Met Gala 2025: 5 Australian fashion experts on the best looks, from Rihanna to Doechii – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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By Yasmin Jeffery
By Jared Richards
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Topic:Fashion
Rapper Doechii combined several of the night's trends — a cigar, a white suit, Louis Vuitton — yet made it her own. (Getty Images: Mike Coppola/MG25)
There's never been a Met Gala like this one.
The 2025 gala had a heightened sense of purpose, with the "Tailored for You" theme celebrating 300 years of Black self-expression across the diaspora, in recognition of the contributions Black people have made to high fashion.
It was inspired by Monica L Miller's 2009 book, Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity, which is currently the focus of the Costume Institute's spring exhibition.
With the red carpet over for another year, it's time to judge the celebrities on their interpretation of the theme.
We asked five fashion experts in Australia — Samala Thakialee Cronin, Lynn Mathuthu, Tamara Leacock, Natisha Tabua and Sofia Stafford — for their takes on the stand-out looks of the night.
Want more of the couture from fashion's night of nights? Catch up with our live coverage of the red carpet.
Tamara Leacock is the designer behind Naarm/Melbourne-based label REMUSE.
US photographer Tyler Mitchell wears Wales Bonner. (Getty: John Shearer)
"Tyler Mitchell is renowned for his use of diasporic storytelling in his image-making, so I was waiting for this look — and it didn't disappoint. Mitchell's outfit, by iconic Black English designer Grace Wales Bonner, is the embodiment of Black dandyism and multi-dimensionally expressed Black masculinity.
"It features precision tailoring, provocative excess from grill to layer, and was complemented by precise hair and makeup.
"I wish more Met Gala guests would have used the theme to platform Black designers like Mitchell, given we are in a time of diversity, equity and inclusion reversal, international art tariffs, and mono-nationalistic insularity.
"But the fact not all did turns daring outfits like this one into a glimmer of hope."
US rapper Doechii wears Louis Vuitton. (Getty: Theo Wargo)
"Doechii — forever the icon, a Black queer femme artist who has danced in the realm of dandyism, sartorial explorations of Black masculinity, and an intentionally curated style — also made a moment of the details.
"Working directly with Louis Vuitton creative director and Met Gala co-chair Pharrell Williams, she curated a look that reinterpreted the LV logo — often a sign of status within Black American diasporic communities — through the customisation of her suit and the integration of the logo into even her makeup.
"The entire look felt like a nod to one of the most prominent figures of contemporary Black dandyism, [late Vogue editor-at-large] André Leon Talley.
"Her decision to celebrate her Afro was a point of refreshing difference, as was the sartorial choice to don shorts.
"Her look would have been more subversive had she collaborated with a Black-founded independent design house — nonetheless, it was a moment in fashion history."
US actor Zuri Hall wears Bishme Cromartie. (Getty: Dimitrios Kambouris)
"Zuri Hall integrated garment re-imagining, potential upcycling inspo and even a potential nod to sustainability aesthetics with her custom backless suit gown by upcoming Black designer Bishme Cromartie."
Samala Thakialee Cronin is the Butchulla and Woppaburra designer behind Naarm/Melbourne-based label MumRed.
US actor Colman Domingo wears Valentino. (AP: Invision/Evan Agostini)
"Colman stepped out like a sermon in silk. A tribute to the late, great André Leon Talley, he arrived as Black royalty draped in a beaded and embroidered royal blue cape — regal, reverent, and ready to deliver.
"The suspense? Delicious. You knew he had something under there. And then…the custom Valentino zoot-suit-inspired reveal!
Domingo blessed us not with just one outfit, but two. (AP: Invision/Evan Agostini)
"It referenced the Zoot Suit Riots, the Moors, Mansa Musa — a whole legacy of resistance, style, and survival.
"The brocade embroidery, the structure, the echo of Harlem and Renaissance lines with futuristic shine — this was storytelling in silhouette!"
US singer-songwriter and actor Teyana Taylor wears Ruth E Carter in collaboration with Marc Jacobs. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images)
"Teyana is the moment — quintessential Black excellence with a dandy twist. Styled in a striking red pinstripe suit by Ruth E Carter, complete with an ostrich feather plume, rose pin, cane and immaculate layering, she embodied everything the theme silently stood for: tailored resistance and radiant self-definition.
"Her look was political, powerful and beautiful. It reminded me of our struggle here: to be seen other than just Black and white, that we are still here, all fine and dandy and colourfully lubly!
"My first thought was 'Harlem Rose' and that was before I knew it was written on the cape.
"In these interesting times, when diversity is seriously threatened, Teyana slayed this brief!"
US actor, comedian and all-around icon Whoopi Goldberg wears Thom Browne. (AP: Invision/Evan Agostini)
"Whoopi brings proper Boss energy as the High Priestess of Dandy.
"She gave us powerful matriarch vibes, dressed in a custom Thom Browne creation that hit every note: a sequinned hourglass coat; a sculpted suit-dress; a sharp top hat. And the ultimate touch? Her silver-capped fingers.
"With a wink (Whoopi style) to classic dandy styling and a full embrace of effortless Blak matriarch energy, Whoopi showed us that real icons don't need to shout. She kept it old-school, elegant, and untouched by trend."
Sofia Stafford is the designer behind Naarm/Melbourne-based label Sabatucci.
