After a seven-year hiatus from the Met Gala, Catwoman star Halle Berry made a striking return to fashion’s most elite stage — and she didn’t come quietly. Her appearance at the 2025 Costume Institute Benefit, held on May 5 at New York City’s iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art, instantly ignited a firestorm of online reactions.
At 58, Berry stunned in a sheer, black-striped gown that left little to the imagination, commanding attention and sparking fierce debate. While some praised her fearless fashion choice as age-defying and empowering, others labeled the look “too much” for the occasion — proving that even after decades in the spotlight, Berry still knows how to make headlines.
Berry glided down the Met Gala’s signature blue floral carpet in a jaw-dropping black gown that left little room for subtlety. The floor-length showstopper featured daring sheer paneling framed by shimmering black stripes, creating a dramatic contrast that hugged her figure with precision. A plunging neckline added extra allure, while a fan-shaped train trailed behind her, adding theatrical flair to an already unforgettable entrance.
To balance the gown’s risqué elements, Berry layered it with a sharply tailored black blazer — a nod to classic sophistication. She finished the look with a glittering diamond statement necklace, bold cocktail rings, and a vintage-style fascinator adorned with a delicate mesh veil, adding a touch of old-Hollywood mystique to her modern ensemble.
Unsurprisingly, the look sent social media into a frenzy. While some applauded the 58-year-old star for embracing bold fashion with confidence and grace, others were more critical, calling the gown “too revealing” for the occasion. Whether celebrated or scrutinized, Berry’s return to the Met Gala made one thing clear: she hasn’t lost her edge — or her ability to own the spotlight.
On Instagram, reactions ranged from admiration to disapproval. One user praised her presence but critiqued the styling, writing, “She looks fabulous, but there are better ways to accentuate her figure without exposing the edges of the hedges.”
Another took a more critical tone: “She is beautiful, and she is Halle Berry. She does not need to wear something so vulgar.” A third commenter didn’t hold back, simply stating, “Nope! So not appropriate!”
Despite the divided opinions, Berry’s appearance undeniably achieved what the Met Gala thrives on — conversation, controversy, and couture that gets the world talking.
Over on Reddit, the criticism continued, with many users offering blunt takes on Berry’s bold fashion choice. “That is RISKY,” one commenter wrote flatly. Another speculated on Berry’s own comfort level, saying, “She looks so uncomfortable. She knows this is bad.”
The harshest critiques didn’t hold back: “Head to toe — absolutely not. This is the worst look of the night by far,” one user declared, while another took it a step further, calling it, “The worst thing she’s ever worn.”
Despite the backlash, Berry’s look undeniably stirred conversation — a hallmark of any headline-making Met Gala appearance.
On Facebook, the tone echoed much of the online sentiment — a mix of disappointment and disapproval. “Not appropriate. Shows too much,” one commenter wrote, summing up the feelings of many fans who felt Berry’s ensemble pushed the envelope a step too far.
From Instagram to Reddit to Facebook, the consensus was clear: Halle Berry’s Met Gala look was a major conversation starter — polarizing, provocative, and impossible to ignore.
Another disappointed fan added bluntly, “I never thought I’d refer to Halle Berry as trashy, but here you go. She doesn’t need to go to the gutter — she’s the it girl. I’m so disappointed in this distasteful outfit.”
The backlash underscores a recurring tension in celebrity fashion: the fine line between daring and divisive. For some, Berry’s look was a bold celebration of confidence at any age. For others, it crossed into uncomfortable territory, overshadowing her legacy of elegance and strength.
Regardless of where opinions landed, one thing is certain — after seven years away, Halle Berry made sure her Met Gala comeback wouldn’t be forgotten.
Following the public debut of her bold Met Gala look, Berry took to Instagram to offer fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse at her night. In a series of candid posts and videos, she showcased moments of glam prep, playful interactions with her team, and close-ups of the intricate details of her gown.
While the online response remained sharply divided, Berry’s social media presence suggested she stood confidently behind her fashion choice — sharing the experience not with apologies, but with pride.
