Fashion’s most fabulous night has become more than just a party. It has turned into a cultural powerhouse. But is it still worth the hype?
Once a year, the grand marble steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC turn into the world’s most glamorous and symbolic stage. The Met Gala is not just a red carpet; it is the red carpet. However, beyond the sequins, sculptural gowns, and front-row celebrities, lies a cultural engine that funds, celebrates, challenges, and dazzles—all at once. In a world where luxury often gets side-eyed and extravagance is questioned, it’s fair to ask: Does the Met Gala still matter? Spoiler alert: Yes, more than ever. Here’s why this over-the-top, high-fashion, cultural parade absolutely must continue to exist.
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It funds the future of fashion history
Let’s start with the facts: The Met Gala isn’t just a fashion spectacle; it’s the most important fundraiser for the Costume Institute, the department dedicated to the art of dress at the Met Museum. Without this event, many of the museum’s exhibitions and preservation projects simply wouldn’t happen. In 2025, the Gala raised a record-breaking $25 million, as reported by The New York Times. This funding supports the curation of historical exhibitions, the conservation of delicate archival pieces, and educational programmes that encompass centuries and cultures. Every pearl, train, and feather on that red carpet contributes to the preservation of fashion’s history and ensures its future.
It centers fashion as culture, not just clothes
Each year, the Gala’s theme reflects the Costume Institute’s central exhibition. But this isn’t just about literal dress-up; it’s about identity, politics, and power. This year’s exhibition, titled “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” is one of the most impactful yet. Inspired by Monica L. Miller’s book “Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity”, the show offers a deep cultural and historical analysis of Black style over 300 years, examining how sartorial expression has served as a form of resistance, refinement, and reclaiming of self.
The concept of Black dandyism is explored through garments, photographs, paintings, and multimedia works from artists like Torkwase Dyson, Tanda Francis, and Tyler Mitchell, whose pieces chronicle the evolution of tailored Black elegance, from 18th-century resistance to modern-day reinterpretation.
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Even the dress code, “Tailored for You”, paid tribute to Black menswear and custom fashion, inviting guests to reflect on what tailoring says about legacy, identity, and pride. This was not a costume party; it was a vibrant, wearable thesis on race, power, and elegance.
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It’s bigger than Vogue (though Anna Wintour’s still queen)
Let’s be real: no one curates events quite like Anna Wintour. However, the Met Gala has long outgrown being “just a Vogue thing.” Competing media outlets such as Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE, and Marie Claire dedicate entire issues, podcast episodes, and post-event breakdowns to the gala. Why is that? Because it’s not about brand loyalty; it embodies cultural relevance. The event is now regarded as a global platform where fashion, activism, and storytelling converge. It’s not just a party. It’s a stage.
The Met stairs are the most iconic runway in the world
There are runways in Paris, front rows in Milan, and step-and-repeats in Los Angeles, but there’s only one Met staircase. The stairs of the Met have become a kind of sacred runway—the most-watched, most-memed, and most-anticipated arrival in the fashion world. This year, the entrance reached new theatrical heights thanks to a gospel choir performance, directed by a live conductor, which turned the red carpet into a moment of sonic and spiritual uplift. The performance paid homage to Black musical roots, amplifying the “Superfine” theme with deeply emotional resonance. It wasn’t just fashion; it was ceremony.
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The star power is still unmatched
The Met Gala has always been a stage for legendary fashion moments, from Beyoncé’s latex Givenchy to Zendaya’s Cinderella-inspired look. But 2025 turned the volume back up to full diva mode with the surprise return of Diana Ross, who gracefully ascended the stairs in a sweeping, floor-length train that seemed to require its own zip code.
After a 22-year absence, the 81-year-old Motown legend made a triumphant return to the Met Gala, perfectly embodying the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” Her look was both personal and grand, a result of collaboration with her son, Evan Ross, and Nigerian designer Ugo Mozie. Together, they created an ensemble that honoured her legacy and family.
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Ross wore a silver sequined gown paired with an extravagant white feathered cape featuring an astonishing 18-foot train. The cape was embroidered with the names of her children and grandchildren, transforming the garment into a living family tree and a powerful statement of love and heritage. To complete the look, Ross donned a matching feathered halo hat, grey chandelier earrings, and peach-toned makeup, exuding an ethereal presence that captivated all attendees.
Her appearance was more than just a fashion statement; it was a celebration of lineage, identity, and the enduring influence of Black style icons.
Politics wears Prada (and Off-White) too
Fashion is inherently political, whether we admit it or not. The Met Gala has become an increasingly intentional venue for this intersection.
Case in point: Former Vice President Kamala Harris made a jaw-dropping appearance at the 2025 event, especially considering that President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were not on the guest list. Her presence was a statement—subtle, powerful, and unmistakable.
Harris didn’t just show up. She made an entrance in a bold Off-White black and white gown, cinched with a belt and adorned with a dramatic scarf neckline that stole the scene. She complemented the look with a timeless black clutch, sparkling emerald drop earrings, and a matching emerald ring. This ensemble embodied a sense of quiet strength and modern power—tailored, dignified, and iconic.
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Secrecy is half the fun
In an era where spoilers flood social media, the Met Gala remains refreshingly mysterious. Each guest’s outfit is a closely guarded secret until that first step onto the Met staircase. The arrival process, from high-security garages to blackout SUVs, has become a performance in itself.
This year, Cardi B added to the mystique with a now-viral moment: she was spotted completely concealed under a cluster of black Burberry umbrellas while being escorted out of The Surrey NYC, as captured in a video by @audryhiaoui and reshared by @whowhatwear. Only the flash of her shoe or the glint of a heel hinted at the extravagance tucked beneath the umbrellas.
The internet went wild with speculation—was it tulle? Velvet? Latex? Moments like this feed the hype and reinforce the Met Gala’s role as the last true fashion cliffhanger.
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It’s the one night Anna Wintour breaks a sweat
Let’s not pretend that this all comes together by accident. According to ABC News, Anna Wintour herself admitted that the Met Gala is the one night a year that even she gets flustered.
From last-minute dress edits to seating changes and weather panic, pulling off a night of this scale is practically a military operation in stilettos. But it’s Wintour’s obsession with perfection and her belief in fashion’s cultural value that keeps the Met Gala from being just another red carpet event. It’s a curated, living performance.
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Final stitch: why the Met Gala still matters
Critics will say it’s elitist, overly glamorous and out of touch. But here’s the thing: the Met Gala isn’t frivolous; it’s focused. It raises millions for cultural preservation. It elevates voices, histories, and communities. It transforms fashion from being merely commercial into something ceremonial, intellectual, emotional, and political.
This is where Black dandyism meets gospel vocals, where icons like Diana Ross, Madonna (wearing Tom Ford’s tuxedo), and Kamala Harris share the same runway, where style becomes a story of survival and celebration.
So yes, the Met Gala must go on. Because when done right, it’s not just a party; it’s a mirror held up to who we are and who we dare to become.
Angelo Ruggeri
Journalist and Master Course Tutor & Fashion Styling Course Leader, Milan