HuffPost reporters and editors covered all the red-carpet arrivals here. See what we had to say below.
Kamala Harris Skipped The Met Gala Carpet But Still Made Her Debut
Kamala Harris showed out for fashion’s biggest night. Although the former vice president didn’t hit the Met Gala red carpet like other notable figures invited tonight, she still stunned for her debut wearing a flowing black-and-cream gown designed by Off-White. Creative director IB Kamara explained how the look honored the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter: “The precise simplicity of this black and cream look for Kamala D. Harris complements her own strength and confidence, two qualities I consider to be the core of dandyism.”
Hats off to the VP for nailing it.
Cardi B Rocks Plunging Neckline Suit That Has Us Green With Envy
Love the hair. Love the dress. Love Cardi B.
Rihanna Saved Her Baby Bump Reveal For The Met Gala
There’s no more speculating whether Rihanna is expecting baby No. 3. The singer finally confirmed the rumors — after her partner, A$AP Rocky hinted at them earlier tonight — when she showed up fashionably late to the Met Gala, showing off her small baby bump in a show-stopping look by Marc Jacobs.
Rihanna’s outfit consisted of a tuxedo jacket over a corseted bodice and a floor-length split skirt. She topped everything off with a floppy black hat and polka-dot tie. It’s more tame than she usually goes for, but stunning nonetheless. The only question we have now is when is the baby due?!
Nicole Kidman's Short 'Do Is A Lovely Departure From The Wigs She Wears On Film
Just saying! Kelby Vera covers her hair transformation in the link below.
Lauryn Hill Arrives Fashionably Late For Her Bright Met Gala Debut
Lauryn Hill’s Met Gala debut was well worth the wait. It’s hard to believe the legendary singer-rapper has never attended fashion’s biggest night out, but she made up the long absence by arriving in style — and on theme. Hill wore a pastel yellow suit, elevating the evening’s tailored theme with a standing collar and an extravagant train. Her accessories by designer Emefa Cole used single mine origin gold. She even had a yellow umbrella in tow to offset the rain outside. Smart and stylish.
Myha’la Stuns In Structured Suit That Could Box Out Any ‘Industry’ Players
I just love the shape of this ‘fit. I was hoping to see more shapes like this, but I’m glad “Industry” star Myha’la took the risk and nailed it.
Tracee Ellis Ross Is A Vision In Shades Of Pink And Red
Nailed it.
Janelle Monáe Is The Epitome Of A Black Dandy In Her Stunning Zoot Suit
This Met Gala theme was made for Janelle Monáe. The singer/songwriter wore a Thom Browne suit and completely rocked the red carpet.
“She truly is the modern day dandy,” Browne said.
Oscar winner Paul Tazewell also collaborated on the outfit.
“Just having all three of our minds together around this theme, it’s honestly the most exciting thing,” Monáe told AP. “The experience of us creating this look together, putting our heads together, getting excited and dreaming up whatever we wanted to dream has been the best part of it all.”
Lupita Nyong'o Proves She Knows The Best Place For An Accessory
See her bedazzled look in the link below.
André 3000 Carried Music On His Back At The Met Gala — Literally
André 3000 is a risk taker through and through when it comes to fashion. That may be an understatement to describe the rapper’s Met Gala look, which included him wearing a gigantic grand piano strapped to his back. Now, it’s definitely an interesting take on the “Tailored For You” theme, but it does nod to the defiant declarations of Black dandyism and feels authentic to his personal out-of-the-box style.
It also ties into the surprise EP that the musician dropped Monday night called “7 piano sketches.” The cover artwork of the instrumental project even features a sketch of André’s look. According to GQ, the piano look was an idea André thought would be cool for a music video, but pulling it off for his first Met Gala in 17 years sounded even cooler.
“It's saying a lot for this little bitty piano album, which is kind of hilarious to me,” he told the publication. What a way to conclude the carpet.
Pamela Anderson Debuts A New Hairdo At The Met Gala
See the look in the link below.
A$AP Rocky Chose A Shocking Accessory To Complete His Met Gala Look
A$AP Rocky came dressed to the nines at the Met Gala tonight, as he always does. But one thing about the co-chair’s custom all-black AWGE look (designed by his own Harlem-based creative agency) shocked some who caught a tiny detail on the end of his umbrella, which featured the handle of a revolver gun. Quite an interesting fashion statement for the rapper to make just a few short months after he was found not guilty in the high-profile gun trial of his former friend.
