The safe-bet sin
If we speak of the fashion wrap-up of 2025, it becomes impossible to overlook the Met Gala — the night that sent the industry into collective overdrive, with critics and digital creators flooding timelines with Reels, breakdowns and sharp opinions. The gala, themed Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, acted as a cultural scoreboard. ‘Superfine’ set the standard, and for the first time in two decades, menswear stood at the centre, celebrating the intellectual and sartorial depth of Black Dandyism. With the dress code Tailored For You, the Met steps became a stage of identity, where Indian icons presented some of the most polished and decisive debuts in the event’s history.
The Best Dressed conversation favoured those who treated tailoring as narrative. Shah Rukh Khan arrived in a custom Sabyasachi coat crafted from Tasmanian superfine wool, carrying a gold Bengal Tiger Head cane set with sapphires — a study in reclaimed royalty. Diljit Dosanjh followed with a ‘Modern Maharaja’ moment in Prabal Gurung’s ivory sherwani and turban, complete with a ceremonial talwar that placed Punjabi pride at the centre of global fashion attention. The evening also celebrated deeply personal storytelling. Kiara Advani made a moving debut while expecting her first child, wearing Gaurav Gupta’s Bravehearts, its sculpted gold breastplate symbolising the bond between mother and child. Isha Ambani extended India’s couture presence in custom Anamika Khanna, reinforcing the authority of heritage-driven style on the red carpet. And in one of the most talked-about reveals of the night, Rihanna walked in a deconstructed tuxedo-inspired look, announcing her pregnancy through tailoring rather than spectacle.
Criticism had its place as well. Social feeds highlighted guests who ‘played safe,’ with commentators arguing that minimalist gowns felt out of step with a theme rooted in courage and craft. Stars like Gigi Hadid, Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner were criticised in viral videos for being ‘too simple.’ A viral controversy arose when Lisa’s Louis Vuitton bodysuit featured a collage that placed Rosa Parks on the briefs, prompting a wider debate about artistic judgement and cultural sensitivity.
The Met Gala 2025 captured the state of the fashion world: confident in craft, conscious of history, and willing to let identity lead — a clear signal of where style intends to move next.
