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Welcome back to Fashion Files With Karis Reneé! In this episode, your host Karis Reneé delves into all things Met Gala. Discover the history behind one of fashion's most anticipated nights, which occurs every first Monday in May. This year's theme celebrates Superfine: Tailoring of Black Style with a dress code of 'Tailored for You.' Karis Reneé provides insights on how the theme translates into fashion, spotlighting renowned designers like Thom Browne and Dapper Dan. Additionally, re-live iconic Met Gala moments featuring Rihanna, Zendaya, Beyoncé, and more. Tune in for a deep dive into black fashion, designers to watch, and what to expect at this year's gala.
00:00 Introduction to Fashion Files
00:44 Met Gala 2025 Theme and Dress Code
01:14 The Essence of Met Gala Fashion
03:47 History and Significance of the Met Gala
05:25 Iconic Met Gala Moments
10:55 Anticipated Designers and Styles
15:53 Spotlight on Black Designers
19:33 Sippin' Tea with Soul Chai
24:07 Style Spotlight and Conclusion
Join The Flame Society on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FLAMEFashionFiles
Sponsored by Soul Chai: https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=2532979&u=4527946&m=153430&urllink=&afftrack=
- Sarah
- Micaela Smith
Creators and Guests
What is Fashion Files?
Fashion Files is a captivating podcast hosted by Karis Reneé that delves into the glamorous world of fashion. Explore styling secrets, costume design insights, and red-carpet chronicles featuring both solo episodes and interviews with fashion industry experts. Each episode will inspire, entertain, and educate fashion enthusiasts.
18 Fashion Files - Met Gala
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Karis: [00:00:00] Welcome back to Fashion Files With Cares, Renee, I'm your host Cares Renee, and I'm so happy to have you here with us today. We are gonna be getting into All Things Met Gala, one of the most anticipated fashion nights of the year.
Okay? It always happens every year on the first Monday of May, and so we have it coming up, so let's talk about it.
this year's theme is super fine, tailoring black style, and the dress code is tailoring for you. So let's talk about what that actually means, right? So the theme is what is going to be [00:01:00] displayed in the actual MET Museum. And so you'll be able to see some of these beautiful art pieces that are featured in the museum.
And the, the dress code always somehow meets the theme. Okay? So when people show up to the MET Gala, they want to basically bring this theme to light, and it's a, it's a moment where you can actually wear art. So that's why you'll see these huge avant-garde moments that happen at the Met Gala, these huge.
Pieces that you're like, what are they wearing? You know what I mean? Because this is a moment to be able to wear some of that wearable art or things that you wouldn't necessarily wear every day, right? This is your chance to, to take a step out and do something different. So let's talk about this year's a little bit more deep and how people can translate this theme into the dress code.
Okay.
so tailored for you. What does that actually mean? That means that we're gonna be seeing a lot of things [00:02:00] that are literally tailored for you. So it's gonna be things that are going to be fitting people like a glove. It's gonna be that, those suiting moments, those. Beautiful craftsmanship pieces that are done by these designers that are tailored to a tee to fit this person.
So think about your things that you're gonna have, like these black tuxedo moments, um, things that are like three piece suits. And it's gonna be, I, I already know we're gonna see like some gender fluid fluidity going on there where you'll see some things that you may me . Not expect to see on somebody that is a masculine presenting or feminine presenting, and those things are gonna be kind of going crossing the bend, you know, and things like that.
So I can't wait to see. But the main thing is going to be highlighting black fashion. So I can't wait to see some of the black designers that I can only imagine are looking forward to it. Having this time to be able to have their [00:03:00] style and their designs highlighted because that is what is the, the beautiful thing, the Met Gala is the opportunity for the stylist or the designer to be able to go with whoever is wearing their look so that they can be highlighted and, so we always talk about how some of these stylists and even some designers don't always get the, get their flowers or get their shine, but the Met Gala is a place where they actually are part of the moment, and I love that for them.
be prepared to see some luxe black fashion moments that are going to be transcending between like that hip hop style and men's wear. Shout out to Dapper Dan, and we'll get into him a little bit later, but you'll be able to see some of those influences heavily tied into this year's theme in dress code.
