Anna Wintour shares why the 2025 Met Gala is 'particularly meaningful and emotional'
The first Monday in May brings fashion's most iconic night: the Met Gala.
Known for dazzling couture and unforgettable moments on the red carpet, the Met Gala offers cultural commentary through the lens of fashion and design. And the 2025 Met Gala carries more meaning than ever -- at least, according to Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.
This year's theme, "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," spotlights Black designers, Black identity and the transformative power of fashion to tell untold stories.
In an interview with "Good Morning America" co-anchor Michael Strahan, which aired Monday, Wintour -- who has led the event since 1995 -- opened up about the emotional weight behind this year's gala and the meticulous planning that goes into it.
"Well, the final hours … the train has left the station," she joked. "There's not much more one can do except panic … which I do in spades."
Strahan noted that in dozens of the galas she has helped lead, Wintour has never seemed "panicked."
"Each one is very different," she replied. "And this one has been, I think, particularly meaningful and emotional and has a real heightened sense of purpose, because of the times that we're living in."
The accompanying exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, opening May 10, pays tribute to Black creatives and the art of menswear tailoring.
When asked about the evolving role of race in fashion, Wintour acknowledged that there's still much progress to be made.
"Obviously there's always more work to be done, Michael," she said, speaking candidly about the industry's responsibility. "And it's very aware that the Black fashion community needs to be supported as much as possible."
"What I'm hoping that this exhibition will do is really put a light on the talent of all these arbiters of style," she continued. "And look at their traditions and their history and their culture. But most importantly to me, in a way, is when I look at the show I see freedom. I see liberation. I see hope. I see respect. And I see joy."
This year's event also marks a historic first as all four co-chairs -- and one honorary chair -- are Black men.
Actor Colman Domingo, Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton, rapper A$AP Rocky, designer Pharrell Williams and NBA star LeBron James will help lead the night.
"Obviously the exhibition is recognizing Black designers and recognizing the joy and confidence and almost the liberation of dressing with confidence can mean to everybody," Wintour told Strahan. "So it felt very right to me to invite my wonderful co-chairs to be part of the night. Pharrell and Colman and Lewis and Rocky, they've all been on the phone, they've been up to see the exhibition, they want to represent being co-chairs for this exhibition to the fullest."
Wintour offered special praise for Domingo, who texted her a photo of his look in advance. Strahan shared that Domingo told him he "died" when Wintour called it "a work of art."
"It was his idea. It was a clever idea," Wintour said, praising the actor's vision.
While she hasn't seen every co-chairs' outfit just yet -- Wintour playfully hinted that Hamilton has not yet sent her a photo -- the fashion executive and event host expressed full confidence in her co-chairs' vision and style.
"I trust Lewis," she said. "Lewis totally knows what he's doing."
This year's dress code, "The Garden of Time: Tailored for You," ties directly into the exhibit's focus on menswear and celebrates individuality through the art of tailoring.
"We always try and honor the theme of the exhibition, and because the exhibition is really about men's tailoring, men's costumes, we felt that tailoring for you was a nod to the title of the exhibition, the content of the exhibition, the theme of the exhibition," Wintour explained. "It also left, hopefully, room for self-expression and individuality."
Wintour even gave a rare peek into her own outfit, revealing a collaboration with Williams that draws inspiration from the late designer Virgil Abloh.
"It's a combination of the reference to a creation that a design that Virgil made some years ago with Pharrell's reinterpretation," she shared.
As for who she's most excited to see on the red carpet, Wintour kept that a closely guarded secret.
"I can't possibly tell you who that is," she laughed. "We keep our guest list locked under key."
While it might seem like every last detail is meticulously planned, Wintour admitted that even in the final hours before the gala, some things remain up in the air.
"It's locked in, but you know, 'locked in' and 'happening' are very different things," she said in regards to the evening's entertainment.
Still, through all the chaos, her calm leadership, reverence for fashion and dedication to inclusivity continue to define the Met Gala's legacy.
"Culturally, it means a lot to someone like me," Strahan said.
"I'm very happy to hear that," Wintour replied.
The 2025 Met Gala takes place Monday. "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" opens to the public at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 10.
