Met Gala 2025 theme raises concerns among fashion fans: ‘Sounds like a recipe for appropriation disaster’
Vogue has sparked fears of an ‘appropriation disaster’ after unveiling the 2025 Met Gala theme.
On Wednesday, Vogue announced the co-chairs of the 2025 Met Gala, including Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, Anna Wintour and LeBron James, who will serve as honorary chair.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City also announced the Costume Institute’s spring exhibition Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, inspired by Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book, Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.
According to Vogue, the exhibition will feature garments, paintings and photographs that “explore the indelible style of black men in the context of dandyism, from the 18th century to the present.”
Vogue broke the news Instagramand some fashion fans were concerned, with some pointing out that it could be ‘a recipe for appropriation’, although others said it was long awaited.
On Wednesday, Vogue announced the co-chairs of the 2025 Met Gala, including Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, Anna Wintour (pictured) and LeBron James.
Commenters were divided on the announcement, with some people saying it was long awaited, while others worried that black designers wouldn’t be properly represented.
Many commenters said they couldn’t wait to see how stars like Zendaya, her stylist Law Roach, Janelle Monae, Rihanna, Teyana and Jonathan Majors interpret the theme.
Others, however, were more concerned about appropriation and representation.
“Am I the only one nervous about this?” asked one fashion fan, while another said: ‘A good theme, but let’s hope no one will appropriate cultures.’
One comment read: ‘Sounds like a recipe for appropriation disaster…Stylists are studying up!’
“I love the theme but I wonder if they will use black (American, African, British) designers this year, so much has been looked at,” another commenter wrote.
“Kudos…now let’s just pray no one shows up in blackface,” another person weighed in.
Some people were simply concerned about the guest list, explaining, “It’s TIME that BLACK CREATIVES are honored for their contributions to the fashion industry, I hope the invite list reflects the theme.”
Others were more optimistic, writing: ‘Plenty of time to properly flesh out this theme, I wonder how the other ethnicities will shape this and not be culturally appropriative or disrespectful/stereotypical.’
Many commenters said they couldn’t wait to see how Zendaya interpreted the theme, as did Janelle Monae, Rihanna (pictured) and Jonathan Majors
Fashion fans flocked to the comments to say who they think would rock the Met 2025 red carpet, with many mentioning Teyana Taylor above
“This is a theme we deserve to see. How exciting. Zendaya finna eat this one,” one commenter wrote, while another said, “I know a theme like this hates to see Janelle Monae coming.”
One commenter wrote: ‘Black style has had an immeasurable influence on global fashion identity and commercialism throughout history. This Met Gala theme is long overdue.”
‘This is brilliant. This is classic. This is history,” one fashionista declared, as someone else agreed, “Blacks are the standard for excellence as we are its purveyors.”
‘Nice! I’m a little nervous about the lack of recognition of African Americans in the fashion industry as a whole. It’s cool, but it makes me sad that there will be very few African American fashion houses that can showcase their art because they just won’t allow it. to actually exist, but I hope this changes the trajectory. Excellent choice Anna!’ someone else wrote.
Some people were excited, saying, “This carpet will go down in history,” “This will be legendary,” and describing the line-up as “Black Royalty.”
The Met Gala returns to Manhattan on May 5, 2025, with the dress code to be announced in early 2025.
The Superfine exhibition opens on May 6 and runs until October 26, 2025.
