Met Gala 2025: How Thom Browne Used APM to Nail the Looks

How do you stand out on a night of fashion’s most extravagant night of the year? Well, just ask Thom Browne. The fashion house brought a star power squad onto the red carpet of the Met Gala 2025 and paired it with APM Music, understanding the assignment more than any other brand there.

One of the night’s biggest showstoppers, Janelle Monáe, made a technological statement with a Thom Browne ensemble featuring a motorized clock monocle (yes, it really moved). It perfectly blended tech with exquisite tailoring, totally nailing the night’s theme, “Tailored for You." Her look, captured in the reel below was set to the APM track "Crafty & Shifty". From the 2FM library, the quirky and campy feel of this track, with its plucky pizzicato strings, matched the whimsy and uniqueness of the look.

But the fashion house definitely didn’t stop there. Continuing the star-studded lineup, Thom Browne used the playful guitar track “Train to Budapest” (from the Bibliotheque library) to showcase the likes of Lorde, Whoopi Goldberg, Anok Yai, and Angel Reese in this reel.

The acoustic, almost comedic, sound of this track brought a fun feel to the clips, helping each look shine with personality.

Last but most definitely not least, film and TV powerhouses Walton Goggins, Demi Moore, and Tramell Tillman show off their outstanding looks in another reel to the tune of the 2FM track “Delicate Operation”. The cheekiness of this song was an excellent sync, fusing the trio’s glam looks and acting chops together.

With Talia Collis on direction and Ben Brunnemer on music supervision, these reels didn’t just recap the night – they told a story. A very stylish, very elegant, very Thom Browne story. And with the designer’s Met Gala Class of 2025 on full display, the message was clear: tailoring is personal, and fashion is anything but boring.

Co-chairing the event is no small feat, given that choosing the theme, hosting, fundraising, and promotion are among the responsibilities. This year's co-chairs included Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, and Pharrell Williams; with Lebron James as an honorary co-chair. The Met Gala's dress code, "Tailored for You," encouraged guests to interpret the theme through personalized tailoring – which, arguably, Thom Browne got down to a tee. This directive led to a night of unbridled self-expression, where individuality and cultural heritage were prominently displayed. From form-fitted gowns to slick suits, design creativity was at the forefront.

The night was capped off by performances from music industry titans Usher and Stevie Wonder, adding a touch of iconic music to the celebration of Black excellence and creativity. The Met Gala 2025 set an incredible new fundraising record, raising an impressive $31 million for the Costume Institute. This achievement underscores the event's significance in both the fashion industry and the broader cultural landscape. These funds are instrumental in helping the institute curate exhibitions, preserve its collections, and cover its operational expenses, so that we can all continue to enjoy what the Met has to offer.

The Met Gala 2025 proved to be more than a glamorous gathering of the fashion world’s elite or a pop culture purveyor’s dream. It was a deeply intentional homage to Black cultural innovation, historical resilience, and artistic mastery. Thom Browne did an excellent job of supporting this message with APM Music as the soundtrack. In a time when cultural and political tensions remain high, this year’s theme struck a resonant chord, using fashion to bridge past and present, personal and collective.

Dive deeper with these APM playlists:

• Art, Culture, & Fashion Playlist

• Classical Impressionist Era Highlights

• Music for Brands