Okay, so let's talk a little bit about the history of the MET Gala. So some of you guys, I'm sure don't even know, but it's actually a huge fundraiser. So even to get a table or a seat at [00:04:00] the Met Gala. These people have to pay a pretty hefty penny just to attend the Met Gala. I know that the invites of course, are super exclusive, but they still have to pay because it's a huge fundraiser.
It started in 1948 Thanks to the Eleanor Lambert, and of course we can't talk about the Met Gala without mentioning the. Anna Winter. Okay. She host this every year. She sends out the invites, and of course she attends and we always expect to see her with her beautiful bob and her beautiful sunglasses that she's super known for wearing.
Okay.
So some of the previous Met Gala themes were Heavenly Bodies Fashion, and the Catholic Imagination Camp Notes on fashion. That was one of my favorite ones. And China through The Looking Glass. My favorite look was Nicki Minaj.
Oh my God. Her look was so beautiful. She had this beautiful, um, [00:05:00] yellow dress that was like sculpture. It literally looked like she was wearing art, and it had these nice floral pieces that were added to the dress. Like, not like appliques, but literally like. 3D floral pieces that were sticking out from from the dress.
I loved her. She looked so beautiful and, and it's one of the things that that comes to mind when I first think about the MET Gala, but there have been so many iconic looks. So let's get into some of the iconic looks that we've seen throughout the years from the Met Gala.
Okay. So some other standout moments. Of course, everybody is always awaiting for Rihanna and to see what she's gonna wear to the Met Gala.
She is had a lot of iconic moments, but the one that we're gonna highlight the most is that beautiful. Yellow cape moment that she wore now. Yeah, it was given a little bit of a big bird, but big bird in the most beautiful, iconic way as only Rihanna could do, right? I mean, literally the [00:06:00] cape like covered.
The Red Met Gala stairs. Okay, so that was one moment that stood out. She's had a lot of other moments, especially since she's been dating asap. They both had moments. Now I'm not really the biggest fan of ASAP Rocky Style. Somebody is just not me, but Rihanna's moments. One time she wore like this black hooded moment, and it was like, um, not too long after the whole George Floyd thing happened, and so.
Being able to tie into that political moment was such a standout and iconic movie. It wasn't one of my favorite looks, but the reason behind why she did it, it made such so much sense. And if you know one thing about Rihanna, she is an activist, so she's going to use her voice to be able to stand up for what she believes in, even at the Met Gala.
I love that. I really do.
Another moment that a lot of people talked about was Zendaya, Cinderella, gown. It was a literally a gown that lit up, and that's one of the things that I love about the Met Gala [00:07:00] as well, they do a good job with adding technology in, in advancing technology within fashion.
And we'll talk a little bit about that later, but. This Cinderella gown that Zendaya wore was a great example of that. Like can you imagine walking down the Met Gala Steps, steps and your dresses lighting up? I mean, yeah, iconic, but we know Zendaya and you already know who style her for that. So no need to even talk about it.
Let me know in the comments. She used to used to hashtag fashion files, if you know who style her, 'cause I'm sure you already know, we don't even need to discuss. But yeah, that look was super iconic and the people loved it.
All right. Another moment that people still talk about till this day, who we gonna talk about? Who we talk about every episode. Y'all already know I. My girl, Beyonce . So she had a sheer moment, a sheer dress moment that has been recreated multiple times. We've seen other people that have worn similar things [00:08:00] at the Met Gala on the red carpet, and so that sheer dress moment that Beyonce did.
