If there’s one designer who consistently turns tailoring into high art at the Met Gala, it’s . With a toolkit of superfine suiting, a flair for the unexpected, and a deep love for deconstruction, is never one to serve basics. This year’s theme—rooted in the elegance and rigor of black tie—was basically a blank cheque for to experiment. And experiment he did.

While Janelle Monáe’s conceptual look had us talking from the moment she hit the steps, it wasn’t the only moment worthy of a standing ovation.

If tailoring had a queen, she’d be Demi Moore in this sculptural black and white beaded gown. Who else could turn a literal necktie into the centrepiece of one of the most elegant gowns of the night? The beading gave the illusion of formality while the silhouette whispered Old Hollywood—this was dandy elegance rewritten in Demi’s image. This wasn’t just on-theme, it was one of the night’s best.

Styled by Brad Goreski.

look was all about small details made epic. Who knew a cummerbund could become a moment? clearly did. The floating bandeau top and floor-length skirt were built entirely from the signature folds of this humble waist accessory. Add in her serene presence and this became a masterstroke in reimagining the mechanics of tailoring. Divine and deeply clever. Blackened Aura Diamond Huggies in her hair completed her look.

Styled by Taylor McNeill.

debuted a new shorter hairstyle, much like Nicole Kidman at this event. Her custom tuxedo dress glistened with white bugle beads stitched along every seam. It was tied—literally—together with a giant bow trailing dramatically to the floor. But it’s the sculpted silhouette that really carried this into the pantheon of masterpieces. The tailoring is the story, and told it beautifully.

Styled by Petra Flannery.

gave us modern femininity with a surrealist twist. The cropped trompe l’oeil jacket and shirt collar on top was pure classicism, but below, it exploded into an exaggerated hip corset and drop-waist skirt with an extravagant train. Structured, sharp, and totally unexpected.

custom look offered a deconstructed twist on the classic dandy pinstripe suit—an ensemble that felt like a work in progress, artfully unraveling yet entirely intentional. The tailoring was undone but complete, grounded by a sharp pencil skirt that flowed into a dramatic mermaid train. The rapper is known for leaning into the comical or over-the-top, choice here felt refreshingly refined, showing she can deliver restraint and concept with just as much impact.

Styled by Law Roach.

showed up looking like he wandered out of a tailor’s fever dream—shoulder pads exposed, stitches visible, everything intentionally inside-out. This kind of look requires a character actor’s gravitas to land, and is exactly that. It was punk meets Savile Row, and weirdly, it worked. timepiece completed his look.

Styled by Erica Cloud.

usually devours a red carpet, but this corset shirtdress didn’t quite rise to the occasion. The beaded crisscross pattern felt overworked, and the draped jacket tied around her hips gave it an awkward proportion. A rare misstep in an otherwise stellar lineup.

Styled by Carlos Nazario.

gave us theatrical dandy realness in a black duchess satin tailored dress, layered under a matte white sequin overcoat embroidered. Add a veiled top hat and suddenly you’ve got a whole Met Gala opera. A triumph of personality, vision, and sequins-per-square-inch.

If you looked up “fashion dandy” in the Met Gala dictionary, you’d findin this custom suit. Velvet tailcoat? Check. Striped trousers? Check. Calla lily boutonnière? Absolutely. It was romantic, theatrical, and unashamedly refined. A look with poetry sewn into every seam. A watch completed his look.

didn’t go viral this year, but her fashion credentials remain rock solid. Her tux with an embellished corset worn over the elegant overcoat was stylish, clever, and exactly on theme. And that hat? The cherry on top. Why weren’t there more hats this year?

Styled by Ahmad Alek.

Thom Browne proved once again that tailoring doesn’t mean restriction—it means reinvention. From ties turned into gowns to cummerbunds reimagined as couture, this label lineup was a brilliant finale to a Met Gala that championed the tailored form.

Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images / Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images / Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue / John Shearer/WireImage

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