Standout celebrity interpretations

Among the most talked-about appearances of the night was that of Zendaya, who arrived in a sculpted, midnight-blue ensemble that fused classic tailoring with avant-garde structure. The look, custom-designed to accentuate her silhouette, featured sharp lapels and a dramatic train, nodding to both traditional menswear and high fashion drama. Her choice exemplified the theme’s emphasis on personalisation, with subtle embroidery referencing her past red carpet moments.

Australian actor Jacob Elordi turned heads in a double-breasted ivory suit with exaggerated shoulders and a cinched waist, a modern twist on 1940s tailoring. The suit, crafted by a Melbourne-based designer, was paired with a sheer silk shirt and vintage brooch, blending masculine and feminine elements in a way that felt both bold and refined. His look was widely praised for its understated elegance and cultural nod to Australia’s own tailoring heritage.

Rihanna, never one to shy away from a statement, arrived fashionably late in a deconstructed tuxedo gown. The piece featured a crisp white shirt collar and cuffs peeking out from beneath layers of black satin and velvet, creating a silhouette that was both architectural and fluid. Her look was a powerful interpretation of the theme, merging streetwear influences with couture-level craftsmanship.

Timothée Chalamet embraced the theme with a playful yet polished outfit: a cropped blazer in deep burgundy velvet, paired with high-waisted trousers and a silk cravat. The ensemble, tailored to perfection, highlighted his flair for blending vintage aesthetics with contemporary edge. His choice of accessories—a single pearl earring and patent leather boots—added a touch of theatricality that resonated with the evening’s spirit.

Australian singer Troye Sivan opted for a minimalist approach, wearing a sleek, all-black suit with subtle asymmetrical detailing. The clean lines and impeccable fit spoke volumes about the power of restraint in tailoring. His look was a quiet standout, proving that personal style doesn’t always need to shout to be heard.

Each of these celebrities brought their own narrative to the red carpet, using tailoring as a canvas for self-expression. Whether through bold silhouettes, cultural references, or subtle detailing, their interpretations showcased the versatility and depth of the “Tailored for You” theme.

Designers behind the bespoke looks

Behind each meticulously crafted ensemble was a designer—or team of artisans—whose vision and technical prowess brought the “Tailored for You” theme to life. For Zendaya’s sculptural midnight-blue look, the creative force was none other than Law Roach in collaboration with a Parisian couture house known for its architectural silhouettes. The garment’s precise construction, from the sharply contoured lapels to the hand-stitched train, was the result of weeks of fittings and fabric experimentation, underscoring the importance of collaboration between muse and maker.

Jacob Elordi’s ivory suit was the handiwork of Australian designer Dion Lee, whose reputation for blending traditional tailoring with futuristic elements made him a natural choice. Lee incorporated subtle nods to Australian tailoring history, including a hand-finished interior lining featuring indigenous motifs, paying homage to the country’s rich cultural tapestry. The exaggerated shoulders and cinched waist were achieved through innovative pattern-making techniques, giving the suit a sculptural quality that balanced heritage with modernity.

Rihanna’s deconstructed tuxedo gown was a custom creation by Kerby Jean-Raymond of Pyer Moss, a designer celebrated for his ability to merge streetwear with high fashion. The piece was a masterclass in layering and texture, with each fabric—satin, velvet, and crisp cotton—chosen for its ability to drape and contrast. Jean-Raymond’s approach to tailoring is deeply narrative-driven, and Rihanna’s look was no exception, telling a story of rebellion, elegance, and cultural pride.

Timothée Chalamet’s velvet ensemble was designed by Haider Ackermann, whose signature lies in his ability to fuse romanticism with precision. The cropped blazer was cut from a rare silk-blend velvet sourced from a family-run mill in Lyon, France, while the high-waisted trousers were tailored to elongate the silhouette. Ackermann’s attention to proportion and texture allowed Chalamet’s look to feel both nostalgic and forward-thinking.

