Pop Culture Happy Hour – Episode Summary: The Met Gala 2025

Release Date: May 6, 2025
Host: Brittany Luce
Guests: Shelton Boyd Griffith (Culture Writer), Antoine Gregory (Editor in Chief of Black Fashion Fair)

1. Introduction

In this engaging episode of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour, host Brittany Luce, alongside guests Shelton Boyd Griffith and Antoine Gregory, delves into the highlights and lowlights of the Met Gala 2025. The discussion is rich with insights into fashion trends, celebrity choices, and the event's thematic significance.

2. Best Dressed Celebrities

Antoine Gregory kicks off the conversation by praising Teyana Taylor for her outstanding ensemble:

“I think from the shoes to the old to Harlem, about like, you know, the Harlem rose embroidered into her cape, like, that was absolutely incredible.” ([02:08])

Brittany Luce complements Antoine’s praise, highlighting Teyana's custom design collaboration with Ruth E. Carter:

“She loves where she's from. Every time she can tell you I'm from Harlem. She's going to show it. And I think that's... It's beautiful.” ([02:30])

Guillaume Job's look, crafted by Grace Wales Bonner, is another standout:

“I really, really love Tyler Mitchu's look... the white boa, the grills, the hair. At every point where he could get it right, he did across the board.” ([02:55])

Shelton Boyd Griffith surprises with his best dressed picks, spotlighting Tessa Thompson and Jeremy Pope:

“I really enjoyed Tessa Thompson and that proper look with the Andre Leon Talley, church fan.” ([03:37])
“For me, Jeremy Pope and the archival, like, Margiela, like, bodice sourced from ebay... it's a subversive way to take on tailoring.” ([04:58])

3. Worst Dressed Celebrities

Transitioning to the less glamorous side of the gala, Shelton Boyd Griffith names Miley Cyrus and Alaia as his top contenders for worst dressed:

“It felt so, like, disjointed... it just was not on theme.” ([13:00])

Antoine Gregory expresses disappointment with Colman Domingo's outfit:

“He just kind of came too safe. It was too safe.” ([13:37])

Brittany Luce criticizes the intricate yet mismatched design of Lisa Manobal's ensemble, which involved embroidered panties:

“Why is Rosa Parks face embroidered on your panties? Okay, what's going on?” ([16:53])

4. Met Gala Theme and Black Representation

The 2025 Met Gala’s theme, Super Fine Tailoring: Black Style, aimed to honor black fashion traditions, specifically Black dandyism. This theme encourages fine tailoring infused with flair and exuberance through elements like feathers, hats, and bold accessories.

Antoine Gregory reflects on the representation:

“We've seen the same amount of black celebrity on the carpet. It wasn't the influx of blackness that I would have hoped for.” ([08:17])

Shelton Boyd Griffith echoes this sentiment, noting the absence of many black designers from the red carpet despite their representation in the exhibition:

“They're still not enough, but, no, they're also not physically there.” ([08:32])

5. Queerness in Fashion at the Gala

Addressing listener inquiries, Brittany explores how queerness was manifested in the gala’s fashion:

Shelton Boyd Griffith highlights Jeremy O. Harris’s Balmain look:

“It was very... the hair kind of referenced, like, Ike Uday, from whose work is in the exhibition.” ([09:57])

Antoine Gregory adds that many celebrities inherently embody queerness in their style choices:

“I think so many of the celebrities live in that space of queerness. It's in their existence.” ([09:58])

6. Memorable Moments and Unique Awards

The guests introduce lighthearted awards to highlight standout moments:

• How She Got in That Car: Diana Ross is awarded for her 30-foot train ensemble, raising questions about practicality.

  “It's like, how did that fit?” ([17:56])

• Size Matters: Janelle Monae's oversized overcoat is celebrated for its grandeur.

  “It was... it was really cute. I actually really, really enjoyed that.” ([19:02])

7. Reflections on the Black Dandyism Exhibition

Post-gala, both guests share their thoughts on the Black Dandyism exhibition at the Met:

Antoine Gregory is moved by historical artifacts and their representation:

“We are so used to seeing images of ourselves that are not beautiful, that are not intentional. ... sitting in front of a painter for hours on end to get this really incredible image of yourself, how you see yourself.” ([19:35])

Shelton Boyd Griffith admires the portrayal of influential figures like Frederick Douglass:

“They had this mannequin that kind of, like, encompassed his body mass... the intention of, like, presenting it on this, like, this mannequin form.” ([20:17])

8. Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, Brittany Luce invites listeners to share their favorite Met Gala looks, fostering community engagement and ongoing conversation about fashion and representation.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Antoine Gregory on Teyana Taylor's Look:
  “[02:08] 'I think from the shoes to the old to Harlem, about like, you know, the Harlem rose embroidered into her cape, like, that was absolutely incredible.'”

• Shelton Boyd Griffith on Jeremy Pope's Ensemble:
  “[04:58] 'I was like, I love that it's sustainable, I love that it's vintage, but also like that it's a subversive way to take on tailoring.'”

• Brittany Luce on Lisa Manobal's Outfit:
  “[16:53] 'Why is Rosa Parks face embroidered on your panties? Okay, what's going on?'”

• Antoine Gregory on Black Representation:
  “[08:17] 'It wasn't the influx of blackness that I would have hoped for.'”

• Shelton Boyd Griffith on Queerness in Fashion:
  “[09:57] 'It was very... the hair kind of referenced, like, Ike Uday, from whose work is in the exhibition.'”

This comprehensive discussion not only reviews the standout fashion moments of the Met Gala 2025 but also critically examines themes of representation, queerness, and cultural homage within the high-profile event.