Anna Wintour Explains How André Leon Talley Inspired Met Gala 2025 Theme 3 Years After His Death

Watch:How Met Gala 2025 Made History Hours Before Event

Anna Wintour is remembering André Leon Talley at the Met Gala 2025. 

The Vogue editor, who helped plan fashion’s biggest night at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, detailed how the evening’s “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme and its coordinating dress code Tailored for You, pay homage to her late friend. 

“I just hope that people see the exhibition and understand the talent that is involved in putting it together,” Wintour told E!’s Zuri Hall at the Met Gala 2025. “And the incredible designers that we’re putting a spotlight on in the show. And the people who have influenced the show like my friend André Leon Talley, who’s been such an inspiration throughout.”

As she put it in the exhibition—which will be displayed at the New York museum from May 10 to October 26, “It’s about optimism and hope and community. I hope that many, many people come and see it.” (See every star who came out to see it at the Met Gala 2025 here.)

And Wintour emphasized that this year’s theme, which is the Met Gala’s first time focusing exclusively on menswear since 2003, was planned “several years ago.”

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“We were in a different political climate,” she explained. “But I think it has taken on a sense of purpose and a sense of urgency.”

She gushed, “The whole exhibition has been very moving and very special to me.” (See a peek into the exhibition here.)

Of course, Wintour and Talley were close friends and colleagues prior to the fashion icon’s tragic death in 2022. At the time, notable members of the fashion community, including Wintour, mourned the loss of a true icon in their industry. 

David Fisher/Shutterstock

“It’s the loss of André as my colleague and friend that I think of now,” Wintour penned in an obituary for Talley in 2022. “It’s immeasurable. He was magnificent and erudite and wickedly funny—mercurial, too. Like many decades-long relationships, there were complicated moments, but all I want to remember today, all I care about, is the brilliant and compassionate man who was a generous and loving friend to me and to my family for many, many years, and who we will all miss so much.”

Keep reading to see Talley’s talent honored in all of the Met Gala attendees’ looks…. 

Rihanna

In custom Marc Jacobs.

A$AP Rocky

In custom Awge, Bvlgari jewelry and Briony Raymond umbrella.

Zendaya

In custom Louis Vuitton.

Serena Williams

In custom Moncler x EE72 by Edward Enninful and Fred Leighton jewelry.

Kim Kardashian

In custom Chrome Hearts.

Halle Berry

In LaQuan Smith.

Sabrina Carpenter

In custom Louis Vuitton.

Colman Domingo

In Valentino with Boucheron jewelry.

Kylie Jenner

In custom Ferragamo.

Cardi B

In Burberry.

Hailey Bieber

In custom Saint Laurent and Tiffany & Co. jewelry.

Cynthia Erivo

In custom Givenchy.

Kendall Jenner

In Torishéju.

Gigi Hadid

In custom Miu Miu.

Sydney Sweeney

In custom Miu Miu.

Zoe Saldaña

In Thom Browne.

Callum Turner & Dua Lipa

In custom Chanel.

Miley Cyrus

In Alaïa.

Shakira

In custom Prabal Gurung.

Nicole Kidman

In custom Balenciaga Couture and Wolford tights.

Chappell Roan

In a custom look sourced by Paul Tazewell. 

Megan Thee Stallion

In custom Michael Kors Collection and Stuart Weitzman shoes.

Pamela Anderson

In Tory Burch.

Halle Bailey

In Coach.

Charli XCX

In custom Ann Demeulemeester.

Doja Cat

In custom Marc Jacobs and Wolford tights.

Anne Hathaway

In Carolina Herrera.

Diana Ross

In Ugo Mozie.

Lorde

In Thom Browne.

Demi Moore

In custom Thom Browne.

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