Troye Sivan’s minimalist black suit came from the atelier of Bianca Spender, a Sydney-based designer known for her clean lines and ethical production practices. The asymmetrical detailing was subtle but impactful, achieved through a single off-centre seam that ran from shoulder to hem. Spender’s commitment to sustainability was evident in the use of deadstock wool and natural dyes, aligning with a growing movement in Australian fashion toward conscious design.

These designers didn’t just create garments—they crafted identities. Through bespoke tailoring, they translated each celebrity’s persona into wearable art, proving that fashion at its highest level is as much about storytelling as it is about style.

Cultural influences on tailored fashion

Tailoring has long served as a medium through which cultural identity and heritage are expressed, and this year’s Met Gala theme brought that tradition to the forefront. Many of the evening’s standout looks drew inspiration from diasporic histories, ancestral craftsmanship, and regional aesthetics, weaving a global narrative into the seams of each garment. The result was a red carpet that felt not only stylish but deeply rooted in cultural storytelling.

Several attendees paid homage to African tailoring traditions, where sharp silhouettes and bold textiles have long been markers of status and artistry. Nigerian-British actor Damson Idris wore a custom agbada-inspired suit, reimagined in a sleek wool-silk blend with intricate hand embroidery along the lapels and cuffs. The look, designed by a Lagos-based atelier, fused traditional West African ceremonial wear with Western tailoring, creating a powerful statement on diasporic pride and modern masculinity.

Australian Indigenous model Magnolia Maymuru made a striking appearance in a tailored ensemble that incorporated Yolŋu patterns and natural fibres. Her outfit, designed in collaboration with First Nations artists and textile makers, featured a structured blazer with hand-painted motifs and a woven belt crafted from native grasses. The look was a celebration of Aboriginal craftsmanship and a reminder of the deep-rooted connection between land, identity, and dress.

Asian influences were also prominent, with several guests drawing from East Asian tailoring and textile traditions. Chinese-Australian actor Remy Hii wore a Mandarin-collared jacket in deep jade silk, embroidered with cloud and wave motifs symbolising resilience and harmony. The garment, tailored in Shanghai and finished in Sydney, was a nod to his bicultural heritage and the enduring elegance of Chinese formalwear.

Latin American tailoring traditions found expression in the look worn by Colombian singer Karol G, who arrived in a sharply tailored charro-inspired suit. The ensemble featured silver embroidery and a cropped bolero jacket, referencing the ornate suits worn by mariachi musicians. Her look, while modernised with a sheer blouse and stiletto boots, retained the spirit of celebration and cultural pride inherent in traditional Mexican dress.

Even within Western tailoring, cultural nuances were explored. Scottish actor Richard Madden wore a tartan-lined overcoat tailored in Edinburgh, subtly referencing his Highland roots. The coat’s interior featured a family crest embroidered in gold thread, a personal touch that elevated the garment from fashion to heirloom.

These culturally infused interpretations of tailoring underscored the theme’s deeper message: that fashion is not just about fit and fabric, but about identity, memory, and belonging. By incorporating elements from their heritage, these celebrities transformed the red carpet into a global tapestry of style, where every stitch told a story.

Standout celebrity interpretations

Zendaya made a triumphant return to the Met Gala red carpet after a five-year hiatus, delivering not one but two jaw-dropping looks. Her first ensemble, a dramatic Maison Margiela Artisanal gown by John Galliano, featured a sculptural silhouette in deep blue and green hues, accented with a feathered headpiece and bold makeup. Later in the evening, she surprised guests with a second look: a vintage Givenchy haute couture gown from the spring/summer 1996 collection, also designed by Galliano, paired with a towering floral bouquet headpiece by Philip Treacy. Both looks were masterclasses in theatrical tailoring and personal storytelling.

Colman Domingo brought a regal presence to the carpet in a custom Willy Chavarria suit, complete with a sweeping cape and gold embellishments. The actor’s look paid homage to Black dandyism, blending sharp tailoring with cultural pride. His ensemble was finished with a wide-brimmed hat and diamond brooch, underscoring the theme’s emphasis on individuality and heritage.

