If you've ever imagined Anna Wintour personally greenlighting every crystal, corset, and couture sleeve walking up the Met Gala steps, we've got the news: the Vogue queen is laughing at the thought.
"No," Wintour said with a chuckle when Good Morning America's Michael Strahan asked whether she approved of the outfits of the A-listers attending fashion's most exclusive night. "Many call and ask our advice, so we try to help some of them as best we can. Some, no idea."
© GC ImagesAnd yet, if you think that means she's out of the loop, think again. Ahead of tonight's Met Gala (May 5), themed "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," Wintour sat down with Strahan to dish out just enough tea to keep us guessing.
The 2025 dress code is titled "Tailored for You." In theory, every invitee should arrive in a custom ensemble nodding to the cultural richness of Black dandyism, a concept explored in Monica L. Miller's book Slaves to Fashion, which inspired this year's exhibit.
© Getty ImagesThat puts a stylish spotlight on co-chairs Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, and Wintour herself, with honorary chair LeBron James thrown in for that extra megawatt glow.
Colman's "Work of Art" Moment
Among her Met Gala crew, Colman Domingo has already earned the Wintour seal of approval. The "Four Seasons" star shared his outfit with Wintour and was so floored by her reaction ("a work of art") that he "died" on the spot.
© GC Images"It was his idea," Wintour confirmed, giving Colman full creative credit. "It was a clever idea."
Lewis Hamilton's Mysterious Fit
As for Lewis Hamilton? He's keeping his cards close to his chest. The F1 driver insists he hasn't sent Wintour a sneak peek yet. "Lewis, I'm not sure I entirely believe him," she said with a sly smile, "says he doesn't have a picture, but it's great."
"I trust Lewis. Lewis totally knows what he's doing," she said.
© AFP via Getty ImagesPharrell & Rocky: Tailored Talk
Pharrell and A$AP Rocky have both described their outfits to Wintour. "It sounds perfect," she assured.
© WireImageBut if you think access to the gala is only about the glam, think again.
What It Takes to Get In
Let's not forget that an invite is just the beginning. Attendees must either pay for a seat (last year: $75,000 a pop) or be someone's guest. A table costs a cool $350,000 minimum. Oh, and once you're in, no selfies are allowed. The "no cellphones" rule has been in place for years, though it's been violated almost as often as the theme.
And what about that 2024 whisper about celebs complaining about influencers invading their space? According to PEOPLE, that rumor was pure fiction. No such anti-influencer policy exists.
Wintour's Real Power Play
While she may not be dictating hem lengths or handpicking earrings, Anna Wintour's influence is stitched into the fabric of the Met Gala, just not in the way people think.
She curates the guest list with surgical precision, provides guidance when asked, and, more importantly, trusts her guests to rise to the occasion. As she told Strahan, some call, some don't. But in the end, it's their canvas.
© GC ImagesTonight, the world will watch as fashion, identity, and legacy walk up those iconic stairs, tailored to fit, tailored to stun, and, most importantly, tailored for them.
