At the 2025 Met Gala, held on May 5 at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, African stars made a significant impact, aligning with the event’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
This theme celebrated Black dandyism and the art of tailoring within Black culture, encouraging attendees to interpret menswear-inspired fashion through a personal and cultural lens.
Lupita Nyong’o
Kenyan-Mexican actress Lupita Nyong’o returned to the Met Gala carpet, captivating attendees with a pastel green power suit. Her ensemble featured a double-breasted jacket, matching trousers, and a sheer floor-length cape. She accessorised with a bow tie adorned with a crystal brooch, a floral pin, a small top hat, and diamond jewelry. Her makeup included smoky eyes and distinctive bedazzled eyebrows, embodying the gala’s celebration of Black style and individuality.
Tems
Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems made a striking appearance in a custom ensemble by British-Ghanaian designer Ozwald Boateng. Her Ankara outfit—a deep blue shirt dress with a green print—was complemented by a nep tie, hair ribbon, and umbrella. This look paid homage to Boateng’s 2019 womenswear debut at New York’s Apollo Theater, commemorating the Harlem Renaissance’s centenary, and highlighted the influence of Black sartorial excellence.
Burna Boy
Nigerian superstar Burna Boy made a powerful statement in a regal red wool tuxedo paired with an oxblood eelskin cape, designed by Ozwald Boateng. The ensemble reflected Black excellence and Nigerian heritage, with the cape symbolizing survival and cultural continuity from his Niger Delta roots. The design was dramatically changed just a day before the event as artistic inspiration struck, aligning perfectly with this year’s theme.
Ayra Starr
Fellow Nigerian artist Ayra Starr also embraced the theme, donning a simple blcak tailored ensemble designed by Ozwald Boateng. Her outfit showcased the fusion of contemporary fashion with traditional tailoring, reflecting the gala’s emphasis on Black style and individuality.
Tyla
South African singer Tyla, serving on the Met Gala’s Host Committee, made a glamorous statement in a Jacquemus pinstripe gown with off-the-shoulder sleeves and an extravagant coordinating jacket train. She debuted a blonde pixie cut styled in voluminous waves and accessorized with custom Pandora jewelry featuring 30 carats of lab-grown diamonds, including a unique 6-carat heart pendant monocle. Her makeup, by Pat McGrath Labs, channeled vintage Hollywood glamour, aligning with the gala’s celebration of Black tailoring and style.
Anok Yai
South Sudanese-American model Anok Yai delivered a show-stopping look that aligned brilliantly with the event’s dress code. Collaborating with Thom Browne, her ensemble featured a black brocade bodice with trompe l’oeil jacket sleeves tied at the waist and a dramatic, stiff white skirt resembling a classic shirt hem, striking a clever balance between traditional tailoring and Old Hollywood elegance.
Ayo Edebiri
Ayo Edebiri, star of The Bear, also paid powerful homage to African culture. She wore a custom Ferragamo dress adorned with intricate coral beading—a direct tribute to traditional Edo attire from Nigeria. Her look balanced cultural pride with modern refinement, making her one of the standout fashion moments of the night.
Other African celebs at the Met Gala include Nigerian Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Nigerian stylist Swanky Jerry.
The 2025 Met Gala’s focus on “Tailored for You” provided a platform for African stars to showcase their cultural heritage and personal style through fashion. Their appearances underscored the global influence of African fashion and the significance of representation on one of fashion’s most prestigious stages.
