How and when to watch fashion’s biggest night as stars prepare for the red carpet

Expect A$AP Rocky and Rihanna to be “Fashion Killas” tonight.

The rapper-designer is cochair of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”-themed event and will attend with his singer-designer “wife.” They were last at the gala in 2023, when Rihanna was pregnant with their first son, RZA, now 2. Their second son, Riot, 1, was born in 2024, and they sat out the gala that year because Rihanna came down with the flu at the last minute.

The Met Ball has long been an important event for Rocky and Rihanna, who made their official couple debut there in 2021. They’ve pivoted to successful careers in fashion (for both her and him), stretching their artistic wings beyond their musical origins. Rihanna cochaired the gala in 2018 and performed in 2015.

Rihanna said this year’s theme — inspired by Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book, Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity, and exploring the importance for sartorial style to the formation of Black identities — is her “favorite” of all the galas, of which she’s attended at least 10. She said it will be a “celebration of culture [and] history.”

There’s a bit more pressure on Rihanna and Rocky to bring it style-wise this year after famously tough critic Anna Wintour, who helms the hot-ticket fundraiser in NYC, recently deemed them the most fashionable celebrity couple.

Judging from the past, whatever they wear won’t be basic. After all, he once sported a colorful quilt (2023) and she dressed like an egg (2015). They’re known for fun outfit transformations on the famed staircase, whether it was his quilt drop or her taking off her bouquet cape to reveal her bump.

This could have been a very different first Monday of May for the couple. In February, Rocky was found not guilty of gun assault charges, stemming from a dispute with an ex-friend. He faced up to 24 years in prison. Rihanna was unwavering in her support during the trial, even bringing along their babies.