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May 2, 2025

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

	By Callie Holtermann

Hi, Open Thread. The Los Angeles Lakers’ season ended with a 103-96 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.

No, you haven’t opened the wrong newsletter. This matters to the fashion world because it frees up the schedule of LeBron James, a Laker who happens to be the honorary chair of the Met Gala on Monday. His attendance, once a question mark, now looks a lot more likely.

The Styles desk has plenty for you read in preparation for the event (and more coming, including a live blog that will begin on Monday afternoon). Also, my colleague Vanessa Friedman published a look back at the optics of President Trump’s administration during his first 100 days in office. There’s image-making strategy, she writes, behind those red ties, cross necklaces and the occasional chain saw.

Have a good, safe weekend.

THE PARTY OF THE YEAR

Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet for The New York Times LeBron James, ASAP Rocky and Everything You Need to Know About the 2025 Met Gala The co-hosts! The ticket prices! The dress code! A guide to the party of the year. By Vanessa Friedman

The New York Times Black Style, Made to Measure The Met’s new fashion exhibition is about “Tailoring Black Style.” For these working craftspeople, that’s basically a job description. By Tariro Mzezewa

Andre D. Wagner for The New York Times America’s Premier Living Dandy Doesn’t Want the Title The artist Iké Udé understands the power of rejecting labels. By Rhonda Garelick

Photographs by Vincent Tullo for The New York Times Black Dandyism in the Spotlight: 7 Pieces of Fashion History The guest curator of a new Met exhibition on Black style offers an annotated early look at a Dapper Dan jacket, André Leon Talley’s luggage and more. By Callie Holtermann and Vincent Tullo

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IN THE NEWS

100 Days of Trump Style In this administration, looking the part is crucial to playing the part. By Vanessa Friedman

How a U.S. Tax Loophole Supercharged China’s Exports E-commerce trade in small parcels brought Chinese factories to American shoppers. Tariffs are severing the connection. By Meaghan Tobin and Qilai Shen

A Hot Accessory, at the Intersection of Faith and Culture Seen on influencers, pop stars and White House staff, cross necklaces are popping up everywhere. By Misty White Sidell

James Hill for The New York Times Trump’s Blue Suit at Pope’s Funeral Draws Attention President Trump’s choice stood out in a sea of world leaders and famous faces who were dressed in customary black. By Vanessa Friedman

Asian American Women Are Redefining the ‘Old’ in Grandmother’s Gold Many Asian American women treat gold as an asset as well as an adornment. Now, their daughters are changing how they wear these precious metals. By Sadiya Ansari and Spandita Malik

A Very Washington Red Carpet Wonky but chic: A crowd made up mostly of political journalists attended the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Saturday. By Jim Windolf

Look of the Week Doing Business Casual With a Bomber Jacket A shirt and tie seemed less stuffy worn with the outerwear. By Simbarashe Cha

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