Why The Met Gala 2025 Is The Show That Must Go On

The Met Gala 2025 will take place—as it has since 1948—on the first Monday in May, with only a few exceptions, such as during the pandemic.

However, the event arrives under a cloud of heightened scrutiny, judgment, and backlash. Critics argue, “The timing is off.” In the face of economic, political, and societal challenges, some question the appropriateness of an event known for its lavishness, celebrity pageantry, and visual excess.

But perhaps that criticism misses the deeper purpose and enduring spirit of the Met Gala. The determination of Anna Wintour and this year’s co-hosts to move forward sends a powerful message: the show must go on. Their resolve honors the gala’s legacy and its evolution into a cultural touchstone.

This star-studded evening serves as a fundraiser for the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. What began as a modest midnight dinner with $50 tickets has evolved into a global spectacle, where a single ticket now costs $75,000. The gala marks the opening of the Institute’s annual exhibition, which remains open to the public through October.

Each year, the Met Gala’s theme invites personal interpretation and artistic risk. The red carpet becomes a stage for visual storytelling, self-expression, and ingenuity—instantly broadcast to millions online, inspiring imitation and dialogue in equal measure.

In a world of sweatpants and surrender, Anna Wintour reminds us that sometimes the most rebellious act is to dress up and show up.

This year’s theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, highlights the role of fashion in shaping Black identity. With a focus on Black Dandyism and its ties to the Atlantic diaspora, the exhibition explores how elegance and style have long served as tools of both power and resistance. The 2025 co-hosts—Colman Domingo, Pharrell Williams, Lewis Hamilton, and A$AP Rocky—along with honorary chair LeBron James, embody this theme with authenticity and influence.

The co-hosts personify that spirit. Colman Domingo’s presence is a celebration of visibility and excellence long overdue. Pharrell Williams, whose influence spans music, fashion, and culture, helped bring streetwear into couture. Lewis Hamilton breaks barriers in Formula One while championing diversity. A$AP Rocky’s fearless expression redefines masculinity and style. Each is not only a celebrity—but a symbol.

As millions tune in to livestream the red carpet, replicate the looks, and debate interpretations, the Met Gala does what it has always done best: reflect the moment while shaping the cultural conversation. And it does so at breakneck speed—where inspiration and imitation now unfold in near real time.

To cancel the Gala would be to misunderstand its deeper cultural role. The Met Gala has always been about more than clothes and cameras. It’s about storytelling, identity, and history—told through fashion and performance. It is this precise tension between spectacle and substance that makes it so resonant. And perhaps, now more than ever, the show must go on.

For marketers, brand leaders, and cultural commentators, this year’s gala offers a reminder of five core principles when navigating complex times:

1. Leadership Matters

Anna Wintour’s leadership and the diverse team behind her underscore the importance of conviction and continuity. This is about more than one night—it’s about preserving an institution.

2. Build a Sustainable Platform

The Met Gala is not a one-off spectacle. Its legacy is built over decades and sustained by consistent vision and thoughtful evolution. It took decades to attract the mix of celebrity and talent that covets an invitation and buys a ticket. The platform has adapted to the moment embracing media channels and formats to expand audiences reach and relevance.

3. Stay True To Values

In a moment where cultural values are in flux, staying grounded in your mission becomes even more critical. The Gala’s dedication to artistic expression and representation is essential to its identity.

4. Tough Times Demand Bold Vision

Yes, the Met Gala contrasts with the struggles many are facing—but that contrast doesn’t diminish its value. Rather, it offers a rare space for inspiration, escape and empowerment. While tariffs, inflation and recession overwhelm headlines, there is even more need to counter-program even if this is a seemingly absurd juxtaposition.

5. The Audience Is Still Watching

The Gala continues to captivate global attention. For brands, designers and artists, it remains an unmatched platform for visibility, impact and engagement. For a new designer or less known celebrity, the Met Gala has proven a make or break moment.

In a world marked by fragmentation and fatigue, the 2025 Met Gala chose to gather, to celebrate, and to provoke. It reminds us that art doesn’t retreat in crisis—it rises. In time, the 2025 Met Gala will be seen as a moment when Anna Wintour, the hosts, and the institution itself made the bold choice to carry on—and reminded the world that sometimes, especially in challenging times, the show must go on.