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Every first Monday of May, fashion ascends into its most divine form, and at the 2025 Met Gala, hair reigned supreme. The red carpet became a theater of transformation, glamor, and tribute. From sculptural masterpieces to historical homages, the hairstyles this year were a spectacular reflection of individuality, heritage, and haute couture imagination. Below, we unravel the creative genius behind each show-stopping hairstyle and how the stars wore them like true crowns.
Zendaya in Vintage Glam

Returning to the Met Gala with not one but two dramatic looks, Zendaya was a vision of theatrical elegance. Her first ensemble featured a sculpted, low-swept updo beneath a towering ivory Philip Treacy hat. The hair was sleek, regal, and styled to support the exaggerated silhouette of her John Galliano gown.
Later, she surprised with a second look - a midnight-black corset dress paired with a dramatic headpiece, featuring a vine-like twist of branches and feathers. It was pure narrative magic, a cinematic transformation fit for the Met.
High Pony Style of Lupita Nyong’o

Never one to miss a moment, Lupita Nyong’o stunned in a hyper-sleek ponytail that served as the perfect foil for her architectural silver ensemble. But the real drama was at her brow line - encrusted with shimmering jewels that gave a futuristic edge to her classic beauty. The ponytail, polished to perfection, flowed with strength and elegance, commanding attention without competing with the bejeweled accents. It was power and poise wrapped into one breathtaking moment.
Simone Biles’s Tribute to Josephine Baker

Simone Biles turned the Met carpet into a stage, channeling 1920s icon Josephine Baker with a side-swept hairstyle that echoed flapper-era finger waves. The strands were styled in a slicked, high-shine pattern that evoked the vintage elegance of Harlem Renaissance nightlife. Paired with a cobalt blue, crystal-covered minidress and bold lashes, her coif was an embodiment of empowered femininity and historical reverence.
Doechii’s Voluminous Afro

Bold, beautiful, and unapologetically herself, Doechii flaunted her natural crown with a voluminous afro that made a powerful cultural statement. The coiffure radiated texture and body, emphasizing the beauty of coily hair in its fullest form. Teamed with a deep cherry lip and cheek stamps, her look leaned into Afrofuturism with a punk twist.
Teyana Taylor’s Rebel Look

If there was one moment that encapsulated cultural homage and high fashion, it was Teyana Taylor’s hair reveal. She arrived with a towering top hat, only to dramatically remove it later and showcase a silky durag with baby hairs styled into delicate swoops.
The durag, a staple of Black culture, became a centerpiece of elegance and pride. The edges were styled with precision, forming an ornate frame around her face. It was a bold statement about beauty, identity, and the elevation of everyday Black fashion staples into haute couture.
Tyla’s Blonde Pixie

Met newcomer and global pop sensation Tyla turned heads with a freshly debuted blonde pixie cut, styled in bouncy, vintage curls that gave off silver screen starlet energy. The platinum hue popped against her sand-sculpted Balmain dress, making her entire look feel like a golden sculpture. Her waves had a soft, brushed-out finish reminiscent of old Hollywood, and paired with custom Pandora diamonds, she shimmered with futuristic glamor.
Kiss-Curl Tendrils of Sydney Sweeney

Sydney Sweeney gave us a playful yet quintessential take on the 1920s with kiss-curl tendrils plastered across her forehead. Her hair was swept into a swirling bun in the back, creating a silhouette that was both whimsical and refined. The beaded Miu Miu gown she wore was the perfect companion to this throwback hair moment, invoking vintage starlet charm with contemporary cool.
Ego Nwodim’s Braids

Ego Nwodim reimagined millinery through hair itself, arriving in a gravity-defying braided fascinator. Her braids were meticulously shaped into a floral-esque structure, resembling a couture headpiece. The look felt like an architectural homage to both African hairstyling traditions and British high fashion. A hairstyle this ambitious could have overpowered the look, but Nwodim wore it with wit and regal ease.
Zigzag Style of Coco Jones

Coco Jones showed up with a coif that screamed rhythmic rebellion - a zigzag part etched sharply across her head, matched with an extra-long braid trailing down her back. The braid itself was interwoven with metallic thread and beads, turning a classic protective style into an editorial masterpiece. Her look blended heritage and high fashion with razor-sharp execution.
Gigi Hadid in Vintage Rolls

Gigi Hadid turned back the clock with luscious victory rolls that whispered 1940s film noir. The voluminous coils were perched perfectly above her ears, drawing attention to her sculpted cheekbones and fire-engine-red lips. Gigi didn’t just wear vintage - she embodied it, floating across the carpet like a siren from another era, modernized by Thom Browne’s edgy tailoring.
FAQs
1. Which celebrity had the most talked-about hairstyle at the 2025 Met Gala?
Zendaya stole the show with two iconic hairstyles. Her first featured a sculpted updo beneath a dramatic headpiece, while her second paired soft waves with a feathered crown.
2. Who debuted a major hair transformation at the 2025 Met Gala?
Tyla made headlines with her new platinum blonde pixie cut.
3. Were there any hairstyles that featured accessories?
Absolutely. From Zendaya’s feathered headpiece and Lupita’s crystal-studded brows to Tyla’s shimmering hair color and Coco Jones’ metallic-threaded braid, accessories played a crucial role in elevating these looks into wearable masterpieces.
4. Which hairstyle was the most avant-garde or editorial?
Ego Nwodim’s braided fascinator takes the prize for being the most editorial. Her braids were structured into a gravity-defying silhouette that resembled a couture hat.
References
https://www.glamour.com/story/zendaya-met-gala-look-2025
https://people.com/teyana-taylor-2025-met-gala-red-carpet-look-is-packed-with-symbolism-11720199
https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a64541718/gigi-hadid-stuns-met-gala-2025-outfit/
https://www.instyle.com/sydney-sweeney-met-gala-2025-11726846
How we reviewed this article:
Our experts continually monitor the fashion and beauty space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
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Current Version
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May 06, 2025
Written and Edited By -
Saloni Sachdeva is a lifestyle writer with 5+ years of experience in writing in the beauty and haircare industry.