Janelle Monáe Creates Optical Illusion at Met Gala 2025 in Thom Browne

Janelle Monáe‘s Met Gala 2025 outfit was a custom Thom Browne look created in collaboration with costume designer Paul Tazewell, who is known for creating costumes on Broadway for “Hamilton,” “In the Heights” and “The Color Purple.” Her avant-garde look featured bold black with white pinstripes on one side, while the other was red with white geometric lines and patterns. The exaggerated shoulders and rectangular silhouette created a surreal, cartoonish effect.

“From the very beginning of the design process — exploring the beautiful and important theme of the Black dandy — it was essential that tailoring be front and center. With Janelle’s expansive imagination and Thom Browne’s meticulous attention to every detail, this collaboration is just the beginning,” Tazewell wrote on Instagram, celebrating Monáe’s look.

Monáe also wore a Vacheron Constantin luxury watch and jewelry by Selim Mouzannar.

Monáe was styled by Alexandra Mandelkorn, who also dressed Rachel Brosnahan for the event. Mandelkorn searched for inspiration in Black culture and fashion for the occasion, embracing the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”

“Dandyism is one of the many vibrant ways the Black community has created to channel self-expression and culture. A way to be loud and proud of who they are, and showcase the immense creativity they possess, even in the face of a society that has continuously oppressed them,” stylist Alexandra Mandelkorn told WWD via email. “My goal was to make sure both of my clients felt like their own personal fashion sensibilities were being showcased, while also centering the Black creatives we are working with.”

Mandelkorn worked to honor Black creatives at the event, including Tazewell. “They are all tailoring experts and are currently making Black history!”

“The Met Gala is our one chance a year to really dream our biggest fashion dreams. There are things you can do on the Met Gala carpet that would never read on another big red carpet, but at the Met, it’s celebrated. We help our clients synthesize their visions, emotions, current fashion goals and strategies and make sure we are making the most of Fashion’s Biggest Night,” Mandelkorn said.

The 2025 Met Gala, held Monday at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, features the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” The event highlights Black dandyism and menswear, with a “Tailored for You” dress code. Cochairs include Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams and Anna Wintour.