I was not surprised when I learned that Janelle Monáe would be in attendance at the 2025 Met Gala, because the theme felt like it was pulled straight from Monáe’s brain.

For the latest exhibition at the Met’s Costume Institute, the curation centers around a theme of “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” an exploration of Black fashion from the 18th century through today, with a focus on suiting, menswear, and dandyism, as inspired by Monica L. Miller’s seminal book, Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.

To honor this theme, the dress code for the 2025 Met Gala was “Tailored for You,” and Monáe certainly understood the assignment, arriving in a illusory custom-made look from Thom Browne and Paul Tazewell, with dapper accessories that honored the spirit of the dandy.

Of course, throughout their career, Monáe has often embraced this aesthetic, sporting vermillion suits and structural, pyramid-shaped blazers on the red carpet, while also continually pushing the boundaries of gender, sexuality, and fashion in their music videos, stage performances, and more.

So when I told Monáe that I thought they were born to take part in this Met Gala, they seemed to agree. “I think this theme, Black dandyism, is just a part of my lived experience and of my DNA,” the actor and Grammy-nominated singer told Harper’s Bazaar in an interview ahead of fashion’s biggest night.

“Since the beginning of my career, I’ve been reflecting, and redefining what it means to be Black and to hold space for dandyism in fashion” Monáe said. “As I honor my ancestors and the people who built this country and the people who have poured into me—to go into rooms and transform them, and redefine again what it means to look a certain way, to dress a certain way, to act a certain way… I think that my freedom and my agency and what I do in these clothes is what makes it ‘superfine’ to me.”

Not only was Monáe honoring Black culture, but they were also attuned to the fact that this year’s Met Gala took place on May 5, AKA Cinco de Mayo. Keeping this in mind, Monáe teamed up with a somewhat unexpected partner—1800 Tequila—to craft an ethical diamond that considers the ripple effects of the diamond industry on Africa, while also honoring the Mexican holiday that falls on the first Monday in May this year.

The result was a dazzling bespoke brooch, the first of its kind, constructed from the liquor brand’s 1800 Cristalino and devised by celebrated jewelry designer Jonathan Raksha.

“Especially around this theme, it felt right—knowing the impact that traditional diamond mining has had on African nations,” Monáe said of the collaboration. “And so it was important to me that this piece reflected a more conscious and considered approach to luxury.” They added, “I love how 1800 has reimagined how diamonds can be made, and it takes a super future-focused vision and a dedication to pushing the boundaries of taste.”

Speaking of taste, when it came time for Monáe to walk the Met steps, they ended up wearing what was easily one of the standout ensembles of the night.

The Glass Onion star arrived in a blocky, building-like ensemble from Thom Browne x Paul Tazewell, styled by Alexandra Mandelkorn. The design was replete with mind-bending stripes in red, black, and white that featured pop art-style outlines resembling a form-fitting dress and handbag.

Turns out, this shell was a glimpse of what Monáe was wearing underneath, which was revealed when the “Water Slide” singer stripped off the top layer for a dramatic outfit change.

While modeling an eye-popping, mermaid-shaped dress and matching blazer, Monáe also showed off a black bowler hat that featured a monocle dangling in front of their left eye. For other accessories, Monáe sported a black wristwatch, loafers, and a striped tie that was pinned with that sparkling Raksha-designed brooch—all the perfect dandy touches.

“I always lead with purpose and intention and I think that’s what you’ll see on the carpet,” Monáe said leading up to the big night. “I’m such an art student and such a performance artist that if you give me a theme, my inner child is gonna be like, ‘We must play. What can we create? And how far can we push the boundaries?’”

When I asked what viewers should take away from the look, Monáe humorously left me with one answer: “They should take away that Janelle Monáe is a cinematic bitch, and loves to play, and loves to create walking cinema.”

SOURCE: HAPERS