In a lighthearted video shared to her Instagram account, Berry showed she was in on the conversation — and having fun with it. Dressed in a white bathrobe and oversized black sunglasses, the actress lip-synced to an old recording of her own voice: “Hi. You’ve reached Halle Berry. Sorry, I can’t get to the phone right now, but if you leave your name and number, I’ll get right back to you.”
As she closed the door with a wink, the video cut to her dramatic Met Gala transformation — sheer gown, diamond jewels, and all — set to an upbeat soundtrack. The caption? A cheeky, understated “…you rang?”
The post was classic Halle: confident, self-aware, and unbothered by the noise. Love it or hate it, her Met Gala return was more than just a fashion statement — it was a reminder that, even at 58, she’s still writing her own rules.
In another post, shared in collaboration with celebrity makeup artist Hung Vanngo, Berry offered fans an exclusive look at her glamorous prep for the Met Gala. The video took followers through the final stages of her transformation, showcasing the careful attention to detail in her skincare and makeup routine. Alongside the visuals, the post included credits for her talented glam team and the products that contributed to her flawless red carpet look.
Berry’s bold return to the Met Gala in 2025 was her first appearance since 2017. At that event, she turned heads in a striking sheer black one-shoulder gown, embellished with metallic floral details. The form-fitting outfit featured an illusion bodysuit base, layered with sculptural gold and black petals that cascaded dramatically down her legs, extending into a voluminous train. The intricate design showcased her high-fashion prowess, blending elegance with daring, avant-garde details — a stark contrast to the bold and revealing look she sported in 2025.
Berry’s 2017 Met Gala dress was a masterclass in craftsmanship and couture. The gown featured alternating panels of sheer mesh and black Japanese bugle bead embroidery, each element meticulously tailored to accentuate the Swordfish star’s sculpted silhouette. She elevated the look with a cropped tuxedo jacket and a dramatic netted veil, perfectly aligning with the evening’s theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style — a celebration of precision, identity, and cultural expression through fashion.
“She knows exactly who she is and has such a clear sense of style, but she’s also incredibly collaborative,” shared designer LaQuan Smith, who worked closely with Berry on the custom gown. “During the fittings, she wasn’t just stepping into a garment — she was shaping it with me.”
Smith credited Berry for guiding key design choices, pushing for cuts that enhanced movement while maintaining a striking balance between elegance and edge. The result was a gown that didn’t just reflect the night’s theme — it embodied it.
Berry, for her part, expressed deep appreciation for the creative partnership. “I’m just grateful to serve as a humble muse for LaQuan Smith, who answered the call for a bespoke gown befitting a powerful theme,” she said.
Together, their collaboration produced a look that was fearless, fashion-forward, and unmistakably Halle — a return not just to the Met Gala, but to the center of the style conversation.
Adding to the drama of her look, Berry adorned herself with exclusive pieces from Cartier’s High Jewellery collection, solidifying her presence as one of the evening’s most talked-about icons. She became the first person ever to wear the Cartier Tsagaan set — a breathtaking tribute to the Mongolian snow leopard, designed with bold geometry and refined symbolism.
The show-stopping necklace featured an intricately sculpted leopard face composed of 31.69 carats of diamonds and 3.74 carats of onyx — the result of over 1,136 hours of meticulous craftsmanship. Paired with matching earrings boasting 3.96 carats of diamonds and 0.4 carats of onyx, completed in 319 hours, the set radiated fierce elegance and timeless artistry.
With every angle of her ensemble — from the bespoke gown to the one-of-a-kind jewels — Berry’s return to the Met Gala was not only a fashion moment but a full-force statement of identity, legacy, and unapologetic glamour.
“When Lindsay [Flores, my stylist] and I were exploring options for tonight, we felt that the clean, geometric lines and the stark contrast of the onyx against the white gold and diamonds really lent themselves to the theme,” Berry shared, referencing the Cartier Tsagaan set that elevated her ensemble with an air of precision and power.
For Berry, every element — from the gown to the jewels — had to align with the night’s narrative. “Tailoring isn’t just about the dress,” she emphasized. “It’s about crafting a look from head to toe — every detail matters.”
Designer LaQuan Smith echoed that sentiment in a statement to People, revealing the deeper cultural influence behind the creation. “I’ve always been inspired by the essence of the Harlem Renaissance and this jazzy era,” he said. “There’s a rhythm, a sophistication, a confidence that comes through — and I wanted Halle’s look to embody that spirit.”
