It’s the first Monday in May which can mean only one thing: fashion’s one per cent are checked into The Mark Hotel, have spent hours in glam, and are now making their way up the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s grandiose steps for the Met Gala 2025 — and they are all wearing the most magnificent (and likely wackiest) outfits they will all year. No matter what you call it — the style Olympics, the sartorial Oscars or the fashionistas World Cup — the event, which originated as a simple high society dinner in 1948, is one of the most important evenings of the year for the industry. As ever, the epic charity fundraiser (which this year has raised a record-breaking $31 million, beating 2024’s total of $26 million) is tied to the opening of The Costume Institute’s headline fashion exhibition. For 2025 that is Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, based on Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book, Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. Invitations arrived with the dress code “Tailored for You", promising a night of impeccable suits, and a spotlight on Black designers. Guests will climb up steps surrounded by daffodils, on deep blue carpet covered in a daffodil print — all creatively directed by artist Cy Gavin. First to hit the deep blue carpeted steps, penned in by daffodils — the creative vision of artist Cy Gavin — are this year’s co-chairs. Joining Dame Anna Wintour, who hosts the event annually, are Pharrell Williams, Lewis Hamilton, Colman Domingo and A$AP Rocky, while basketball player Lebron James is an “honorary” co-chair. Wintour opted for an ivory dress with sapphire blue silk overcoat by Louis Vuitton, while Colman Domingo was a vision in a glittering Valentino cape and Boucheron jewellery. There are some notable faces missing from the steps this year. These include supermodel Naomi Campbell who, in a YouTube video she posted earlier this week, said the 2024 Met Gala would be her “final one”. A few hours before the event she squashed rumours she had not been invited, writing on Instagram: “I was so honored to be invited to tonight's big event, but regretfully cannot make it.” Also missing from proceedings will be one-time Met power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. The pair have said it is not due to Lively’s ongoing legal battle with It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni. A source told Us Weekly the move is not "out of character. She’s not a Kardashian that goes every year." Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham will also not attend the event. It comes after the couple missed David Beckham’s 50th birthday celebrations over the weekend amid rumours of a family feud.