This year’s Met Gala theme honored Black dandyism with “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” (dress code: “Tailored for You”). Dandyism cannot be separated from queer identity, and seeing men go all out for daring fashion looks and so many women wearing suits instead of gowns made this a very queered carpet… not to mention the actual queer and trans celebrities gracing the gala. So many delivered looks that showed they understood the assignment… Let’s see some!
Alex Consani
Ground-breaking trans model Alex Consani stunned in 32,900 Swarovski crystals in a cut-out suit jacket/dress. It was her first Met Gala and she made a strong first impression.
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Alton Mason
The actor and model Alton Mason wore a custom BOSS piece with a custom FICHU durag—and he looked amazing.
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Ayo Edebiri
Abbott Elementary and The Bear actress Ayo Edebiri said that her dad and her Nigerian and Bajan heritage were inspirations for her look that she collaborated on for months with Ferragamo creative director Maximilian Davis and stylist Danielle Goldberg. They used glass beads to look like coral, an integral part of Nigerian fashion.
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Bebe Rexha
This is how to bring softness to a sea of sharp tailored suits. Bebe looks stunning in Christian Siriano.
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Chappell Roan
Chappell made her Met Gala debut like a girl who’s gonna keep on dancing at the Pink Pony Club. Well, it was more disco inspired, but it was hot pink. “We channeled the glamour and freedom of the disco era—think Sylvester, Superfly, superfine tailoring, and unapologetic shine,” outfit creator Pat McGrath said. (There’s also footage of Chappell saying “protect the dolls” on the carpet.)
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Colman Domingo
Actor Colman Domingo has been with his husband Raúl Domingo 20 years, but he posed on the carpet with his Met Gala Co-Chair Lewis Hamilton. Colman is the first Latino co-chair in the gala’s history and his look by Valentino definitely channels André Leon Talley.
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Cynthia Erivo
Honestly, I’m never going to say Cynthia Erivo is looking anything less than gorgeous. This look is by Givenchy—and took over 2,250 hours to make. And her nails had different suit accessories (like brooch, tie, button, and pocket square) in miniature attached to them.
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Doechii
Absolutely no notes on this Louis Vuitton design for Doechii’s Met Gala debut. (Madonna also used an unlit cigar as an accessory.)
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Hunter Schafer
The Euphoria actress served a winning Prada look on the carpet.
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Janelle Monáe
Janelle absolutely nailed it in a look by Thom Browne, the designer who recently won an Oscar for Wicked.
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Jeremy O. Harris
Jeremy truly embodies this theme that seems to have been made just for him. I highly recommend you read his essay on Black dandyism published by Vogue on April 16. He says, “To be a Black dandy is to dress as though you know you’re loved and therefore have no use for shame.”
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Keke Palmer
Keke nailed it in Vera Wang!
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Megan Thee Stallion
Megan wore custom Michael Kors and gorgeous hair.
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Sam Smith and Christian Cowan
Singer Sam Smith and designer Christian Cowan stepped out together as a couple in Christian’s designs. I love how Christian’s green hair and the carnations on both of their lapels is a nod to the green carnation, a queer flagging symbol created by dandy Oscar Wilde. (Elliot Page wore a green flower on his lapel to the 2021 Met Gala to do this as well.)
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Sha’Carri Richardson
I am forever a Sha’Carri Richardson stan, but this look missed the mark. Known for her loud hair and nails, this look is too quiet for her and not tailored enough for the theme.
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Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi wore a Thom Browne look that was right on the money.
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Author(s)
Sarah Prager
Sarah Prager is the author of the award-winning Queer, There, and Everywhere: 27 People Who Changed the World, Rainbow Revolutionaries: 50 LGBTQ+ People Who Made History, Kind Like Marsha: Learning from LGBTQ+ Leaders, and A Child's Introduction to Pride: The Inspirational History and Culture of the LGBTQIA+ Community. Learn more about her speaking, writing, and more at www.sarahprager.com.