All the secret outfit messages you may have missed at the Met Gala 2025 – including Lisa’s VERY controversial take

The annual Met Gala is known for pushing the boundaries of fashion with cutting-edge looks – but, as it returned once more for 2025, fans were quick to brand it ‘underwhelming’. 

Instead, as Hollywood’s A-listers returned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City once again this year, hidden messages were rather conveyed by subtle details nestled within their outfits. 

The Gala aimed to explore black dandyism from the 18th century to its revival during the Harlem Renaissance and its impact on fashion today with the theme ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’. 

The theme was inspired by a recent exhibition at the Metropolitan of Arts, featuring the idea of the ‘black dandy’, and was the first to focus solely on menswear since 2003. 

As celebs arrived, suited and booted, they were accused of ‘playing it safe’ – but a closer look revealed some very telling details. 

Some, such as Diana Ross and Lana Del Rey, chose to pay tribute to family members – with the former embroidering her family’s names on her cape, while the latter gave a sweet nod to her husband. 

However Blackpink’s Lisa and ASAP Rocky took a more controversial approach, with the hidden details in their ensembles sparking great backlash on the internet.

From those who embraced the theme with vigour to those who appeared to fall short, there was certainly more to the outfits on display than initially met the eye.  

Diana Ross 

HIDDEN DETAIL: Sweet tribute to family 

Having not attended the Met Gala for 22 years, Diana Ross’s return to the night of fashion was nothing short of spectacular. 

Diana last attended the Met Gala with Tom Ford in 2003 for the Gucci-sponsored affair. 

The 81-year-old music legend commanded attention – and space – as she ascended the Metropolitan Museum of Art staircase in a dramatic white look, blocking other guests from walking alongside her.

She hit fashion’s biggest night in a low-cut, floor-length, crystal-covered gown topped by a larger-than-life white cape with feather trim.

Hidden in the 18-foot train of the show-stopping gown was a very sweet tribute. 

According to an account from Bazaar, Diana’s cape was embroidered with the names of her five children and eight grandchildren in silver crystals 

Her 36-year-old son Evan Ross attended the gala with her, lagging closely behind to let his mom take the spotlight.

Ross accentuated her show-stopping look with dangling chandelier earrings and a glinting stone placed at the center of her forehead.

She looked typically beautiful with her visage fully made up in warm, rosy hues and finished with a matte, pink lipstick.

Lisa

HIDDEN DETAIL: Subtle embroidery

White Lotus star Lisa raised eyebrows for her 2025 Met Gala ensemble, as it appeared to feature the image of civil rights activist Rosa Parks on her lace undies.

In line with the theme, A-list guests were instructed to follow the dress code ‘Tailored For You,’ a nod to the menswear and suiting seen in the Costume Institute’s spring exhibit at the Met. 

However, Lisa’s all-black pantless ensemble led Met Gala viewers to question whether she had brushed up on the theme at all.

The K-pop superstar, who recently made her on-screen debut in the third season of HBO’s The White Lotus, wore a Louis Vuitton lace bodysuit under an embroidered blazer. 

Lisa, whose real name is Lalisa Manobal, accessorized the look with a set of LV logo-adorned tights and a monogrammed handbag.

But it was the elaborate embroidery featured on the Blackpink singer’s lace bodysuit, most visible in the panty area, that had caused quite a stir on social media.

According to British Vogue, a face resembling that of famous civil rights icon Rosa Parks was etched into the fabric, among others. 

The print was reportedly created by American artist Henry Taylor and depicts miniature portraits designed by Taylor, which were originally commissioned by Louis Vuitton creative director Pharrell Williams for his debut spring 2024 collection.

Rosa Parks became a face of the civil rights movement in the US in 1955 when she refused to give up her seat on the bus for a white passenger, in accordance with the Jim Crow Laws. 

The racist segregation laws designated different parts of public transport for white people and ‘colored’ people. However, it was expected that people of colour should give up their seats for white passengers when the white section of the bus had filled up.   

But Parks’s act of defiance sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott – a long-running protest by the black community in the city who refused to ride the bus.

It lasted for 381 days and eventually led to the desegregation of buses in the area. 

Despite the somewhat historical nod, Lisa’s Met Gala look still caused a stir on social media, where many people shared their utter shock at the fashion moment.

‘Rosa Parks on her panties……..’ one user wrote on X. ‘Rosa Parks embroidered panties… put Pharrell in jail expeditiously!!’ another person jokingly said.

A third user commented: ‘The fact she’s literally going to be inside at her table sitting on Rosa Parks face for an event unveiling a Black Style exhibition is beyond me.’

‘Using Rosa Parks’ image in this manner appears to be a blatant lack of respect and sensitivity towards her legacy and the struggles she faced during the Civil Rights Movement,’ someone else pointed out. 