I can't remember what year it was, but if you're watching a YouTube, of course you'll be able to see a picture of it. But if you type in Beyonce, she met gala dress, it'll come up and you'll know exactly. And I think this was when Ty was styling her. I'm pretty sure that's who her stylist was at the time.
And so when she had this high side ponytail that everybody loved, and so yeah, that moment is talked about to the end of the day. Okay, so in addition to Beyonce. We know in newer modern days, we cannot leave Cardi out of the conversation. Cardi lives for fashion, so anytime she gets to show up and show out, she's gonna do just that.
We know who gets the credit for that as well. So again, tell me in the comments who that is. 'cause I know y'all know and use the hashtag fashion fower, but she's had so many moments. Let's talk about last year. Last year she wore this [00:09:00] beautiful . Tool dress, and she had the dress made in two different colors.
She had it in an green color and a black color. She ended up going with the black color for the Met Gala, but it was this oversized tool moment that had this beautiful train similar to like the Cape Gown that Rihanna wore, and this. Tied headpiece that was wrapped in tool as well. also been known for having multiple looks for the Met Gallo.
One year she wore two different looks, and so she started with one look and then she changed into another look. Both . Both were, you know what I mean? Like she just, she just doesn't miss and, and last year I think there were a couple celebrities that were like hiding behind umbrellas or like covered with like some fabric, so you couldn't see their look until they got to the steps.
And I think Cardi was one of them that was hiding behind umbrellas. And everybody was trying to figure out who, who was who. It was behind the umbrellas and. I'm pretty sure it was Carla Cardi, because I mean, she's [00:10:00] dramatic. She does big dramatic things. So who else? . Who else would that be? I love it. I live for her so much.
All right, so again, what can we expect from this year's MET Gala. Remember we talked about that? Gender bending. Gender fluidity. So some of the people [00:11:00] that have done a good job with that in the past are Billy Porter. Do y'all remember when Billy Porter went to the Met Gala and he had this beautiful tuxedo gown on, and the dress was like a Cinderella dress at the bottom.
Yeah, everybody was talking about that moment because it was so iconic. Janelle Monet is also another one that does a really good job at that. Okay. She had this moment. That is one of my favorite looks. Yes, it was pink, so that's probably why I liked it so much. But it was also so beautiful because it had like this beau big eye.
It was super graphic, and so it was like . Oversize. You know, she does the, you know, she'll do a lot of suiting as well, but it was a suited dress moment. I don't know how to explain it. 'cause it was just so different and it had these cutouts and she had this big top hat on. You just have to see it. Like, I, I, I just love that moment so much.
But I can imagine seeing similar things in this year's theme to those two [00:12:00] looks. Okay.
Another person who does a great job at that gender ::blending is Tiana Taylor. So I don't know if y'all remember the at gala that was kind of a a o to Carl Lakefield. Well, she wore a Tom Brown look.
That was . So put together, and it was totally her style. I love the look, but it was like a take on the suits that Carl used to wear, but in [00:13:00] a feminine way. And so it was a really good way to tie the two together. And I imagine that we'll be seeing some of that. I can't wait to see what she does this year because I know she's going and I can't wait to see the types of looks that, that she puts together this year.
so speaking of Tom Brown, let's get into some of the designers that we think that we may see showcase for this year's Met Gala, Tom Brown is number one. I just feel like that because of his design aesthetic. He we're gonna see him across the board. So many, but the way that he styles looks, or the way that he designs looks is so particular, you know, immediately that it's Tom Brown.
If you think about, I don't know if you guys saw the Grammys, but Doce just wore three different, Tom Brown looks at this past Grammys, and when I tell you I could see every single look that she wore. Being worn this year at the Met Gala. Of course it won't be, but some rendition of that is a good [00:14:00] example as to how he, the looks that he designs is just amazing.
Okay. In that same Met Gala that we talked about before with Tiana Taylor, he had so many people that showed up to that Met Gala wearing Tom Brown, like, and when you saw the photo, 'cause a lot of times the designer will take photos of all the people that are wearing their designs for the evening. And when you saw.
