A-listers shun the Met Gala as Zendaya, Kim Kardashian, Gigi Hadid and Miley Cyrus lead

It is typically a night for pushing fashion boundaries as stars step out in their most cutting edge looks for the Met Gala – however, 2025 was a lacklustre year which failed to deliver the star power and glamour of past events.

While the showstopping looks of yesteryear failed to appear, so did some of the invite-only soiree’s A-list fixtures, including Blake Lively, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grande and Katy Perry.

In years prior, celebrities have taken the theme and come up with out of the box results, and this year’s theme Superfine: Tailoring Black Style presented an opportunity for ‘boundary-pushing’ looks.

But instead the the red carpet was besieged by celebrities in drab outfits, as most stars played it safe and blended into the sea of grey and black ensembles – bar a select few who still managed to pull out all of the stops on fashion’s biggest night.

Zendaya, Kim Kardashian, Miley Cyrus and Gigi Hadid all still won style points for their impeccable outfits, as they brought some much needed glamour to the ‘meh’ event.

The American actress , 28, made a statement in a white suit and hat combination as she posed up a storm on the red carpet wearing custom Louis Vuitton.

Zendaya chose flared white trousers with a tailored button up and blazer, adding a large hat. The Euphoria star pulled her hair back, with her hat styled low over hair. 

After a slight red carpet mishap, Kim Kardashian, 44, wowed in a Chrome Hearts black snakeskin corset with matching skintight skirt, flashing her ample cleavage.

Kim’s form-fitting cowgirl chic look also put her pert derriere on display and the star paired the look with a matching low-slung hat. 

The skirt had a pearl accent along one hip and she also added a number of diamond necklaces for even more sparkle. 

Miley Cyrus, 32, also followed a black theme as she flashed her abs in custom Alaïa, rocking a ball skirt with a textured long-sleeve black crop top.

She wore her hair slicked back off her face and opted for subtle make-up, while completing the look with a gold choker and earrings. 

Meanwhile Gigi Hadid, 30, looked incredible as she glittered in a custom Miu Miu gold halter dress, complete with ruching along her tiny waist.

Gigi looked incredible in her striking metallic look, paired with her old Hollywood curls. The model added mauve hued lipstick to her lovely look.

Rihanna, 37, used to event to confirm her pregnancy as she showcased her growing baby bump in pinstripe skirt with a clingy gray top, tie and cropped blazer.

The singer revealed her third pregnancy just hours before the Met Gala; she was seen rocking a clingy grey top and low-slung skirt that showcased her pregnant belly while stepping out at the Carlyle Hotel before the event.

Rihanna is expecting her third child with partner A$AP Rocky, who are already parents to sons RZA, who turns three next week, and Riot Rose, 21 months.

The annual event’s theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, inspired by Monica Miller’s work, which includes her book Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.

The 2025 gala theme focuses on menswear, 22 years after the Men In Skirts theme – which was the first gala to focus only on menswear.

Elsewhere on the carpet, Kylie Jenner wore a sheer Ferragamo corset with a gray bralette and low-slung skirt. She took a silky brown scarf off to reveal her busty cleavage.

The girlfriend of Timothee Chalamet also wore sheer black gloves. 

The scarf had extra-long trains that cascaded behind her. 

Kendall Jenner wore a low-cut blazer with a flared hem, paired with a matching mermaid-style skirt. 

Kendall opted to add extensions in – since her hair is currently ear-length after she chopped off her locks in November. 

The model struck a pose with her best friend Hailey Bieber before they both hit the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Hailey wore a black blazer dress with tights and platform heels. 

The Rhode founder paired the sleek look with a diamond pendant necklace and earrings with her long hair loose around her in a deep side part. 

Lana del Rey looked like a classic movie star in her black and chocolate brown look, complete with a large bow on one shoulder.

Lana’s look had a feathered accent along the back of her blouse. 

The beauty wore her hair back in waves with minimal makeup, highlighting her stunning natural looks.   

Nicole Kidman wore a strapless – and backless – black gown with two bow details along her waist and hips, adding black gloves and diamonds bracelets and rings.

Megan Thee Stallion wowed in a busty silver gown, paired with a furry white coat.