Dutch model Imaan Hammam wears Magda Butrym. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)
"Imaan Hammam dazzled in a modern reinterpretation of the zoot suit, showcasing a one-piece creation of stunning proportions.
"The striking ensemble was complemented by Margiela x Louboutin heels, peeking out from the hem of her pants. A polka-dot tie added whimsy and served as a subtle homage to the jazz age, a period synonymous with Black cultural innovation and creative freedom.
"The statement cane referenced the Harlem Renaissance and embodied themes of self-expression, dignity and resistance. To crown the ensemble, an ostrich feather hat delicately danced as she moved, adding both elegance and a touch of playfulness to her look.
"Hammam displayed a bold statement of pride, defiance and the power of sartorial symbolism, perfectly capturing the essence of Black dandyism."
US actor and model Hunter Schafer wears Prada. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
"Layers of cool: adorned in a multi-layered Prada look, Hunter Schafer stunned in classic tailoring with crisp white shirting and a matching jacket that cinched at the waist, a black blazer effortlessly draped over her shoulders, and coordinating tailored trousers.
"A white turtleneck peeked from beneath her collar, complemented by white leather gloves and a beret — paying homage to the iconic Black Panther uniform, symbolising political resistance.
"It was a thoughtful, refined and quietly powerful interpretation of the theme."
US singer-songwriter, rapper and actor Janelle Monáe wears Thom Browne. (Getty Images: John Shearer/WireImage)
"Janelle Monáe is always one to watch, and they didn't disappoint in a captivating look by Thom Browne in collaboration with Paul Tazewell [who this year became the first Black man to win a costume design Oscar for his work on Wicked].
"She embodied a 'time-travelling dandy', drawing inspiration from 1930s tailoring while incorporating bold, futuristic elements.
"The structured overcoat gave the illusion of stepping out of a time machine and revealed a deconstructed suit beneath.
"The entire look transcended gender norms and stood out as a celebration of personal expression, paying homage to cultural and historical references."
Lynn Mathuthu is a stylist and fashion commentator living in Sydney on Gadigal land.
US actor Zendaya wears Louis Vuitton. (AP: Invision/Evan Agostini)
"Zendaya and Imaan Hammam had similar looks, in the sense [they were both] very well-tailored white suits with super-high-waisted pants, hugging the body in all the right places — and just a beautiful accessory, the hat, to tie everything together.
"It also reminds me of André Leon Talley, who talked a lot about his grandmother's Sunday best dress. There's something very church-y about [the hat], but not in a religious way: it's just very ritualistic."
Kenyan-Mexican actor Lupita Nyong'o wears Chanel. (Getty Images: Theo Wargo/FilmMagic)
"It was fun! I loved the colour. I don't think we saw a lot of colour this year — when people think of tailoring, they think of suiting, and of black and white.
"I also just loved the little hat, it was reminiscent of that church dressing style [like Zendaya]. And that fabric, the chiffon [cape], and the Chanel camelia — it's letting you know what [designer] it is without being too overzealous.
"And it's the same teal colour she wore when she won her Oscar! She must have her colour theory down, she knows what works for her skin tone."
Barbadian singer/businesswoman/icon Rihanna wears Marc Jacobs. (Getty: Gilbert Flores)
"The history of the dandy, especially with the Harlem Renaissance, is Black people with money who play around with different elements because they're not trying to fit into a certain mould.
"It's a little bit flashy, but it's fabulous — actually, A$AP Rocky said it was 'ghetto fabulous', which is my favourite comment.
"She doesn't necessarily have to stick to a certain structure when it comes to dressing, because the whole point is you're not trying to align yourself with a white audience, so you've got no restrictions. You can play with the rules, the materials, the structure.
"It's throwing out all of the rules. It's like she's playing with silhouette and she's playing with structure and she's playing with tailoring. It doesn't feel like it's abiding by anything."
Natisha Tabua is the Hanuabada, Daru, Kalkulgal, Fijian and Indian designer behind Naarm/Melbourne-based label Off the Plantation.
Senegalese-Italian influencer Khaby Lame wears BOSS. (Getty Images: Dia Dipasupil)
"Unapologetically, my favourite look from this year's Met Gala, Khaby Lame opted for a vintage-inspired grey pinstripe suit, also known as the zoot suit.
"In the 1940s, zoot suits represented identity and cultural expression in the Black American community, with the intended desire of being seen and politically heard — a perfect alignment to the Gala's theme.
"Topped off with a classic trench coat and accessorised with pocket watches, I can't help but love how much depth and Black history is in this look."
US singer-songwriter Coco Jones wears Manish Malhotra. (Getty Images: Jamie McCarthy)
"An exaggerated suit jacket cascading to the floor with matching pants, Coco Jones's look is absolute craftsmanship.
"Handcrafted and embroidered by Manish Malhotra, this is why I love fashion. Fashion is art and expression and this garment is exactly that to me."
US model, actor and dancer Alton Mason wears BOSS. (Getty Images: Michael Buckner/Penske Media)
"This look to me is culture in contemporary style, which really speaks to me and the way I create.
"It's an expression of the current generation being themselves unapologetically, creating how they want to create, with respect to their cultural backgrounds and upbringings.
"Honestly, they look like a Black Anime superhero and I'm so here for that."
Quotes lightly edited for clarity and brevity.
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