It literally looked like something out of a Maxine. They all looked amazing. Every single look was different, but so cohesive, like, ugh. It was literally one of my favorite Met gala, like, designer com compilations, because it just, it worked so well. Next up, I think another designer that we might see is Oswald boating. He does a really good job with tying back into that heritage, that black fashion that we talked about, but also tailoring. He dresses a lot of your fave like Idris Elba, Jamie Fox, [00:15:00] even Jay-Z. And so those beautiful suiting moments that you have seen, those.
Bold color suiting moments that you've seen. I think that those would translate so well into the Met Gala, and he can get some of your faves fitted really nicely in some of his designs.
Another person that does a great job of that is Grace Wells Bonner. And she is dressed some of the people that you know and love as well, but she does a good job with tying back into that heritage and I think that this will be a great moment to shine light on her designs and kind of elevate her design aesthetic.
For her to be able to dress somebody for the Met Gala. Now let me know in the comments who you think any of these designers should dress because I would love to hear your thoughts. Of course, I have ideas, but I'm just curious of who you think that that will look good in some of these designers. Um, looks okay.
Use the hashtag fashion vows.
I kind of hinted on this earlier, but we could not discuss a black fashion and tailoring style [00:16:00] without talking about Dapper Dan. The dapper Dan. Yes. He is a known for his tailored style and being able to transcend between street wear and luxury. Okay. He even has gone so far as to he is the person that actually kind of.
Started that whole, using logos on your apparel. He kind of started that wave. So much so that the community has given him an opportunity to be highlighted and pushed. People like Gucci to actually credit him for those things. That now he even has a collaboration with Gucci.
Okay, love that for us. But I can imagine, first of all, he better have an invite to the Met Gala. That's number one. Number two, I hope that some designers are gonna be collaborating with him so that he can give his interpretation of what he thinks this dress code and theme means, and he [00:17:00] can dress some of your faves as well, because I just feel like that Dapper Dance influence is.
So strong and has been strong for decades and that he has created what that kind of look and feel, especially for some of your favorite hip hop artists. And so any of those that are gonna be attending the Met Gala, I think that it would be a miss to not tap into his influence.
I also think that there's just a couple other black designers that should be highlighted this year, even if they've never done the Met Gala before. I just think that that this would be a good time to highlight them. So some of those are Pierre Moss. I just think that one, he knows how to make a statement.
We already know that. And so I don't know if he's done met Gala before, but if not, this would be a perfect time to introduce him. Also, I know y'all love and y'all love these, these tel far bags, but I think Tel Far Clemens would be a great addition as well. Figuring out how to collab with him with another designer, maybe even [00:18:00] a designer that
Specializes in tech. You know, he's done a lot of collabs with his bag, so I think this will be a great chance to highlight him as well as a black designer, you know, because why not? It's talking about black style. So this is the moment to, to make those standout moments with these new black, black designers and introducing them And of course Laquan Smith. Now Laquan Smith has probably definitely showed it the Met Gala, but he's done so well with his brand and just with his design aesthetic. Why wouldn't you utilize him? Somebody should definitely be wearing Laquan Smith, and I'm sure they will.
And somebody new and unexpected that I think that would be a great chance to get highlighted at the Met Gala Brandon Blackwood. Yeah, I know y'all love Brandon Blackwoods bags. Y'all know I love Brandon Blackwood. I love his bags. I have so many of them. But you also know that he also has moved into designing apparel as well.
He's dressed [00:19:00] Beyonce. A couple of times now. Okay. He was actually one of the first looks, if not the first look During the Renaissance World tour. Okay. So I think that he doesn't necessarily do tailored pieces. His pieces are more fluid, but I think he's up for the challenge.
I think he could get it done so, or like I said, he could collab with another designer and I think that Brandon would, I think he would love this moment. And I don't know if he's done met Gala, but even if he has, I think that this year would, would stand out even more.
