The Met Gala Looks That Paid Homage To Fashion Legends
From Grace Jones to Josephine Baker, a clutch of A-list celebrities looked to iconic women and cinematic triumphs to inform their Met Gala styling
The Met Gala 2025’s theme ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’ and the dress code ‘Tailored For You’ shone a rare spotlight on menswear on the iconic blue carpet this year— in fact, for the first time in two decades, since 2003’s theme of ‘Bravehearts: Men in Skirts.’ Without the frou frou of epic couture gowns, the theme presented stars with the opportunity to really hone in on the details, exploring nuanced storytelling and exacting craftsmanship all through the lens of Black dandyism.
For several stars, they looked into the archives to serve as their muse, referencing bygone fashion and film.
Zendaya
A regular at the Met Gala, Zendaya is always a ‘moment’. This year she delivered once again, styled by Law Roach, and sporting a custom Louis Vuitton by Pharrell Williams ensemble. Her white tailored suit paid homage to zoot suits; known for their high-waisted and tight-cuffed silhouettes. Referencing fashion icons from the 1970s and 1980s, the look was inspired by women of colour who became synonymous with great tailoring, such as Grace Jones and Gladys Bentley. Another reference was Diana Ross’ classic film from 1976 Mahogany, in which Ross, an aspiring fashion designer from Chicago, reaches fame with the help of a famous photographer. Zendaya walked alongside Diana herself in a touching moment on the blue carpet, suggesting the two had formed a connection that goes beyond the fashion of the night.
Gigi Hadid
Gigi Hadid was styled by Gabriella Kara-Johnso, and arrived at the Met Gala sporting a flowing gold gown and pin-up hairstyle. Her gown, by Miu Miu, was adorned with clear crystals with a thin halter strap, and paid homage to two black women with an undeniable impact on the fashion industry; designer Zelda Wynn Valdez, and singer, dancer and actor Josephine Baker.
Sydney Sweeney
Honouring Hollywood actress Kim Novak at the Met Gala, Sydney Sweeney chose a beautiful beaded gown by Miu Miu. Inspired by Novak’s dress from the 1967 film The Legend of Lylah Clare, Sydney’s dress featured delicate tassels on the sleeves and a peekaboo neckline, accentuated with a golden brooch. Fans also drew parallels with a dress worn by Joan Crawford in 1937, in the film The Bride Wore Red.
Anne Hathaway
Dressed in a custom Carolina Herrera skirt and a tailored white button-down shirt by Wes Gordon, Anne Hathaway was decked in Bulgari jewels while she paid homage to fashion’s most revered icon, the late André Leon Talley, who was a close friend of Carolina. Allowing the tailoring to do the talking, Anne’s open collar served as the perfect canvas for an extraordinary one-of-a-kind necklace by Bvlgari, part of its Polychroma high jewellery collection.
Lead Image Credits: Instagram/@estilodf