The final result wasn’t just fashion — it was storytelling, heritage, and audacity wrapped into one unforgettable return.
Smith further elaborated on his creative vision, drawing from both historical and stylistic influences. “For me, sharp tailoring and an exaggerated shoulder is what I’ve always been incorporating in my collections,” he explained. “I love the ’80s as well, and the fearlessness of Josephine Baker, so I think that you’re going to be able to get some of the essence of all of those notes through the design.”
The result was a look that merged modern power dressing with vintage glamour — bold shoulders, sleek lines, and statement accessories harmonizing in a tribute to timeless icons and forward-thinking fashion.
With her 2025 Met Gala return, Halle Berry didn’t just walk the carpet — she reclaimed it. Fearless, refined, and unapologetically herself, she reminded the world that style isn’t just about what you wear — it’s about how you wear it, and the story it tells.
To ensure her skin radiated as brilliantly as her high-shine Cartier jewelry, Berry prepped with a trusted arsenal from ALASTIN Skincare. Speaking to British Vogue, she shared, “The Met Gala is a long day, so today I prepared my skin with Alastin to keep my skin fresh and hydrated from morning glam to the evening events.”
Her glow was no accident. Berry spotlighted her go-to products — the HA Immerse Serum for deep hydration, the Eye Treatment to brighten and smooth, and the Restorative Neck Complex, emphasizing, “Skincare doesn’t stop at the chin.”
The result was a seamless fusion of meticulous prep and effortless elegance — proof that behind every head-turning Met Gala look is an equally refined beauty ritual.
Berry’s fashion-forward presence wasn’t just about spectacle — it was purposefully aligned with this year’s Met Gala theme, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion”, which also serves as the title of the Costume Institute’s spring 2025 exhibition. Her look paid homage to the artistry of tailoring, the heritage of Black style, and the enduring strength of femininity — all while reasserting her place as a fearless icon in the ever-evolving world of fashion.
This year’s Met Gala theme, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion”, draws inspiration from the Costume Institute’s spring 2025 exhibition — a sweeping cultural and historical exploration of Black style. Central to the exhibit is the legacy of dandyism, a movement that emerged in the 18th-century Atlantic world amid the forces of slavery, colonialism, and imperialism.
Black dandyism reimagined self-presentation by blending African and European fashion traditions, transforming clothing into a powerful form of resistance and identity. It offered new ways to navigate — and challenge — the societal constraints imposed by race, gender, class, and sexuality.
Berry’s Met Gala look, with its structured tailoring, bold elegance, and thoughtful symbolism, echoed this rich legacy. It was more than a fashion statement — it was a tribute to the resilience, creativity, and style that have long defined Black cultural expression.
Organized into 12 thematic sections — including Champion, Respectability, Heritage, Beauty, and Cosmopolitanism — the “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” exhibition examines how Black style has long served as a form of presence, dignity, and self-definition. It traces the ways in which fashion has been wielded not only as personal adornment but as cultural storytelling and resistance.
Set against this rich historical backdrop, the 2025 Met Gala wasn’t just a celebration of couture — it was a stage for bold fashion statements rooted in deeper narratives.
Halle Berry’s return to the Met steps after a seven-year hiatus aligned powerfully with this message. Her custom LaQuan Smith gown, layered with meaning and masterful construction, paired with exclusive Cartier High Jewellery and a deliberate beauty regimen, exemplified the theme’s call for self-expression grounded in history, identity, and intention.
More than just a red carpet moment, Berry’s appearance was a sartorial salute to legacy, a celebration of Black creativity, and a reminder that true style never fades — it evolves, reawakens, and reclaims its space.
While her look stirred divided opinions online, it undeniably captured the essence of the evening — one where fashion is more than aesthetics. It is storytelling. It is agency. It is cultural significance.
Halle Berry’s 2025 Met Gala return wasn’t just a comeback — it was a statement. A fearless fusion of past and present, elegance and edge, tradition and reinvention. In stepping back onto the Met steps, Berry reminded the world that style, when done with purpose, doesn’t just turn heads — it shifts conversations.