All right. Y'all know what time it is? It is. Time to s sip some tea with Soul. Chai,
grab your tea and let's sip some tea. Literally and metaphorically. [00:20:00] Okay, so last year's Met Gala theme was a Garden of Time. Okay. And I did two mood boards for potential people that I would've loved to style that were gonna be attending the Met Gala or. Maybe would be attending the Met Gala and those two mood boards were for Coco Jones [00:21:00] and Beyonce.
Because if I ever get the opportunity to dress Beyonce, y'all think I'm not. I absolutely am going to. So I did a mood board for Beyonce that was like a floral inspired, inspired look, and kind of, uh, inspired by her iconic look that we talked about, but elevating it and making it a little more modern.
But I did this butterfly look for Cocoa Jones. And guess what? Y'all Cocoa did not attend the Met Gala. However, the Law Roach did something very similar. Like, well, let me not say very, no, I'm big up myself a little bit. Okay, because I was going, but I was about to try to mini minimalize it and no, I'm not gonna do that.
He did something very similar to the mood board look that I created. Now let me be clear. My look, my mood board that I came out was like a week before Met Gala. So he was not copying anything that I did law. Do not know who I am, or maybe he does, but [00:22:00] regardless of the fact that's not what I'm saying.
What I'm saying is that he was somehow inspired and we might have similar minds because he did a similar look for one of his clients that worked with . A designer that I also had pulled for my mood, mood board, which was Iris Van Herin, and created this tech moment with these butterfly pieces that moved on the gown.
And that is the same type of feel that I had for my butterfly cape. That I did for Coco Jones Mo, or [00:23:00] I was so shocked, like I could not believe it. I was like, okay, KIIS. That means that you are onto something and what you're doing and creating is very similar to what others are doing and creating, so you might be headed in the right path.
I was just so excited. Like I could not that believe that I was seeing something very similar to what I was, that I created come to life and like . Yeah, I really felt good. That moment was, was super inspiring. I loved it. And LA I love that looked, it looked beautiful. Uh, oh my God, that dress was so beautiful and it literally had [00:24:00] butterflies moving on the dress just like I imagined on the dress that I was designing for Cocoa Jones.
All right, so now it's time for my favorite part of the episode, the Style Spotlight. So today's style spotlight is somebody that I feel like that if you are interested in, like maybe you wanna dress from home similar to the Met Gala theme and you wanna do it at home, or you're just inspired by the dress code and the theme of the Met Gala.
So you wanna figure out how you can incorporate it in your wardrobe. This person is the one of the best people that you can follow that will help you to be able to figure out what that men's wear and that lux, and especially if you're a, a fem, a feminine woman, and you wanna figure out how to kind.
Create more masculine, um, filling outfits, but still be feminine ELA Holmes. Yeah. She knows how to do the [00:25:00] suit in such a beautiful way and a lot of the times, the pieces that she makes. She does a lot of DIYs. She does a lot of thrifting, she does a lot of vintage shopping, so it's . Things that are very accessible for you and that you can do or figure out how to make it work for your wardrobe as well.
So be sure to find her on Instagram. Her Instagram is B-E-N-G-E-L-A-H-O-L-M-E-S. That's ELA Holmes and you'll be inspired by her. And if you do follow her, be sure to tag us using the hashtag fashion files and let her know that we sent you. Now, if you have somebody that you think that we'll be inspired by, make sure you use the hashtag flame style spotlight and we might feature them on the upcoming episode.
that wraps up this episode all about the MET Gala. So tell me who you think will be best dressed this year for the Met Gala. I wanna know your thoughts, or what are some designers that you would love to see dressed to [00:26:00] some of your faves for this year's Met Gala? Be sure to use the hashtag fashion fouls.
And until next time, stay stylish and keep that flame burning bright. Bye. [00:27:00]