This year’s Met Gala didn’t just celebrate fashion — it reframed it. Under the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” the 2025 red carpet gave space to silhouettes inspired by heritage, elegance, and self-definition. Gone were the glittery clichés; in their place stood ensembles that cut through the noise — sharp, poetic, and politically charged.

But one thing was missing: the bag. Though handbags rarely make it onto the Met Gala carpet (thanks to stylists prioritizing form over function), we couldn’t help but ask — what if they did? What accessories would echo these statements in leather and hardware?

Enter LOUIS VUITTON, HERMÈS, and DIOR — legacy brands that could’ve added texture, structure, and storytelling to the night’s most iconic looks.

To match that intensity, the HERMÈS Kelly Cut in Rouge H Shiny Alligator would have been a flawless complement. Its elongated, streamlined shape reflects her gown’s precision, while the burgundy hue deepens the red narrative without stealing focus. With an alligator finish that screams quiet wealth, the bag wouldn’t accessorize — it would amplify.

In Taylor’s hand, the Kelly Cut becomes more than an evening clutch. It’s an extension of her energy — elegant, dangerous, and fiercely deliberate.

Zendaya’s Minimalism, Reimagined with DIOR

Zendaya never disappoints, and her 2025 look was no exception. She broke tradition in an all-white LOUIS VUITTON three-piece suit — an ode to restraint and refined tailoring. While others leaned into extravagance, she whispered power through clean lines and a controlled silhouette.

The DIOR 30 Montaigne Avenue Bag in Box Calfskin would be her perfect match. With a structured body and pristine form, this bag mirrors her minimal aesthetic. The CD logo doesn’t demand attention; it suggests legacy with subtlety. Held in hand or tucked under her arm, it finishes her ensemble like a final sentence in a well-written speech.

In Zendaya’s world, luxury is precise — never excessive. And this bag would complete that language.

Janelle Monáe: Fashion as Concept, Accessory as Echo

Janelle Monáe transformed the Met stairs into her own performance space. Her THOM BROWNE creation — equal parts concept and couture — played with time, surrealism, and subverted structure. She doesn’t just wear fashion; she narrates it.

The LOUIS VUITTON Petite Malle in Black Epi Leather would have echoed her message perfectly. A tribute to the house’s storied luggage past, the Petite Malle brings a sense of history to the modern stage. Its rigid form, rich texture, and metallic details align seamlessly with Janelle’s theatrical vision.

More than a bag, it would serve as a prop — one that holds symbols, secrets, and stories. It’s not about function here. It’s about form and meaning.

From Clutch to Culture: How Bags Reflect Identity on the Red Carpet

At the Met Gala, fashion is more than clothing — it’s a declaration. And in that visual dialogue, handbags have long served as quiet storytellers. While they’re often left behind in favor of silhouette purity, their absence can be felt in the incomplete narratives walking the carpet. The right bag doesn’t just match — it mirrors identity, history, and intention.

Imagine a beaded clutch telling the story of diasporic artistry. Or a structured tote, crafted from repurposed materials, standing for sustainability in a sea of luxury. This piece explores how bags can extend the personal and political messages of red carpet looks — adding not just color or texture, but deeper meaning. Because in the right hands, an accessory becomes a voice.

When tailoring meets time travel.

Why Bags Still Belong — Even on the Met’s Carpet

While tradition often keeps handbags off the Met Gala red carpet, they deserve their moment. Because the right bag doesn’t distract from the look — it completes it. It transforms tailoring into a full vision. It punctuates a narrative without overwhelming it.

LOUIS VUITTON, HERMÈS, and DIOR know how to speak softly but powerfully. Their best pieces aren’t loud — they’re legendary. And when paired with couture, they become part of the conversation.

In a world where fashion often screams for attention, these bags would’ve whispered legacy, design, and conviction.

Final Word: Accessorizing the Icons

The Met Gala is more than a red carpet — it’s an evolving exhibit of culture and identity. This year’s looks were rich with meaning. And the imagined additions of luxury bags? They bring another layer of depth.

From the sharp elegance of the HERMÈS Kelly Cut to the thoughtful restraint of the DIOR 30 Montaigne Avenue, and the storytelling soul of the LOUIS VUITTON Petite Malle — these bags don’t need a spotlight to shine. They simply belong.