The Met Gala’s Theme: A Nod to Black Men in Fashion
Anna Wintour’s legacy with race resurfaced at the 2025 Met Gala, where the theme paid homage to the enduring influence of Black men in fashion. The event, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, featured a lineup of Black male co-hosts for the first time. Names like Pharrell Williams, A$AP Rocky, Colman Domingo, and Lewis Hamilton joined the stage. LeBron James was listed as an honorary co-chair but missed the event due to an injury.
The celebration aimed to highlight the sharp elegance and rich history of Black menswear. It reimagined celebrity fashion through the lens of the “Black dandy,” a timeless symbol of creativity and pride.
André Leon Talley: Honored, But Not Forgotten
Despite the tribute, the gala stirred deeper conversations. Vogue’s longtime editor-at-large, André Leon Talley, was honored posthumously. Talley broke barriers as the magazine’s first Black creative director. Yet, his relationship with Wintour was complicated.
They were close friends for decades. But in 2018, Wintour replaced him as Met Gala red carpet host with YouTuber Liza Koshy. Talley believed it was due to his age and appearance. “I think she thought I was too fat and too old,” he wrote in The Chiffon Trenches, his 2020 memoir. Though hurt, he remained grateful, saying, “I owe her much. And I think she owes me.”
Vogue’s Record With Race Under Scrutiny
While Wintour helped Talley rise, Vogue has faced years of criticism. Many readers and fashion insiders have pointed to the magazine’s frequent preference for white cover stars, staff, and stylists. Even its lighting choices for Black celebrities, like Zendaya and Simone Biles, have been called out for poor representation.
One of the most controversial moments came in 2008 when LeBron James appeared on the cover alongside Gisele Bündchen. Shot by Annie Leibovitz, the image drew backlash for resembling racist imagery. James appeared aggressive, mouth open wide, gripping a basketball and Gisele’s waist. Critics said it echoed King Kong stereotypes.
A Public Apology—But Has Change Followed?
In 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, Wintour sent an internal email to Vogue staff acknowledging the magazine’s failures. “We have made mistakes,” she wrote. “I take full responsibility.”
Despite the statement, doubts remain. Billy Porter, another trailblazing Black figure in fashion, claims he’s been banned from the Met Gala. He criticized Vogue for featuring Harry Styles—“a white and straight man”—as the first solo male on its cover. Porter believed that decision ignored queer Black pioneers who had long pushed gender boundaries in fashion.
A Tribute That Felt Incomplete
Wintour delivered a heartfelt speech after Talley’s death. “He taught me to speak fearlessly and to see from the heart,” she said. “I miss him in moments of sadness, but most of all, moments of joy.”
Still, many wonder whether the tribute came too late—or whether it truly reflected Talley’s legacy. A night meant to celebrate inclusion served instead as a mirror. It reflected not just the beauty of Black men in fashion but also the unresolved tensions beneath the surface.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Met Gala spotlighted Black creativity on a global stage. But Anna Wintour’s legacy with race remains complex. The event revealed a fashion world still reckoning with representation, history, and healing.his joy. But as she wrote, “He taught me to speak fearlessly and to see from the heart,” one wonders: is fashion finally ready to do the same?
Because behind the sparkle and spectacle, the first Monday in May revealed more than fabric and fantasy—it uncovered the threads of a deeper, unhealed story.
