VIEWERS of the Met Gala slammed fashion’s biggest night as the ‘most boring’ ever and demanded a change.
Celebrities walking the blue carpet Monday evening received major backlash from social media users as people begged for better outfits.
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This Met Gala returned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to raise money for the museum’s Costume Institute and kick off the institute’s annual exhibition with the theme Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.
The theme was meant to highlight and focus on menswear, a noticeable change from the typical gown-centric themes of the past two decades.
Guest curator Monica Miller’s book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity served as the primary inspiration for this year’s theme.
Co-chairs Pharrell Williams and Lewis Hamilton both wore white suits custom-made by Louis Vuitton.
READ MORE ON THE MET GALA
A-list stars such as Hailey Bieber, Kerry Washington, Priyanka Chopra, and Anne Hathaway ditched the typical flowy ball gowns for more structured suit-like outfits.
Kendall Jenner and Kim Kardashian both wore tailored tops and skirts, with Kim adding a half-dipped hat which covered part of her face.
Sabrina Carpenter and K-Pop singer Lisa each sported Louis Vuitton bodices with a blazer top.
Sabrina walked the carpet alone in a burgundy outfit with matching heels, a change from the 2024 gala, where she wore a long black dress with her now ex-boyfriend, Barry Keoghan.
The rather simplistic outfits sharply contrasted last year’s theme, The Garden of Time.
Last year, guests showed up wearing colorful, extravagant gowns and bold hairstyles.
The change of pace left many social media users wanting more and demanding a more colorful theme for next year.
“This is the most boring theme in Met Gala history and whoever came up with it needs to be fired,” one user posted on X.
“WE WANT GOWNS ANNA!”
Dozens of other tweets echoed this user’s complaints, slamming the gala for being “uneventful.”
“This has gotta be the most boring met gala ever, it’s so uneventful,” one person posted.
Superfine: Tailoring Black Style — 2025 Met Gala’s theme explained
This year’s Met Gala theme Superfine: Tailoring Black Style was announced on October 9, 2024, but what does it mean?
It is inspired by a new exhibit at the Costume Institute that focuses on Black style, notably Black dandyism from the 18th century through to its resurgence in the 1920s and 30s in the Harlem Renaissance and its influence on present day.
Dandyism speaks to elegant and often excessive fashion used for self-expression that often breaks norms and can be seen as a form of rebellion.
Attendees have been told that the dress code is “Tailored for you” and that the theme explores how fashion has been used to both enslave and liberate.
It is inspired by the book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism And The Styling Of Black Diasporic Identity (2009), written by professor and chair of Africana studies at Barnard College, Monica L Miller.
This exhibition marks a significant step in diversifying the Met’s collections and addressing historical biases in curatorial practices.
Andrew Bolton, the Curator in Charge, emphasized the importance of making fashion at The Met more accessible and inclusive.
It comes as:
Others blamed the celebrities rather than the theme, particularly noting Anne Hathaway’s more basic outfit of a black striped skirt and white blouse.
“I can excuse missing the theme but i can NEVER excuse looking boring,” another user wrote.
Another user slammed the charity event for being the “most boring in years.”
“This is shaping up to be the most boring Met Gala in YEARS. Chop after chop,” they posted.
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SHINING STARS
While Sydney Sweeney received backlash online for her black Miu Miu gown, and Anne Hathaway for her office-chic Carolina Herrera outfit, several stars stood out as the night’s best dressed.
Zendaya looked sleek in a white three-piece Louis Vuitton silk suit, which fans called “perfection.”
“ZENDAYA!!! It’s very reminiscent of Bianca Jagger’s 70s suits and tailored to perfection,” an X user posted.
“It’s Zendaya’s world and we’re just living in it,” another fan wrote.
Diana Ross was also one of the night’s best-dressed as she rocked the carpet in a jaw-dropping 18-foot gown.
The singer ended her 22-year hiatus from the gala with a dress fans said “saved” the night.
“Disappointing Met Gala this year. Most everyone, save Diana Ross andn Angela Bassett, looks like they grabbed something from their closet or leftovers from the Derby last weekend. Bland n boring is theme achieved tonight,” one user wrote.
The marvelous dress was an homage to her family tree, with silver crystals embroidering all of the names of her children and grandchildren.
MISSING A-LISTERS
While the runway was packed with A-list celebrities such as Demi Moore and sports stars Saquon Barkley and Joe Burrow, several high profile previous attendees were missing.
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Kylie Jenner walked the carpet alone without her beau Timothée Chalamet, who has previously attended the star-studded event.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were also noticeably missing from the event.
Kelce has never attended the gala, however, Swift used to be a regular attendee.
How do you get an invite to the Met Gala?
The Met Gala is one of the biggest fashion nights of the year but not everyone gets to attend the annual fundraiser – so, how do you get an invite to the exclusive event?
Invites to the charity event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute are rare and they do not let you get in for free.
According to the New York Times, they cost $75,000 while tables are priced at $350,000 – and all attendees have to be approved by Vogue’s editor in chief Anna Wintour.
So, the majority of guests are invited by major fashion houses and organisations with celebrities usually able to attend for free on behalf of brands who will foot the bill.
Designers like Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton will usually buy tables and fill them up with A-listers from Hollywood, sports, art, and social media.
Many who get invites are brand ambassadors, major figures for hot campaigns, or stars that companies want to be linked to.
Social media stars are most likely to be invited by major platforms like Meta and Instagram, bringing in TikTok stars and other huge celebrities – but everyone needs to be over the age of 18.
Ultimately, anyone with a major platform who it willing to pay the price of a table and who is approved by Vogue’s chief will be able to attend.
Those who are not part of the elite may also be able to get their way into to exclusive event via volunteering and work.
Jobs or internships in production, public relations, catering, communications, media, and in the museum could also secure you a space behind the scenes at the Gala.
The superstar walked the carpet in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art for five consecutive years and last went in 2016, but hasn’t returned since.
Other absent stars included Naomi Campbell, Jennifer Lopez, and Sarah Jessica Parker.
Campbell posted on Instagram announcing that she wouldn’t be attending, but praising the gala’s theme.
“Congratulations to Anna Wintour, the brilliant designers, the dedicated Met Gala team, and stunning attendees of tonight’s extraordinary celebration,” the 54-year-old supermodel posted.
“I have to say, what perfect timing for the ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’ theme.
“It really celebrates how Black dandyism has shaped fashion and how fashion has been a way for Black people to express who they are and claim their power.”
Lakers star LeBron James, who was deemed an honorary co-chair of the event, said he wouldn’t attend the event due to a last minute injury.
“Unfortunately because of my knee injury I sustained at the end of the season I won’t be able to attend the Met Gala in NY tonight as so many people have been asking and congratulating me on,” he wrote on Instagram.
“Hate to miss an historical event! My beautiful, powerful Queen will be there holding the castle down as she always has done,” he added, mentioning his wife, Savannah James.
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