Met Gala Sustainability: How Green Is Fashion’s Biggest Night?
The Met Gala is one of fashion’s most iconic nights, blending celebrity, art and influence on a global stage. It’s also an opportunity to showcase bold, creative expressions that reflect cultural movements and, increasingly, the push towards a more sustainable fashion industry.
On 5 May 2025, hundreds of celebrities, designers and cultural icons converged on the Metropolitan Museum of Art for this year’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”. Co-chaired by Anna Wintour, Lewis Hamilton, Pharrell Williams, ASAP Rocky, Colman Domingo, and honourary chair LeBron James, this year’s event celebrated the legacy of Black dandyism as a cultural and historical lens to explore identity, resistance, and style innovation.
The Environmental Impact of the Met Gala
The Met Gala, while small in numbers with its exclusive 700-guest list, has an outsized impact on the fashion world. What happens on the Met steps often ripples through the industry, influencing trends for years to come. However, the glitz and glamour come with a heavy environmental footprint. Many outfits at the Met Gala are custom-made, one-of-a-kind pieces designed specifically for the event and often unlikely to be worn again. The fabrics and embellishments, including sequins, synthetic blends, and plastic elements, are notoriously unsustainable, remaining in the environment for centuries.
According to the World Economic Forum, the fashion industry as a whole is responsible for around 10% of global emissions, nearly 20% of the world’s wastewater, and half a million tonnes of plastic microfibres entering the ocean every year. With projections suggesting fashion could account for 25% of global emissions by 2050, the need for change is clear.
Small Steps, Big Statements
Despite these challenges, some designers and attendees are pushing for change. In 2024, we saw high-profile celebrities champion sustainable fashion on the red carpet:
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Charli XCX’s gown, crafted from 50 vintage t-shirts by Francesco Risso of Marni, redefined upcycling.
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Janelle Monáe’s Vera Wang dress featured flowers made from recycled plastic bottles.
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Amanda Seyfried opted for a metallic satin Prada gown fashioned from repurposed deadstock fabric, originally from Prada’s 2009 Spring collection.
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Ed Sheeran donned a Stella McCartney suit, complete with lab-grown diamonds and vegan leather shoes.
These efforts, while notable, still represent a small fraction of the overall fashion narrative. To truly impact the industry, these moments need to become the norm, not the exception.
The Blue Carpet – A Sustainable Spotlight
Beyond the couture, the Met Gala 2025’s decor told a sustainability story. This year’s striking 63,000-square-foot blue carpet was crafted by Neytt by Extraweave, a Kerala-based design house known for its commitment to sustainable craftsmanship. This marks the third consecutive year the company has supplied the Met Gala with its artisanal carpets, blending Indian heritage with global luxury.
Founded in 1917, the roots of Neytt by Extraweave trace back to Travancore Mats and Matting Company, established by K. Velayudhan. Today, the company remains at the forefront of innovation, combining century-old weaving techniques with modern technology from around the world. Their facility in Alappuzha, known as the 'Venice of the East', is a testament to the power of sustainable design, using imported machinery from Ireland, Italy and Belgium to create their globally sought-after products.
What’s Next for Sustainable Fashion?
For events as influential as the Met Gala, the potential to drive meaningful change in the fashion industry is immense. Small steps, like featuring upcycled designs or using sustainably produced carpets, can set the tone for more significant industry shifts. At Scarlet Destiny, we believe in championing these conversations. While we may not have a seat at the Met (yet!), we can still choose to #BeMoreScarlet by supporting small, ethical brands, choosing timeless pieces over fleeting trends, and advocating for transparency in fashion.
KDP doesn’t offer recycled paper or plant-based inks — and we’re not holding our breath. Scarlet Destiny offsets part of its print impact through quarterly reforestation donations via MoreTrees. Not every copy plants a tree, but every one helps grow a wilder, wiser forest of change. Because whether it’s publishing or design, transformation often begins with a single stitch — or a single page. After all, change often starts with a single stitch.
Sources: economictimes.indiatimes.com, sustainabilitymag.com
Image credits: canva.com
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