The Internet Is Trolling The Hell Out Of Future’s New Bleached Haircut
Never underestimate social media’s ability to take a joke and immediately run it into the ground. Future found that out the hard way Monday night when he debuted a new haircut — a drastic switch-up from his long signature locs — on his way to the Met Gala. Standing outside The Mark hotel, the rapper showed off his interesting bleached hairdo, captured in the video below, and memes have been flying ever since — just take a look.
Damson Idris’ F1 Breakaway Suit Is The Best Reveal On The Met Gala Carpet
Damson Idris just raised the bar on Met Gala entrances. The actor, star of this summer’s “F1” movie with Brad Pitt, showed up on the carpet wearing a Tommy Hilfiger racing suit with his face hidden by a matching bedazzled helmet. And then came the reveal. With some assistance, Idris had his suit torn off in classic breakaway fashion, unveiling a perfectly tailored red suit, also designed by Tommy Hilfiger.
Hilfiger gave The Hollywood Reporter the scoop on Idris’ big reveal, crediting the actor for figuring the stunt out. “He said, ‘Let’s do this, let’s do that,’” the designer shared. “He just pulled up in his car out front.” I guess “F1” promo is in full effect now.
The movie hits theaters on June 27, btw.
Doechii Is The Perfect Black Dandy
There’s no mistake that Doechii understood tonight’s assignment. Of all the celebs who have hit the carpet so far, I’d argue that she’s one of very few who elected to channel exactly what Black dandyism represents: history, fine tailoring, resistance and, most of all, Black pride.
Doechii nailed the “Tailored For You” theme to a T, sporting a monogrammed Louis Vuitton blazer and tailored shorts with a cigar in hand for her Met Gala debut. She even topped it off with a set of shiny grills and her hair in a perfectly rounded afro. I love it. The Grammy-winning rapper, who’s also on this year’s host committee, admitted she was “a little nervous” about her first time at the event, but told Vogue livestream hosts Teyana Taylor and Ego Nwodim she’s happy to be in the building, especially considering this year’s theme.
“This is one of the biggest nights in fashion. And for it to be so Black… I’m present, I’m here.” That you are Doechii. And we see you.
Peep Zendaya's Beautiful All-White Look
Of course, Zendaya shut it down in this white pantsuit.
Jodie Turner-Smith’s Met Gala Look Screams Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory In The Best Way
Thank you, Jodie Turner-Smith, for giving me the drama I’ve been waiting for. This leather, all-chocolate brown look by Burberry is giving Willy Wonka a run for his money.
It’s fun, super stylish and a great departure from the black-and-white looks that have flooded the carpet all night. No notes.
Sabrina Carpenter Would've Nailed Her Met Gala Look ... If She'd Worn Pants
Sorry, Sabrina, but this is not your concert tour. This is a fundraising event. Put some pants on! The outfit was on theme, but she’s only 50% there without the bottoms.
Update: Apparently, Pharrell Wiliams, a co-host of the event and the creative director at Louis Vuitton, told her she's too short for the pants to work with the outfit.
I disagree, but hey, I'm dressed like Adam Sandler right now!
Diana Ross Stuns The Met Gala Red Carpet With Her Extra Fabulous Look
Spike Lee Missed A Huge Opportunity With His Met Gala Outfit
I've been waiting to see a zoot suit tonight. And there's one person who totally missed the mark by not wearing one: Spike Lee. In "Malcolm X," he wore a vibrant, checkered zoot suit (opposite Denzel Washington's bright blue one.) This would have been the perfect moment to pay homage to Black dandyism and to his own iconic look from the film. (Academy Award winner Ruth E. Carter collaborated with Lee on several of his films, including "Malcolm X." He should have called her for inspiration!)
Gigi Hadid Honored A Black Fashion Pioneer With Her Golden Goddess Met Gala Look
With this year’s theme specifically highlighting Black style and fashion history, I thought it was really cool that Gigi Hadid pulled off such a well-researched look that honored Black fashion pioneer Zelda Wynn Valdes, who was the first Black designer to open her own boutique in New York City.
Hadid is wearing a gold custom Miu Miu gown, which was styled by Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, and it mirrors a custom Balmain dress that the late great Josephine Baker wore in 1951 while performing her song “Black Magic.” Valdes often styled famous women like Baker.
Speaking to E! News about her look, Hadid said, “It’s an homage to Zelda Wynn Valdes. Everyone, go look her up. She was an amazing dressmaker who made some really special pieces in the late ‘40s. She was trained by her uncle in his men’s tailoring shop, and she took those codes and skills to really mix them together in order to let people express themselves with what she made.”
I love Met Gala outfits that have intention, and that really goes a long way this year with so many non-Black folks clueless about what to wear to honor the theme. Take a look at how Hadid channeled Baker’s gown in the X post below.