‘Furthermore, it reinforces harmful racial stereotypes & undermines the progress made in combating racism. ‘I can’t believe this,’ one stunned user simply said.

‘The lace replicates elements of an artwork by the American artist Henry Taylor depicting portraits of figures who have been a part of the artist’s life,’ Louis Vuitton said, in a statement quoted in the New York Times. 

DailyMail.com previously contacted Lisa’s representatives for comment.

Lewis Hamilton

HIDDEN DETAIL: Symbolic jewellery

Lewis Hamilton was among the early British arrivals for the 2025 Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Benefit Gala on Monday, after acting as one of the co-chairs of this year’s event.

The British Formula One star, 40, put on a dapper display in a sharp white double-breasted suit and a matching beret as he posed up a storm on the blue carpet, which celebrated the launch of the museum’s annual spring exhibit.

Lewis was dressed in an eye catching white look adorned with boucle detailing, teamed with a matching beret with gold embellishment.

The Ferrari driver accessorised with a number of chunky rings and donned a pair of diamond stud earrings. 

Hamilton teamed up with Grace Wales Bonner for his 2025 look, in an outfit bursting with symbolism.

The designer told Vogue: ‘We brought together a range of influences, from Barkley L Hendricks paintings to Black spiritual dressing to some of the brand’s craft signatures. 

‘There are stories told through jewel adornments and special trims, with symbolism in baobab flower motifs and natural materials like cowrie shells and mother-of-pearl buttons.’

The designers also wanted to ensure Hamilton’s identity was represented in his look. 

For example, his sash was lined with cowrie shells, a protective talisman in African culture, while other jewellery items including his ear cuffs, cuff links and brooches contained garnets – a nod to his January birthstone. 

The cuff links too were shaped like a Whirligig African Daisy, which his stylist Eric McNeal told Vogue ‘felt like a beautiful metaphor for growth, memory, and African heritage’. 

Lana Del Rey

HIDDEN DETAIL: Tribute to husband  

Singer Lana Del Rey returned to the annual Met Gala for the fourth time, and while she didn’t bring along her new husband Jeremy Dufrene, she did give him a subtle honor.

The 39-year-old singer did share a smooching selfie with her 49-year-old alligator tour guide husband on Monday, but he did not attend the star-studded bash with her.

She was seen walking the red carpet with Valentino’s creative director Alessandro Michele on Monday.

The singer donned an elegant Valentino gown for the A-list ball, though she honored her hubby of over seven months with a subtle touch.

Her dark locks were styled with alligator clips that actually featured tiny alligators, a nod to his profession.

The couple tied the knot back in late September, on the same Louisiana bayou that Dufrene operates swamp boat tours, where they first met.

The ensemble consists of a black satin top with a sheer back with a large black bow on the shoulder and a drop waist that goes down to a brown satin flowing gown that billows all the way to the red carpet.

The gown is from Michele’s Valentino Vertigineux Haute Couture Collection and she accessorized with small circular silver earrings. 

This is the singer’s fourth time attending the exclusive A-list event, previously attending in 2012, 2018 and 2024.

Lana first shared a photo with Dufrene after taking one of his tours from Arthur’s Airboat Tours in Des Allemands, Louisiana back in 2019.

After their initial meeting, they reconnected earlier in 2024 before tying the knot in late September last year in what sources described as a ‘whirlwind’ romance.

 ‘It’s been kind of a whirlwind romance, but Lana’s close friends hoped she would get married,’ the source said.

‘Jeremy is different from the men that Lana meets in the entertainment world. He’s a great guy,’ the source added. 

‘He’s charming and charismatic in a Southern way, very much a gentleman and he treats Lana really well. She’s an old soul,’ the source continued.

Sydney Sweeney

HIDDEN DETAIL: Promo for upcoming film  

Sydney Sweeney arrived at the 2025 Met Gala, but her all-black ensemble caused a stir among fashion lovers for being ‘boring’ and ‘not on theme’ for the fashion event.

The Euphoria actress, 27, walked the blue carpet outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, where the annual event takes place every first Monday in May.

For the gala, Sweeney donned a custom black sequined Miu Miu gown. The dress featured a small train and short sleeves with fringe detailing, along with a cutout at her chest that was fastened by a golden flower.

She styled her hair in a chic slick-back bun and two twisted curls framing her face, opting for a sultry smoky eye makeup look.

The Anyone But You star’s outfit reportedly paid tribute to Hollywood icon Kim Novak, who famously starred in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 thriller Vertigo. 

Sweeney’s black ensemble appeared to be an homage to a similar black gown worn by Novak in 1967’s The Legend of Lylah Clare, as she posted a snap from the film to her Instagram Story before walking the Met Gala carpet.

