Keke Palmer had a clear vision for her 2025 Met Gala look, designed by Vera Wang. Above all, she wanted to honor Dorothy Dandridge, who made history in 1954 as the first Black woman nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for Carmen Jones.

“Much of the look was about celebrating Black dandyism and how it’s been used to shift narratives,” Palmer told Vogue. “I wanted to highlight someone who embodied that in media from the beginning—Dorothy Dandridge.”

Dandridge wasn’t just a groundbreaking actress (she also earned a Golden Globe nod for Porgy and Bess); she was a regular performer at iconic New York venues like the Apollo Theater and the Cotton Club. Yet she faced racism in Hollywood—losing roles to white actors in blackface and being denied leading parts opposite white actors—which led her to work with the NAACP and the National Urban League.

“After seeing Carmen Jones, I completely understood Keke’s fascination with her,” Wang said. “Dorothy represented a pivotal moment for Black success in Hollywood, and this tribute felt deeply authentic to both of us.”

Palmer wanted to blend Wang’s signature style with her homage to Dandridge, resulting in a feminine take on menswear—complete with lavish details. “From the start, it was a true meeting of the minds,” Wang noted.

The ensemble featured four pieces: a fitted ivory silk bodice with a lapel neckpiece, paired with sleek black tuxedo pants in Italian silk and wool. Over the pants, Palmer wore a dramatic ball skirt with a bubble hem, adorned with Swarovski crystals and glass pearls.

“Story-wise, it’s about a Black woman who used beauty and fashion to break barriers,” Palmer explained. “That, to me, is the essence of Black dandyism. We also played with tailoring, nodding to the classic tuxedo—mixing masculine and feminine energy, which I love.”

With Vera Wang’s help, Keke Palmer brought Old Hollywood glamour to the 2025 Met Gala.

See all the celebrity looks from the Met Gala 2025 red carpet.