Each year, a grand and monumental event takes place, showcasing talent from around the world. From fashion designers to stylists, hairdressers, and beyond, the event brings together all creative disciplines to craft meaningful, statement-making looks for the celebrities. Uniting culture and fashion in a single space seems to be the prevailing mantra of our time. The Met Gala, known for its exclusivity, high fashion, and commitment to tradition and innovation, welcomed stars, young creatives, and industry paragons this year for the exhibition titled “Tailored for You.”

Establishing themselves once again as maestro of trends and style, the attendees arrived in meticulously designed, tailored costumes. Rihanna appeared in an effortless Marc Jacobs bolero jacket paired with a slit skirt—her signature dandy flair—and revealed her baby bump, which was much too predictable. Her husband, ASAP Rocky, wore AWGE with Christian Louboutin shoes, but the overall ensemble lacked cohesion and impact.

Hailey Bieber, ever present in the public eye amid her (now decade-long) drama with Selena Gomez, opted for a black Saint Laurent dress. Unfortunately, she missed the mark and appeared underwhelming on the red carpet. Kendall Jenner, though adorned with a diamond-studded necklace, seemed to have forgotten the gravity of the occasion—it was THE Met Gala, after all.

Fans had high hopes for meaningful South Asian representation this year, but the anticipation quickly turned to disappointment. Global icons like Shah Rukh Khan and Diljit Dosanjh were, regrettably, overlooked rather than celebrated. Despite their worldwide influence and a collective fan base in the billions, both remained largely unrecognized.

Diljit Dosanjh, in particular, made a powerful statement in a custom Prabal Gurung ensemble—he didn’t just walk the 2025 Met Gala carpet, he ruled it. The Punjabi superstar embodied both royalty and precision tailoring. He wore an ivory and gold sherwani, layered with a sweeping cape embroidered with the silhouette of Punjab. His look was completed with a feathered, jewel-studded turban and a layered diamond necklace by Golecha’s Jewels, inspired by the iconic Patiala Necklace once worn by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh.

What’s deeply ironic is that Cartier denied Diljit the opportunity to wear the original Patiala Necklace—an artifact of Punjabi heritage—while it had no issue allowing influencer Emma Chamberlain to wear a piece of it in 2022. Chamberlain, though, is a familiar Met Gala face; Cartier missed the opportunity for an authentic representation.

Kylie Jenner stunned the midnight blue carpet dressed in an ethereal black ensemble, fitted in a corseted bodice with structured boning and a flowing skirt with a dramatic slit. The silhouette sculpted her frame beautifully, exuding glamour and grace. Laura Harrier embodied elegance in a timeless look designed by Zac Posen. Her outfit — a refined waistcoat paired with flowing, tailored palazzo trousers — was contemporary and a nod to the historical dandy. She didn’t just wear the look; she owned the room with her presence.

Walton Goggins, known for his role in The White Lotus, arrived in a sharply tailored suit. Clean lines and precise tailoring gave his look an effortless polish — a perfect example of how classic menswear can still make a bold statement.

With most of the looks from the night found underwhelming, one cannot help but wonder if fashion has come to a halt. Most couture brands focused more on the pizzazz than the elegance and simplicity of ‘Tailored for You’. It was either too much or not much at all.

May 25, 2025