When the first Monday in May rolls around, everyone is basically refreshing their feeds to see one person. Gigi Hadid. Honestly, she has become the unofficial queen of the Metropolitan Museum of Art steps. Since her debut in 2015, she hasn't missed a single year. That’s a decade of high-stakes fashion where one wrong move—a bad hemline or a boring silhouette—can turn a supermodel into a meme.
But Gigi doesn't really play it safe.
The thing about a Gigi Hadid Met Gala moment is that it’s never just about looking "pretty." People think she just shows up in a nice dress and calls it a day. That's a mistake. If you look closer at the math and the history behind her recent looks, specifically her 2024 and 2025 appearances, you realize she’s playing a much deeper game of fashion storytelling than most of her peers.
The 2024 Thom Browne Masterpiece: 13,500 Hours of Work
Let’s talk about the 2024 "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" theme. Gigi arrived in a custom Thom Browne gown that was, frankly, a structural marvel. It wasn't just a dress; it was a 3D garden.
Here is what most people missed: the sheer labor.
- 70 artisans worked on this single garment.
- It took 13,500 hours to complete by hand.
- The embroidery alone featured 2.8 million hand-sewn beads.
The gown was a white, off-the-shoulder corset piece with a massive, tiered skirt. It was covered in yellow 3D roses and green thorny vines. It looked heavy. Because it was. In fact, Gigi needed five handlers—dressed in Thom Browne suits, of course—to help her navigate the carpet.
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The dress subverted the idea of a traditional tuxedo by turning those tailored elements into a floral sculpture. It’s currently sitting in Thom Browne’s permanent archive, which tells you everything you need to know about its historical value. This wasn't a "loaner" dress. It was a piece of art meant to rot (metaphorically) in the garden of time.
Gigi Hadid Met Gala 2025: Why the "Off-Theme" Criticism was Wrong
The 2025 Met Gala, themed "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," sparked a lot of debate. When Gigi stepped out in a liquid gold Miu Miu gown with victory rolls in her hair, the internet did what the internet does. They complained. "It's not dandyism!" "She's off theme!"
They were wrong.
Working with stylist Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, Gigi wasn't just wearing gold; she was paying a specific, researched homage to Josephine Baker. Specifically, a 1951 Balmain gown that Baker wore. Baker was the first Black woman to star in a major motion picture (Siren of the Tropics, 1927).
The Josephine Baker Connection
By channeling Baker, Gigi was highlighting the intersection of Black excellence and Parisian couture. The look featured a drop-waist knot and a shimmering train that captured the 1940s "Victory Roll" hairstyle perfectly.
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- The Hair: Stylist Dimitris Giannetos used the 1940s aesthetic to bridge the gap between vintage Hollywood and the theme’s focus on identity and tailoring.
- The Intent: It wasn't about wearing a suit. It was about honoring the history of how Black performers influenced global fashion standards.
It’s easy to throw on a tuxedo and call it "Tailoring Black Style." It’s much harder to find a historical thread that connects a specific icon like Baker to the modern red carpet. That’s the nuance Gigi brings.
A Quick Trip Down Memory Lane
Before the gold and the roses, there was the red latex. You probably remember 2022. The theme was "Gilded Glamour," and while everyone else wore corsets and lace, Gigi showed up in a deep burgundy Versace catsuit and a puffer cape so large it probably had its own zip code.
That was a turning point. It showed she was willing to be uncomfortable for the sake of a silhouette.
Then there was 2018—"Heavenly Bodies." She wore a Versace gown designed to look like stained glass windows. It’s widely considered one of her top three looks. It was ethereal, delicate, and perfectly balanced.
What the "Gigi Formula" Really Is
If you're trying to figure out how she wins every year, it comes down to three things:
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- Extreme Craftsmanship: She chooses designers like Thom Browne or Donatella Versace who are willing to put thousands of man-hours into a single evening.
- Thematic Literacy: She doesn't just read the invite; she studies the history.
- Physical Commitment: Whether it's a 50-pound cape or a skirt that requires a five-man crew, she treats the carpet like a performance, not just a photo op.
Honestly, the Gigi Hadid Met Gala track record is basically a masterclass in how to stay relevant in an industry that moves at the speed of light. She doesn't chase trends. She creates "archival moments."
How to Apply the Gigi Energy to Your Own Style
You don't need a team of 70 tailors to elevate your look, but you can take a page out of her book.
- Focus on the Silhouette: Don't just look at the color of a garment. Look at how it changes your shape. Gigi often uses exaggerated hips or shoulders to create drama.
- Do Your Homework: If you're going to a themed event, go deeper than the first result on Google. Find a historical reference that means something to you.
- Invest in One Great Detail: You don't need 2.8 million beads. But one high-quality, hand-crafted accessory can make a basic outfit look like custom couture.
The next time you see her on those steps, look past the glam. Look at the seams. Look at the references. There's always a story hidden in the fabric.
To stay updated on future Met Gala themes and red carpet breakdowns, you can follow the official Met Museum announcements or track the designer-celebrity pairings that usually leak in early April. Keeping an eye on the Spring exhibition schedules is the best way to predict what stars like Gigi will bring to the carpet next.