When Amelia Gray Hamlin and her longtime stylist Danyul Brown heard about the 2025 Met Gala theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” the duo delved right into mood-boarding, Brown told WWD. “I actually did my dissertation on dandyism and Black dandyism and how the original dandies inspired today’s world. Amelia and I have been researching for months,” he said.

The result of the months-long research was a custom Valentino look, worn by Hamlin on Monday’s Met Gala red carpet. The model donned a red lace bodysuit with a cropped tuxedo jacket featuring a black bow accent. Her outfit also featured high-cut briefs, a red lace durag covering that transitioned into a train and black gloves for added drama. She completed with Pasquale Bruni jewelry.

“Black dandyism was flamboyant, daring, unique and individual to the Black community and culture and through that we wanted to go bold and take risks that we may not have taken before. For us, it was about honoring the era of the Black dandy and tailoring that to what felt right for Amelia’s aesthetic too. For me, my styling aesthetic has and will always been inspired by the dandy and Black dandyism so this has been an incredibly exciting theme for me to work with,” Brown said.

The stylist was inspired by Black tailoring and Black fashion icons, particularly the likes of André Leon Talley, Prince and Dapper Dan, as well as the fashion in the 1920s and 1930s Harlem in New York City.

“It means that we have been able to take elements of the theme and tailor it to the aesthetic that we aim to create through our everyday styling year-round. To be able to be yourself and celebrate that whilst honouring such a historic movement has been incredible to be a part of. We have had tons of fun with the looks this year,” the stylist said.

“The Met Gala is the biggest stage in fashion and for us, it’s our chance to show what we’re capable of and to showcase the art of styling on the world stage. Collaborating with designers through the months leading up to the Met is a thrilling and daring experience where we are able to take risks that we might not take at other events throughout the year. It’s exciting,” Brown said.

The 2025 Met Gala, held Monday at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, features the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” The event highlights Black dandyism and menswear, with a “Tailored for You” dress code. Cochairs include Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams and Anna Wintour.