Published: 12:20, May 6, 2025 | Updated: 15:24, May 6, 2025
Stars shine in tailored looks at Met Ball celebration of Black style
By Reuters
Andre 3000 attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" exhibition on May 5, 2025, in New York. (PHOTO / AFP)

NEW YORK - Singer Rihanna revealed her third pregnancy, Pharrell Williams sported a jacket with 15,000 pearls and musician Andre 3000 strapped a piano to his back as celebrities celebrated Black style and tailoring at the Met Gala fundraiser on Monday.

Mostly black-and-white looks populated the daffodil-accented deep-blue carpet covering the steps to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Guests arrived as assistants sheltered them under umbrellas in the heavy rain.

(From left) Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, US actor Colman Domingo, and race car driver Lewis Hamilton arrive for the 2025 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2025, in New York. (PHOTO / AFP)

Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton and actor Colman Domingo, co-chairs of the gala, were among the first of the stars of sports, music, film and television to appear. Domingo wore a full-length royal blue pleated cloak falling from a gold-and-white casing around his shoulders. He removed the cloak to reveal a bejeweled, checkered black-and-white jacket and grey trousers. Hamilton chose an ivory suit with a beret.

Barbadian singer and actress Rihanna arrives for the 2025 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2025, in New York. (PHOTO / AFP)

The last to arrive was Rihanna, who sported a wide-brimmed black hat and a striped, corseted bodice that hugged her stomach. Her partner, musician A$AP Rocky, had arrived earlier and confirmed that Rihanna was pregnant with the couple's third child.

This photo, released by the US Democratic Party on May 6, 2025, shows former Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris with her outfit for attending this year's Met Gala. 

In between, former Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris had made her way into the event. She was not spotted on the carpet, but the Democratic Party posted a photo of her on social media in a long black-and-white gown.

Andre 3000 turned heads with one of the most over-the-top looks - a replica of a piano that he hauled on his back like a backpack.

Williams, the musician and creative director of Louis Vuitton menswear, wore black tuxedo pants paired with an ivory jacket adorned with 15,000 pearls.

Pharrell Williams (left), Met Gala Co-Chair, and Helen Lasichanh attend the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City. (PHOTO / AFP)

The Met Gala, a fundraiser for the art museum's Costume Institute, has become known for its roster of A-list celebrities in extravagant outfits. This year's guests were told to dress according to the theme "Tailored for You", a nod to the exhibit called Superfine: Tailoring Black Style at the museum's Costume Institute. The exhibit focuses on an elegant Black dandy aesthetic.

The theme was chosen before the election of US President Donald Trump, who launched an assault on diversity and inclusion efforts during the first weeks of his second term.

Shah Rukh Khan attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City. (PHOTO / AFP)

Andrew Bolton, head curator of the Costume Institute, said that even though work began on the exhibit in 2022, "in this current political climate, it resonates very differently. Timing is everything."

Andrew Bolton speaks at the press conference for the 2025 Met Gala celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City. (PHOTO / AFP)

Also on the carpet, legendary Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan wore a silk black sherwani-style jacket over black trousers with several necklaces including one with a giant "K." 

Euphoria actor Sydney Sweeney shimmered in a fitted sparkling black gown with her hair slicked back in a bun. Her co-star Zendaya wore a white silk suit with a brimmed hat.

Sydney Sweeney attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City. (PHOTO / AFP)

Some pops of color made a statement on the carpet. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles stood out in a short bright blue dress with a white collar. Director Spike Lee wore a black suit with a silver crossbody bag, orange glasses and an orange New York Knicks cap. Singer Chappell Roan donned hot pink.

US gymnast Simone Biles and her husband Foorball player Jonathan Owens arrive for the 2025 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2025, in New York. (PHOTO / AFP)

Among the notable accessories, Bad Bunny carried a brown and yellow bowling-style bag and Tessa Thompson had a fan with an image of the late fashion journalist Andre Leon Talley, who many cited as an inspiration for their outfits.

Bad Bunny attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" exhibition on May 5, 2025, in New York. (PHOTO / AFP)

Other attendees included musicians Stevie Wonder and Shaboozey and actors Demi Moore, Nicole Kidman and Cynthia Erivo. Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, honorary chair of the event, could not attend because of a knee injury. "Hate to miss an historical event!" James wrote on social media platform X.

Henry Taylor attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" exhibition on May 5, 2025, in New York. (PHOTO / AP)
Edward Enninful (left) and Serena Williams attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" exhibition on May 5, 2025, in New York. (PHOTO / AFP) 
Diana Ross attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" exhibition on May 5, 2025, in New York. (PHOTO / AP)
Teyana Taylor attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City. (PHOTO / AFP)
Maluma (left) and Willy Chavarria attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" exhibition on May 5, 2025, in New York. (PHOTO / AP)
Debbie Allen (left) and Norm Nixon attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" exhibition on May 5, 2025, in New York. (PHOTO / AP)
Khaby Lame attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City. (PHOTO / AFP)