Megan showed off her tiny waist in the fitted frock. 

Keke Palmer wore a white gown with black trousers beneath; the dress featured pockets.

The actress’ frock had a lapel neckline with pearl-like detailing along the center of the skirt and along her neckline.

Sydney Sweeney donned a figure-hugging sparkling black dress, featuring a large cut-out detail over her chest.

The busty blonde’s frock had a statement silver brooch along the neckline and textured short sleeves.

The Euphoria actress wore her golden locks in an updo with several strands styled over her forehead. 

Teyana Taylor made a dramatic arrival in a burgundy and black suit and cape, complete with a feathered hat.

Sabrina Carpenter went pants-less in a chocolate colored bodysuit with a fitted cropped jacket and a train.

Madonna kept it simple in a silky pearl hued suit with a skintight white blouse and bow tie; she arrived with her toy boy lover Akeem Morris, who is 37 years younger than her.

The icon, 66, met Akeem, 28, when he was on her August 2022 Paper magazine cover shoot with her. 

Cynthia Erivo flashed her legs in a open ball skirt, paired with an elaborate top. 

Nicki Minaj chose a black pinstripe look while Quinta Brunson and Tyla opted for a white version.

Halle Berry looked absolutely incredible in a see-through black paneled gown – flashing her toned form beneath.

Halle arrived with her handsome boyfriend, Van Hunt. 

Lisa went for a racy ensemble, rocking cheeky underwear with a matching blazer and tights. 

Dua Lipa chose a sheer black gown with a feathered skirt; she added sheer sparkly sleeves. 

Anne Hathaway paired a classic white shirt with a black and white mesh maxi skirt. 

Sadie Sink arrived in a dramatic black lace look, with her signature rock locks pulled back into a chic updo.

Zoe Saldana also rocked short hair, while rocking a black and white corset number. 

Meanwhile Mindy Kaling donned a red, black and white frock and Ciara chose a black and silver racy cut-out look. 

Living legend Diana Ross turned heads in sequin gown with a fuzzy jacket that featured a long train; she wore a matching hat.

Rosalia, Taraji P. Henson and Mary J. Blige opted for for white looks, with Mary choose trousers and a top with duster coat.

Kerry Washington flashed major cleavage in her plunging blazer-inspired top and sheer ball skirt; she arrived with her husband Nnamdi Asomugha. 

Laura Harrier looked immaculate in her Zac Posen designed Gap look, featuring wide leg pants and a tailored vest. 

Pamela Anderson debuted a striking haircut as she posed on the red carpet with her son Brandon Thomas Lee. 

Lauryn Hill and Tessa Thompson wore yellow looks while Liu Wen chose a velvet burnt orange two-piece suit. 

Cardi B, Tems and Natasha Poonawalla opted for very elaborate looks that channeled Renaissance vibes. 

Gayle King, Andra Day and Tracee Ellis Ross wore bold pink and purple fits. 

Chappell Roan wore a fuchsia pantsuit while Natasha Lyonne looked ethereal in lavender and Rachel Brosnahan wore a deep purple strapless number. 

Shakira wore a Barbie pink dress with sheer panels along the sides of the voluminous skirt; Adut Akech looked incredible in pink and silver vest dress with a feathered ombre dress. 

Janelle Monae chose a very structured suit that later revealed a more tailored look beneath. 

Gabby Thomas wowed in a red cropped vest with striking sleeves, paired with a bead accented mermaid skirt. 

The annual invite-only event has a theme each year, with this year’s theme as ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,’ inspired by Monica Miller’s work, which includes her book Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.

The 2025 gala theme focuses on menswear, 22 years after the ‘Men In Skirts’ theme – which was the first gala to focus only on menswear. 

Monica is the chair of Africana Studies at Barnard College, as well as a professor at the institute. 

According to Monica, Black dandyism is ‘a strategy and a tool to rethink identity, to reimagine the self in a different context. To really push a boundary – especially during the time of enslavement, to really push a boundary on who and what counts as human, even,’ via Vogue.

The Met Gala 2025 was co-chaired by Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Colman Domingo, Pharrell Williams and Anna Wintour, with Lebron James as the honorary chair.