Doechii Honors André Leon Talley Ahead of 2025 Met Gala Debut

Doechii Teases 2025 Met Gala Debut With Tribute to André Leon Talley

Doechii Channels André Leon Talley Ahead of Her First Met Gala Appearance

Grammy-winning rapper Doechii is generating buzz ahead of her highly anticipated debut at the 2025 Met Gala by honoring one of fashion’s most iconic figures — André Leon Talley. With just days to go before the industry's most prestigious red carpet event, the rising music star took to Instagram to share a striking tribute to the late style legend.

Wearing a red-and-white tracksuit and carrying an assortment of Louis Vuitton luggage, including a tennis racket case and a classic trunk, Doechii recreated a well-known image of Talley. Her caption? A single, playful prompt: “ready?” — hinting at what could be one of the night's most meaningful sartorial moments.

A Visual Tribute to a Fashion Icon

The original image of Talley, which Doechii reposted on her Instagram Stories, features the former Vogue editor-at-large walking with his own Vuitton trunk and accessories, exuding the effortless luxury and flamboyance he became known for. Doechii mirrored the pose, accessories, and energy with precision — even down to her expression.

While Talley’s scarf is slightly different from Doechii’s Louis Vuitton towel, the photo is unmistakably a nod to his legacy. Known for his love of grand entrances, couture fashion, and shaping conversations around Black style in elite fashion spaces, Talley was also one of the most visible Black figures in fashion media — a role that Doechii now enters from a musical and cultural standpoint.

A Rising Style Force in the Making

2025 has already been a monumental year for Doechii. With multiple chart-topping hits, viral performances, and her signature face tape becoming a defining visual hallmark, her star power continues to expand. This year also marked her first Paris Fashion Week, where she attended major shows including Thom Browne, Acne Studios, Chloé, and Le Grand Dîner du Louvre, showcasing both her style range and industry credibility.

While she’s often linked to avant-garde fashion and has been dubbed a Thom Browne muse, her recent styling shows a deliberate effort to engage fashion history with cultural nuance — exactly in line with this year’s Met Gala theme.

What to Expect From Doechii at the Met Gala 2025?

The 2025 Met Gala, taking place on Monday, May 5, will center on the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” inspired by Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book Slaves to Fashion. According to Vogue, the exhibit will spotlight Black men’s style and dandyism from the 18th century to the present — a context in which André Leon Talley’s influence looms large.

Doechii’s carefully curated homage suggests that her red carpet look may be more than fashion-forward — it may be a cultural and historical statement. Whether she continues this tribute directly in her Met Gala ensemble or offers another interpretation of Black sartorial excellence, her appearance is already poised to be one of the night’s most talked-about.

Stay tuned to The Horizons Times for full Met Gala 2025 coverage, red carpet highlights, and exclusive interviews from the heart of the fashion world.