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A Legacy in the Making: Celebrating Black Designers at the Met Gala

A look back at some of the finest tailoring and creations of Black designers at the Met Gala through the years

A Legacy in the Making: Celebrating Black Designers at the Met Gala
Teyana Taylor: Met Gala 2022

As the fashion industry gets ready for the 2025 Met Gala, which has the subject Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, this year’s topic explores the rich history of Black dandyism and its development in fashion history, drawing inspiration from Monica L. Miller’s groundbreaking book Slaves to Fashion.

Black designers have continuously reinvented elegance and defied traditions on the Met Gala red carpet, from Christopher John Rogers’ architectural genius to LaQuan Smith’s sensual perfection and Kenneth Nicholson’s inventive tailoring.

In addition to adorning celebrities and their contributions, whether in the form of complete outfits or painstakingly designed accessories, the designs have told tales of ingenuity, resiliency, and heritage.

In keeping with this year’s theme, we look back at some of the most memorable Met Gala moments where Black designers made a lasting impression, honoring the clothing and accessories that have influenced the story of the most glitzy night in fashion.

SOLANGE KNOWLES

Knowles paired her gown with exquisite shoes from Brother Vellies at the Manus x Machina Met Gala 2016.

NAOMI CAMPBELL

Campbell accessorized her Valentino gown with jewelry by Nigerian designer Maki Oh at the Camp: Notes on Fashion Met Gala 2019.

JANELLE MONÁE

Monáe styled her Christian Siriano gown with accessories by Pyer Moss at the Camp: Notes on Fashion Met Gala 2019.

SERENA WILLIAMS

Williams wore custom Nike x Off-White sneakers by Virgil Abloh with her Versace gown at the Camp: Notes on Fashion Met Gala 2019.

TRACEE ELLIS ROSS

Ross adorned her Moschino ensemble with sculptural earrings by Mateo New York at the Camp: Notes on Fashion Met Gala 2019.

ERYKAH BADU

Badu completed her Thom Browne ensemble with custom accessories by Black artisans at the Met Gala 2021.

LEWIS HAMILTON

Hamilton wore a romantic lace ensemble by Kenneth Nicholson at the Met Gala 2021.

KEKE PALMER

Palmer dazzled in a golden halter gown by Sergio Hudson at the Met Gala 2021.

CIARA

Ciara finished her Dundas ensemble with custom shoes designed by Sergio Hudson at the Met Gala 2021.

AYESHA CURRY

Curry stunned in a shimmering gold gown by Sergio Hudson at the Met Gala 2021.

ALICIA KEYS

Keys accessorized her AZ Factory ensemble with jewelry by Pristine by Cece at the Met Gala 2021.

CYNTHIA ERIVO

Erivo adorned her Louis Vuitton ensemble with rings by Beads Byaree at the Met Gala 2021.

GABRIELLE UNION

Union wore a sculptural white gown by Christopher John Rogers at the Met Gala 2022.

LA LA ANTHONY

Anthony turned heads in a burgundy cutout gown by LaQuan Smith at the Met Gala 2022.

TEYANA TAYLOR

Taylor layered jewelry by L’Enchanteur with her Iris van Herpen ensemble at the Met Gala 2022.

MICHAELA COEL

Coel curated and wore jewelry by Black artisans alongside her Schiaparelli couture gown at the Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty Met Gala 2023.

DANAI GURIRA

Gurira stunned in a custom gown by Taofeek Abijako at the Met Gala 2022.

USHER

Usher wore a tailored black ensemble by Wales Bonner at the Met Gala 2023.

Stay tuned for all the glamour from this years Met Gala!

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