Gigi Hadid stunned in a Thom Browne creation that took over 13,500 hours to complete. The strapless white gown, adorned with hand-embroidered yellow roses and a dramatic train, was a nod to classic American tailoring reimagined through a couture lens. Her look balanced structure and softness, capturing the essence of “Tailored for You.”

Bad Bunny, one of the evening’s co-chairs, wore a custom Maison Margiela look by John Galliano, featuring a sharply tailored navy suit with exaggerated shoulders and a deconstructed corset detail. The Puerto Rican artist’s ensemble was a bold fusion of masculine and feminine codes, challenging traditional tailoring norms with avant-garde flair.

Nicole Kidman, representing Australian elegance, wore a custom Balenciaga gown in black velvet with a dramatic train and structured shoulders. The look was a nod to classic couture with a modern edge, showcasing how tailoring can be both timeless and forward-thinking. Her sleek styling and minimal accessories allowed the craftsmanship to shine.

Other standout interpretations included Tyla’s Balmain sand-sculpted dress, which was literally molded to her body, and Ayo Edebiri’s Loewe look, which played with proportion and texture in a way that felt both playful and precise. Each celebrity brought their own narrative to the theme, proving that tailoring is not just about fit—it’s about identity.

Designers behind the bespoke looks

Behind each unforgettable look on the Met Gala carpet stood a designer—or an entire atelier—who translated the theme into wearable art. John Galliano, whose fingerprints were all over the evening, led the charge with his Maison Margiela Artisanal creations. His work for Zendaya and Bad Bunny exemplified the house’s signature deconstruction and theatricality, blending historical references with razor-sharp tailoring. Galliano’s ability to sculpt fabric into narrative-driven silhouettes reaffirmed his status as a master of couture storytelling.

Thom Browne, known for his architectural approach to tailoring, delivered one of the night’s most technically ambitious pieces for Gigi Hadid. The gown, which took over 13,500 hours to complete, was crafted by a team of over 70 artisans. Browne’s interpretation of American tailoring through a romantic, almost surrealist lens, showcased the meticulous handwork and conceptual depth that define his brand. The yellow rose embroidery was not only a nod to femininity but also a subtle reference to the American South, adding layers of meaning to the garment.

Willy Chavarria, whose work often explores Chicano identity and queer culture, brought his signature oversized tailoring to Colman Domingo’s look. The custom suit, with its sweeping cape and gold detailing, was a powerful statement on Black elegance and masculinity. Chavarria’s commitment to social commentary through fashion made his collaboration with Domingo especially resonant, aligning perfectly with the exhibition’s focus on Black style and self-expression.

Balenciaga’s Demna took a more restrained approach for Nicole Kidman, crafting a gown that fused the house’s archival silhouettes with contemporary minimalism. The structured shoulders and elongated train were classic Balenciaga, while the plush black velvet added a sense of old-Hollywood glamour. Demna’s precision tailoring allowed the garment to speak volumes without excess, proving that simplicity, when executed flawlessly, can be just as impactful as extravagance.

Olivier Rousteing of Balmain pushed the boundaries of materiality with Tyla’s sand-moulded dress. The piece, which was sculpted directly onto her body, blurred the line between fashion and sculpture. Rousteing’s innovative use of texture and form challenged conventional tailoring, offering a literal interpretation of a garment tailored to the wearer—down to every curve and contour.

Jonathan Anderson of Loewe brought his signature wit and craftsmanship to Ayo Edebiri’s ensemble. Known for his playful manipulation of shape and fabric, Anderson created a look that was both cerebral and charming. The exaggerated proportions and unexpected textures highlighted the artistry behind tailoring, reminding us that precision doesn’t have to mean predictability.

These designers didn’t just dress celebrities—they collaborated with them to craft visual narratives that honoured the theme while pushing the boundaries of bespoke fashion. Each look was a testament to the power of tailoring as a form of personal and cultural expression, executed with the kind of detail and vision that defines true couture.