The 2025 Met Gala represents the pinnacle of the fashion world, and female athletes are celebrating their achievements as they ascend the stairs at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The theme for this year’s Met Gala honors the Costume Institute’s spring exhibit titled “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” This showcase draws inspiration from Monica L. Miller’s book published in 2009.
Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Artistry of Black Diasporic Identity
The official attire guideline is “Customized for You,” emphasizing the museum exhibit’s emphasis on suits and men’s clothing.
Although athletes have traditionally attended the prestigious charity gathering, their attendance has grown more pronounced over time. This year, Formula 1 racer Lewis Hamilton is co-chairing the event, alongside honorary chair LeBron James from the Los Angeles Lakers.
shared
that he can’t attend because of an injury from the NBA playoffs). Forward for the Chicago Sky
Angel Reese
, Olympic track star
Sha’Carri Richardson
and the world’s most adorned gymnast
Simone Biles
are also part of this year’s host committee.
Among the athletes attending the Met Gala for the first time this year are some notable names.
WNBA champions
Sabrina Ionescu
, Jonquel Jones, and
Breanna Stewart
, teammates from the
New York Liberty
They strolled the red carpet along with team owner Clara Wu Tsai.
coordinating looks
—that’s what we call true teamwork, reinvented!
Scroll down to witness some of your beloved athletes making a splash on the 2025 Met Gala red carpet.
Simone Biles
Eleven-time Olympic medalist
Simone Biles
wore a custom halter gown by Harbison with a train. “The Met Gala is about full-body storytelling—every detail matters. With a short, leg-forward gown like Simone’s, the skin needed to look as sculpted and refined as her makeup,” celebrity makeup artist
Ashley Stewart
tells
Women’s Health
She used only the fast-absorbing.
Murad Retinol Sculpting Body Treatment
That made Biles’ skin prepared for the flashbulbs. In the meantime, her hairstylist handled her hair.
K18 shampoo
,
hair mask
,
volume spray
, and
hair oil
to create a Josephine Baker-inspired soft, sculpted waves.
Angel Reese
The former
Women’s Health
cover star wore custom Thom Browne for her second Met Gala. “I’m all about normalizing that you can live both lives—you don’t have to just be an athlete,” she told
Business of Fashion
last year.
Reese prepped for the Met Gala using the
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Serum
,
Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Tint
,
Yummy Skin Glow Serum
, and
Blurring Balm Powder Flushed
, for a luminous base. Reese’s makeup artist set her Old Hollywood inspired look with the
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder
and
Setting Spray
“It drew from classic sophistication. My aim was to capture Old Hollywood glamour with a contemporary touch—flawless, radiant skin, a striking lipstick, and gentle glam that exuded strength and enduring style,” said Reese.
Marie Claire
.
Sha’Carri Richardson
The Olympian’s lace Valentino outfit drew inspiration from “Black power—specifically Black women power,” as she explained.
WWD
I aim to portray the strength of black women and demonstrate that there isn’t only one specific approach to being both powerful and feminine simultaneously.
Richardson, who was part of the organizing team for the yearly event, collaborated with makeup artist Kharisma Pari for her second appearance at the Met Gala. Inspired by classic Disney movies, Pari created a look featuring a glowing foundation paired with a striking smoky eye. “The makeup inspiration seamlessly blends with ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,’ incorporating layers of nostalgia, metamorphosis, and royal elegance—central motifs present in both,” she explained.
The Princess Diaries
and Lisa McDowell’s role in
Coming to America
“On a contemporary canvas of Black excellence and fashion,” states Pari. To create this appearance, she used the nearly $20 product.
Olay Super Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 30
for a flawless base. “It melts into Sha’Carri’s skin smoothly, immediately softened the appearance of her pores and fine lines, and even brightened the area. I typically look for in a product without leaving a white cast was the perfect product for this look,” Pari says.
Serena Williams
The 23-time Grand Slam winner amazed in a frosty blue dress featuring a cozy cape from Moncler x EE72 designed by Edward Enninful. She complemented the outfit with a striking puffer cape and diamond accessories.
Wyn Beauty
The founder showcased a more concise hairstyle, decorated with ornate silver barrettes that coordinate with her diamond earrings.
Venus Williams
Tennis icon
Venus Williams
She took her on-court style to the Met in a bespoke outfit from Lacoste. “This look merges the elements integral to both Venus’s journey and achievements with those synonymous with Lacoste’s legacy, then reimagines these aspects through the framework of classic tailoring,”
explained
The Lacoste creative director, Pelagia Kolotouros.
Williams’ hairstyle drew inspiration from René Lacoste’s moniker, “The Crocodile,” turning it into the emblematic logo of the brand. As hairstylist Araxi Lindsey explains, “My aim was to reinterpret crocodile skin via architectural styling while paying tribute to African American heritage.” For this particular style, Lindsey crafted cornrows using intricate braiding techniques.
Eco Style Braids & Beyond Range
That includes nourishing olive oil. “Given this year’s theme highlighting the exceptional tailoring associated with Black Dandyism, my collaborators and I opted for an updated take on cornrows to pay homage to our cultural legacy and fashion sense,” explains Lindsey in a statement.
Breanna Stewart
The forwards and their fellow players for the New York Liberty all sported
custom Sergio Hudson
“I’m genuinely thrilled about the girls embracing their complete journey and those dramatic, diva-style fashion moments,” Hudson said to the media.
New York
Times
“And so that everyone can witness these champions.” In her remarks, Stewart expressed great honor in wearing the ivory tuxedo paired with an intricately hand-embroidered blouse. She stated, “Tonight, wearing Sergio Hudson feels like celebrating both craftsmanship and cultural heritage simultaneously, and acknowledging the broader historical narrative prompted by this year’s theme.” She continued, “Honestly, that resonates deeply with how we approach things on the court as well. We come prepared with purpose, uphold tradition, yet mold it into something uniquely ours.”
Sabrina Ionescu
The Liberty guard, also in a Sergio Hudson bralette, jacket, and skirt, told the
Times
She was looking forward to meeting
Serena Williams
At her inaugural appearance at the Met Gala, she stated, “Since we usually wear uniforms when playing, I’m looking forward to showcasing some aspects of my personal identity.” Following the cleaning process, makeup artist Sabrina Rinaldi worked on Ionescu’s face.
Self Glow by James Reed face mask
for 15-20 minutes before applying other skincare products. Next, she layered the
James Read Sunrise to Sundown Tinted Tan Serum
with the
Endless Summer Gradual Tanner Lotion
across her entire body with a body brush to lightly exfoliate her skin.”
Jonquel Jones
In the 2024 WNBA Finals, the MVP shone brightly wearing a tailored double-breasted jacket from Sergio Hudson and a Hublot timepiece. She expressed her sentiments in a statement: “Being able to represent our team, women’s basketball, and all of our supporters at the Met Gala—the location of our historic achievement—is truly an honor.” Adding further, she stated, “I’m incredibly blessed to live authentically within this outfit that not only boosts my confidence but also challenges creative norms. This evening, I will join forces with Clara, Stewie, and Sab as fellow champions to demonstrate that female athletes rightfully command these cultural arenas.”
Gabby Thomas
Three-time Olympic gold medalist
Gabby Thomas
, who recently co-wrote
an op-ed for
WH
Regarding the influence of women in sports, Brought Fire made a striking appearance at the red carpet dressed in Ahluwalia. She used Charlotte Tilbury skincare products and cosmetics, featuring their latest offerings.
Lip Cheat Contour Duo in Tan
and
Big Lip Plumping Gloss in Nudegasm Diamonds
.
