The 2025 Met Gala theme was “Extreme Sophistication: Black Tailoring,” an ambitious one that honored the legacy of black fashion, dandyism, and sartorial rebellion. With co-chairs Colman Domingo, A$AP Rocky, Lewis Hamilton, and Pharrell Williams, and high-profile appearances by designers like Laquan Smith and Grace Wells Bonner, the gala seemed set to shine a spotlight on the culture-shaping work of black designers. However, one notable absence came as a surprise to fashion lovers and cultural critics alike: Telfar Clemens.
The designer, known for his radically inclusive ethos and his cult Telfar shopping bag, did not attend the Met Gala this year—and he made it clear it wasn’t due to a scheduling conflict. Clemens posted a short video to the brand’s Instagram, in which he briefly introduced himself to the camera before firmly stating, “I am not attending the Met Gala.” The rest of the video captures street protests outside the event, with activists publicly denouncing what they see as the hypocritical message of the gala.
“There can be no Black liberation without Palestinian liberation,” one protester said. “They are appropriating Black gifts and our Black art,” another added.
Clemens’ absence — and his choice of a protest-themed response — sharply criticized how certain events tokenize Black creatives while failing to support real systemic change. While the theme may have promised to celebrate Black fashion, and many were very pleased with the night’s outcome, Clemens’ video suggested otherwise.
By refusing to attend, Clemens sparked a conversation about who will benefit from Black style and at what cost.