Sweeney is set to portray Novak in the upcoming film Scandalous, directed by none other than Met Gala co-chair Colman Domingo. 

The film – which will mark Domingo’s directorial debut – will explore Novak’s 1950s romance with singer Sammy Davis Jr, and the scrutiny the interracial couple faced once their relationship was made public.

Despite Sweeney’s subtle historical nod in her Met Gala look, many fans and viewers declared her ensemble didn’t quite fit the theme, ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.’

On X, one user described Sweeney’s look as ‘flat and boring,’ adding: ‘Nothing of Dandyism about it.’

Another person wrote: ‘Did she even try.’

‘Boring and not on theme,’ a third person said, while someone else commented: ‘Pretty but the theme is where?’

Cardi B

HIDDEN DETAIL: New eye colour 

Rapper Cardi B, 32, looked stunning last night in a bright green Victorian-inspired outfit at the 2025 gala. 

The Grammy winner certainly turned heads in the bold velvet look in Burberry, styled by Law Roach, as she walked the carpet solo. 

Cardi had clearly gone all out – and had even added green coloured contacts to fit in with the rest of her look. 

The 2025 event marks the sixth time she has attended, first joining in 2018, when she walked the carpet while pregnant. 

Cardi filed for divorce from her husband Offset last July, and the former couple share three children together. 

Following her split from Offset last year, Cardi B has since been romantically linked to Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs – and she claimed that the rapper has tried to interfere with her love life. 

Cardi B and Offset tied the knot in 2017 during a private ceremony – but she filed for divorce for the third time from the rapper in July 2024.

In early 2018, cheating rumors surrounding Offset began to circulate, but the couple stayed together and announced they were expecting their first child together in April of that year.

However, five months after Kulture was born, Cardi B announced their split in December 2018.

The next year, the two reunited and in September 2020, she revealed that there could be ‘drama’ in their relationship while talking to Elle.

That same month, she filed for divorce – which was called off a few months later in November.

The estranged couple are also parents to three children: Kulture, six, Wave, three, and a baby girl born in September 2024.

In her divorce filing almost one year earlier, the star – whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Cephus – requested ‘primary custody’ of their children.

Zendaya

HIDDEN DETAIL: Movie parallel

Zendaya, 28, sporting her flashy engagement ring was dressed in white – a crisp Louis Vuitton suit she teamed with a matching wide-brimmed hat. 

But she soon stepped aside to let Diana Ross, 81, who was also wearing white, have her moment in the spotlight. 

However, both her outfits and her actions may have conveyed a hidden meaning. 

On the face of it, Zendaya’s suited look appeared deceptively simple. 

But her look could have been inspired by Ross’s classic 1975 film, Mahogany, where she plays Tracy, an aspiring fashion designer from New York.  

Their outfits are striking similar, both wearing stark white and adding a white-rimmed hat. 

And, if the parallel is true, it’s likely that their interaction on the red carpet was no coincidence. 

Zendaya was even praised for ‘saving’ the Met Gala – after a string of what many dubbed as ‘horrendous’ gowns. 

She looked absolutely stunning in a white three piece suit complete with single-breasted jacket, waistcoat, and flared trousers. 

The Euphoria star added to the ethereal look with a matching tie and massive stylish hat.

She accessorized with a flew platinum diamond encrusted rings on her fingers.

Her signature brunette tresses were tucked into her fashionable hat as she donned dramatic make-up including dark lip and smokey eye.

As Zendaya followed a parade of gowns which many trashed on social media, some fans took to X (formally Twitter) to bringing her fashion A-game while on theme.

One wrote: What we been waiting for [exhale emoji] zendaya you save every single event #MetGala’

Another said: ‘Zendaya said let me hurry and go save this mess. [laughing while crying emoji] #MetGala’

Many critic took to social media to blast some of the looks, primarily those who chose to wear gowns instead of tailored suits like many interpreted the theme to be.

Jenna Ortega 

HIDDEN DETAIL: Rulers

Jenna Ortega turned heads in her figure-hugging Met Gala metallic silver ensemble, which, from afar, appeared to be missing the theme. 

However, on closer inspection there appeared to be an interesting hidden detail to the show stopping ensemble, it was crafted entirely from metal rulers.

The Balmain gown, which was designed by Olivier Rousteing, featured sculpted vertical lines that emphasised the actresses silhouette, paying homage to the art of tailoring.

A statement from the brand read: ‘Jenna Ortega’s Balmain look is inspired by the art of tailoring tape and rulers.

‘A poetic ode to couture and craftsmanship, her sleek sheath dress is crafted entirely from the metallic rulers used by patternmakers, placed vertically along the body to enhance the silhouette by creating a bustier gown.’

