Gigi Hadid just turned 30, but she’s already a certified veteran of the Metropolitan Museum of Art steps. Honestly, appearing at her tenth Met Gala in 2025, she didn't just show up; she basically schooled everyone on how to actually handle a complex theme without being literal or, frankly, boring.
The 2025 theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, was inspired by Monica L. Miller’s book Slaves to Fashion. It focused heavily on Black dandyism and the history of Black men’s tailoring. While many attendees struggled to figure out how a woman—specifically a non-Black woman—should navigate that space respectfully, Gigi Hadid met gala 2025 was a masterclass in fashion history and intentionality.
She didn't just wear a pretty dress. She wore a story.
The Zelda Wynn Valdes Connection
Collaborating with her long-time friend and stylist Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, Gigi hit the red carpet in a custom, liquid-gold Miu Miu gown that felt like a fever dream of 1940s glamour. But the real "if you know, you know" moment was the designer she was actually honoring: Zelda Wynn Valdes.
If that name doesn't ring a bell, it should. Valdes was a legendary Black couturier who opened her own shop in Washington Heights back in 1948—the same year the very first Met Gala was held. Talk about a full-circle moment. She was the woman who defined the silhouettes of icons like Josephine Baker, Ella Fitzgerald, and Dorothy Dandridge.
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Gigi’s gown was specifically a recreation of a beaded gold piece worn by Josephine Baker in 1951. It featured:
- A shimmering, gem-encrusted halter neckline.
- Intricate 3D embellishments that caught every single camera flash.
- A drop-waist knot design that gave it a slightly futuristic yet vintage vibe.
- A long, flowing train that required some serious maneuvering on those steps.
"She took her training from her uncle's tailoring shop and brought that to the female form," Gigi told Vogue on the livestream. You could tell she actually did the homework. It wasn’t just a PR script; she seemed genuinely hyped about the craftsmanship.
Why the "Tailored for You" Dress Code Mattered
The official dress code was "Tailored for You." While many guys went for sharp suits (shoutout to co-chairs Colman Domingo and Lewis Hamilton), Gigi interpreted "tailoring" through the lens of construction and fit.
By choosing Miu Miu to execute a Valdes-inspired silhouette, she bridged the gap between historical Black excellence in tailoring and modern high fashion. It was a "safe" homage in some ways—she didn't try to co-opt an identity that wasn't hers—but it was deeply respectful. It highlighted a Black artisan who often gets left out of the mainstream "golden age of Hollywood" conversation.
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The Glam: Retro Pin Curls and Maybelline
The hair was a whole conversation on its own. Gigi ditched her recent bob (well, she hid it) for long, flowing waves and very specific victory roll pin curls at the front. It was very 1940s starlet.
Her makeup artist, Patrick Ta, kept things surprisingly grounded using only Maybelline products. It was a matte brown eye and a pinky-nude lip with a cocoa liner. Kinda crazy to think a look that expensive-looking involves the same mascara you can grab at a CVS, right?
The "Solo" Walk and the Bradley Cooper Rumors
Social media was basically on fire waiting to see if Bradley Cooper would make his red carpet debut with her. Spoiler: He didn't. Gigi walked the carpet solo, which is honestly becoming her signature move.
She had just hard-launched their relationship on Instagram a few days prior during her 30th birthday celebrations, so the "where is he?" questions were everywhere. But Gigi seems to treat the Met Gala as a business trip. She’s there to work the dress, talk to Anna Wintour, and represent the brand.
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What Most People Got Wrong About the Look
Some "keyboard critics" on X (formerly Twitter) initially called the look "prom-ish" or too simple. They totally missed the nuance.
When you look at the 2025 exhibit, it’s all about the "power of the suit" and the way Black people used clothing to claim space and dignity. By referencing Josephine Baker—the first Black woman to star in a major motion picture—Gigi was pointing toward that same reclamation of space.
It wasn't just a gold dress. It was a nod to the fact that "American Glamour" was built on the backs and the brilliance of Black designers like Valdes who rarely got the credit.
How to Style Like Gigi (Without the Miu Miu Price Tag)
If you're looking to channel that 1940s-meets-2025 energy, you don't need a custom gown. You can actually pull this off with a few key moves:
- Focus on the Halter: The halter neckline is having a massive comeback. Look for tops or dresses with a structured collar to mimic that "tailored" feel.
- The "Victory" Hair: Use a small barrel curling iron for the front sections of your hair. Pin them into rolls and spray the life out of them. It works even on shorter hair.
- Monochromatic Gold: Don't mix metals. If you're going gold, go all the way. Gold dress, gold earrings, bronze-toned makeup. It creates that "liquid" effect Gigi had.
- Brown Lip Liner is King: To get that 2025 "Superfine" look, use a liner two shades darker than your lipstick and blend inward.
The Gigi Hadid met gala 2025 appearance proved that you can be the "it girl" and still be a student of the game. It’s one thing to look pretty; it’s another thing to make people Google a 1940s dressmaker from Washington Heights. That's how you win the Met.
For those tracking her style evolution, your next move is to look into the Zelda Wynn Valdes archives. Understanding the history of the "Original Playboy Bunny Suit" designer gives you way more fashion cred than just following current trends. You might also want to check out the Guest in Residence latest drops, as Gigi has been spotted blending this "old Hollywood" vibe into her own cashmere line lately.