Halle Berry made headlines at this year’s Met Gala, commanding attention in one of the most revealing outfits of the night.
At 58, the Oscar-winning actress proved she’s still every bit the showstopper — confidently walking the red carpet in a daring look that appeared to leave underwear behind.
The Story Behind Halle Berry’s Bold Met Gala Look
At 58, Halle Berry remains one of Hollywood’s most iconic and highest-paid actresses, with a career that spans over three decades. She made history in 2001 with her powerful performance in Monster’s Ball, becoming the first Black woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Adored by millions around the world, Berry has long been celebrated for her talent and timeless beauty. But her recent appearance at the Met Gala has sparked controversy online. The actress turned heads and drew criticism when she arrived in a daring, underwear-free ensemble that some are labeling “crass.”
Now, fans and fashion critics alike are debating whether her bold choice was a fearless statement or a step too far.
Halle Berry’s Bold Met Gala Comeback Sparks Mixed Reactions
For her much-anticipated return to the Met Gala in 2025—her first since 2017—Halle Berry made headlines in a daring, sheer striped gown with a dramatic plunging neckline. Designed by LaQuan Smith, the eye-catching look was described as “a mix of s**y Bond girl meets Harlem Renaissance,” with inspiration drawn from the elusive Mongolian snow leopard.
The custom ensemble, brought to life with the help of Cartier, featured 31.69 carats of diamonds and 3.74 carats of onyx, meticulously crafted over 1,455 hours. Even her earrings, designed to mirror the geometric necklace, added 3.96 carats of diamonds and 0.4 carats of onyx—taking an additional 319 hours to complete.
“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,” Berry told Vogue.
Smith praised Berry for her creative input and called the look a celebration of fearless self-expression. But not everyone embraced the fashion risk.
The 58-year-old actress appeared to forgo underwear, which made the sheer gown one of the most revealing outfits of the night—drawing sharp criticism online. While fans admired the craftsmanship and bold vision, others weren’t so impressed.
“Just straight up trashy,” one commenter wrote. Another added, “This is wrong in so many ways.”
As debate continues over whether Berry’s look was fashion-forward or too provocative, one thing is clear: her Met Gala return left a lasting impression.
Designed with Purpose: The Story Behind Halle Berry’s Controversial Met Gala Look
As backlash over Halle Berry’s daring 2025 Met Gala outfit continued to ripple across social media, critics didn’t hold back.
“Ugh. So cheap, Halle,” one person wrote. Another added, “One thing about Halle she’s always gonna show up half nekked.” And perhaps the most blunt reaction of all: “Why is her punani out omg.”
But while the revealing look stirred outrage among some, Berry and her designer, LaQuan Smith, say it was anything but careless.
The theme of the 2025 Met Gala was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” a tribute to the legacy of Black menswear and dandyism an aesthetic movement defined by sharp tailoring, individuality, and cultural pride. The dress code? “Tailored for You.”
LaQuan Smith explained that Berry’s look was a deliberate interpretation of that theme.
“We took classic tailoring concepts structured shoulders, cinched waists and reimagined them with sheer fabrics, stretch silks, and bold cutouts,” he told Vogue.
He described the gown as a fusion of tradition and rebellion, aligning with the evening’s deeper message through “exaggerated lines, luxurious fabrics, and sheer boldness.”
Smith also praised Berry for playing an active role in the creation of the design:
“She knows exactly who she is and has such a clear sense of style, but she’s also incredibly collaborative. During fittings, she wasn’t just putting on a dress she was shaping the vision with me.”
Despite the online backlash, Berry’s appearance was a reminder that fashion can still provoke, challenge, and spark conversation.