Her styling included Old Hollywood-inspired waves, smokey grey eyeshadow, and a burgundy lip, complementing the gowns futuristic aesthetic.

A$AP Rocky

HIDDEN DETAIL: Gun umbrella

A$AP Rocky, who was serving as a co-chair of the Gala alongside Vogue’s Anna Wintour and Pharrell Williams, wore a custom ensemble from his design agency, AWGE.

The musical artist, 36, who has two children with singer Rihanna, 37, blended traditional tailoring with streetwear influences for the fashion event. 

His ensemble resembled a swanky black suit with a double-breasted parka inspired by Marmot jackets popular in Harlem.

However, it was his accessories that really got people talking, which included a 90-carat diamond gun umbrella, which some speculated referenced his recent legal case.

The ensemble came less than three months after the entertainer was found not guilty in court in Los Angeles of two of counts of felony assault with a semiautomatic firearm against a former associate.

‘A revolver handle umbrella after beating a gun case is diabolical,’ said one user of the rap artist, who was a co-chair for Monday’s event.

Another user said that ‘carrying an umbrella that also looks like a gun … very meaningful, you either get it or you don’t.’

One user said that ‘a revolver umbrella is next level dedication’ while another referred to the 2011 Rihanna track Man Down in relation to her beau, writing, ‘What Rihanna say? Just shot a man down!’

Damson Idris

HIDDEN DETAIL: Suit 

Damson Idris turned heads with his dramatic entrance at the 2025 Met Gala after he arrived in a full Formula 1 race suit and helmet.

While many thought he simply missed the mark of the nights ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’ theme, the hidden detail of his ensemble was revealed moments later.

The 33-year-old actor, who was born in Peckham, London, is set to star in blockbuster F1 later this year, which explains why he showed up in a racing suit and arrived in a APXGP racing car.

The red, white and blue racing helmet, which was inspired by the upcoming film, was adorned with 20,000 Swarovski crystals.

However the star later pulled off the racing suit to unveil a custom red plaid three-piece suit by Tommy Hilfiger, who he became a menswear ambassador for in April 2023.

The suit’s jacket featured one side of gold and red plaid, which is an updated take on the brand’s Tommy Tartan heritage check, which was created in 2000 and is listed on the official Scottish Register of Tartans.

The trousers included a side satin stripe and slight flare, a nod to ‘modern dandyism’ and the theme of this year’s Costume Institute exhibition.

Tommy Hilfiger said: ‘The Met is all about making a statement, and the reveal was everything: stepping out of the suit to unveil a sharp, tailored tuxedo in Tommy tartan — seamlessly shifting from high-octane to high fashion, from start line to spotlight, it captured the essence of both worlds.’

Teyana Taylor

HIDDEN DETAIL: Album nod 

Teyana Taylor made a statement at fashion’s biggest event in a pinstriped suit which featured a long satin cape.

The singer, who hosted Vogue’s live stream of the red carpet, arrived in the custom Marc Jacobs three-piece suit, which included some hidden symbolism.

The actress, who worked with Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter to create the tailor-made look, oozed confidence on the red carpet and she showed off her daring look.

However, there was a hidden feature that paid homage to her 2018 song Rose in Harlem and her connection to the Harlem neighbourhood.

Her flamboyant burgundy cape featured the words ‘Harlem Rose’ hand-stitched on the train.

The cape also featured large red flower on the right side and a smaller red flower on the left.

She completed the tailored look with red leather gloves, a red cane, a durag, and a fedora which featured a matching feather.

Venus Williams

HIDDEN DETAIL: Tennis skirt 

Venus Williams looked typically fashionable at this year’s Met Gala and it appears her ensemble gave a nod to her celebrated tennis career.

The athlete star donned a custom emerald green Lacoste tennis skirt and matching polo shirt as she walked the red carpet.

The pleated tennis skirt was traditional tennis length at the front, before dropping into an almost train-like length at the sides and back.

The ensemble, which designed by Lacoste’s creative director, Pelagia Kolotouros, also featured a flamboyant long cape which featured feathers.

The seven-time major singles winner meshed the world of tennis with high fashion in the iconic design.

The five-time Wimbledon champion completed the look with scalloped heels that were a fusion between trainers and loafers.

“Dressing Venus Williams was a profound privilege. She is a trailblazer: a tennis legend, a fashion icon, and a powerful voice for women,” Kolotouros told WWD.

‘With this look, we brought together the tennis codes that are central to Venus’s life and career, and to Lacoste’s heritage, and reconstructed them through the lens of traditional tailoring.’

Venus became a brand ambassador for Lacoste back in 2022 and has since worked on a number of collaborations with the label.