Celebrities in Ozwald Boateng at the 2025 Met Gala

If you were waiting for more colour at 2025 Met Gala red carpet like a drumbeat through a street parade, Ozwald Boateng said: “Don’t worry, I got this.” The British-Ghanaian designer brought a full spectrum of style, heritage, and unapologetic dandyism to the steps of the Met, delivering a masterclass in what Tailored for You actually means. With the precision of Savile Row and the vibrancy of African design traditions, this lined up stood out for all the right reasons.

Purple reigns and fashion dandy dreams

If anyone was born to wear Ozwald Boateng, it’s Ncuti Gatwa. Exuding the spirit of the Harlem Renaissance and the sartorial soul of West Africa, his purple silk jacquard Kente cloth suit felt like a celebration of culture and craft. That lush texture practically glowed under the flashbulbs, and the black lavalier shirt added the kind of romantic detail only someone as confident as Ncuti could pull off. Thankfully, the white gloves remained in hand, not on them—no need to go full magician when you’re already working fashion magic. Jimmy Choo Foxley shoes completed his look.

Styled by Felicity Kay.

Umbrella in hand, majesty in motion

I love how Tems flipped the concept of a ball gown on its head in Ozwald Boateng. The puff skirt was a sculptural celebration in blue-to-teal jacquard, blending grandeur with groundedness. The contrasting green patterned bow was a clever nod to tradition, while her umbrella—practical in the evening’s rain—added a whimsical touch, giving us a second Mary Poppins-inspired moment. This was style with soul, elegance with edge, and easily one of the night’s true standouts.

Styled by Dunsin Wright.

Symbolism and sharp tailoring meet bold brights

Omar Sy delivered quiet strength and undeniable style in a deep green double-breasted Ozwald Boateng suit featuring the House’s Authenticity Adinkra symbol. Pairing it with a vibrant yellow shirt made for a bold contrast that not only felt right but felt rooted heritage. And the green shoes to match? A chef’s kiss to full-look commitment. This is how you do colour and culture with finesse. Pomellato earrings completed his look.

Styled by Karen Binns.

A king’s cloak and a fearless flourish

Burna Boy took the idea of the “statement tuxedo” and ran with it. His red Ozwald Boateng tux paired with a yellow shirt and a show-stopping oxblood eel skin cape gave us drama, decadence, and dandyism dialled to 100. Another pair of matching shoes, proves that one doesn’t always have to rely on the black. Jacob & Co. Caviar Tourbillon timepiece completed his look.

Gold rush

Henry Golding gave us gold, literally, in a rich silk jacquard three-piece suit embroidered with the Adinkra symbol. It shimmered with understated power, and while this could have tipped into opulence overload, the black shirt and shoes anchored the look perfectly. He could have gone safe with a pinstripe suit, but he knows we’ve seen that from him countless times before.

Mute

Jaden Smith is no stranger to a statement, but in a sea of bold colour and even bolder tailoring, his black Ozwald Boateng suit with a patterned cape felt like a very safe option. It’s stylish, yes, but we’ve seen him go further, be braver.

Slit decisions

Ayra Starr wore a tuxedo dress from Ozwald Boateng’s 2022 Black AI collection, and while the concept was compelling, the execution felt slightly off. The slit disrupted the sleek line of the silhouette—removing it could have elevated this into a major power moment. Still, there’s no denying the bones of the look were strong.

When fabric saves the day

Issa Rae’s black three-piece suit didn’t quite land with the same impact as her fellow Boateng stars, but what kept it from fading into the background was the delicious jacquard fabric. It gave texture, richness, and a touch of intrigue—just enough to keep us interested. Stuart Weitzman Nudist Shine sandals completed her look.

Styled by Wouri Vice.

Ozwald Boateng brought vibrance, heritage, and fearlessness to the 2025 Met Gala. While not every look soared equally, the collective energy of his vision lit up the carpet with colour and confidence. And in a year all about Superfine tailoring, this was a reminder that fashion doesn’t have to be muted to be refined.

Credit: Kevin Mazur/MG25/Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue / Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue / Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images / Michael Loccisano/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images / Savion Washington/Getty Images / BOSS

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