Fashion’s biggest night, the annual Met Gala, unfolded last night on the first Monday in May, spotlighting the latest exhibition, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” With the gala’s dress code as “Tailored for You,” the event marked the first Met Gala since 2003 to focus exclusively on menswear, paying tribute to the grandeur and resilience of Black Dandyism. Despite the rainy weather in New York City, the red carpet was alive with superstars and top models, each offering their own distinctive interpretations on the theme. Some embodied it with precision, such as Ugbad in a custom Michael Kors suit, while Gigi Hadid’s Miu Miu frock drew inspiration from Zelda Wynn Valdes with a gown that reflected the designer’s mastery in shaping the female form.

But what exactly is Black Dandyism? It transcends mere aesthetics; it is a movement intricately woven into identity, power, and defiance. Curated by Andrew Bolton, this year’s exhibition was further enriched by guest curator Monica L. Miller, Professor of Africana Studies at Barnard College, whose 2009 book, Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity, informed the direction of the exhibit. Just before the red carpet was about to close, a radiant, newly pregnant Rihanna made her entrance in custom Marc Jacobs after skipping the gala last year. Other notable appearances included Anok Yai in Thom Browne, the face of this year’s Met Gala catalogue, Christian Latchman wore In 5000 Lab by Taylor Thompson, Tyson Beckford in Ralph Lauren, Paloma Elsesser in Ferragamo, and Alex Consani, making her Met Gala debut in Swarovski. Below, we take a closer look at our favorite looks from the red carpet.