Haitian designer Jovana Louis (Jovana Benoît) made history at the Met Gala on May 6, 2025, in New York. The fashion designer, accompanied by an all-Black creative team, presented a custom five-piece ensemble.
This year, the iconic Met Gala fashion event took place overnight from Monday, May 5 to Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. As usual, the prestigious evening was led by Anna Wintour, journalist and editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine, who was joined by Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, Pharrell Williams, and A$AP Rocky. The theme was: “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”, with the dress code “Tailored for You”, paying tribute to Black cultural heritage, refinement, and expressive tailoring.
This was the inspiration behind Jovana Benoît’s creation, worn by renowned Broadway producer Cody Renard Richard for his very first Met Gala. The custom outfit, crafted in red and black silk satin, was inspired by the legendary André Leon Talley. The ensemble featured a double-breasted blazer with six hand-beaded buttons, glossy lapels, detailed trousers, and a grand cape with padded shoulders. Underneath, a floral lace shirt and silk scarf referenced 18th-century menswear, reinterpreting colonial-era aesthetics through a modern and empowering Black lens.
One of the boldest statements came from the handmade floral lace durag, bordered with embroidery and draped with intention. Both fashion and resistance, the durag honored its roots in Black labor and survival, transforming a once-stigmatized symbol into a celebration of resilience and identity.
The full look was styled by famed stylist Mickey Freeman. Completing the outfit: custom leather shoes by Haitian designer Gianni Gonzales of House of Gonza. Designed specifically for the Met Gala, the shoes tied the look back to Haiti’s cultural pride.
Jovana Benoît spoke openly after the event:
“I’m sitting here crying, asking myself… why do Black women have to work five times harder, even with the same education and talent as icons? Being Black already means pushing harder. Being a Black Haitian woman in fashion means going far beyond the limits. I’ve been featured in top magazines, walked red carpets, done covers, dressed celebrities, and designed for major films, series, and music videos. Yet, I’m often only recognized when the work is too beautiful to ignore.
For this Met Gala look, I had just a few hours to sketch and only four days to create it — all while juggling other projects. It was intense and last minute, but I delivered. I don’t want pity. I don’t need favors. I work hard. I solve problems. I know my worth.
And to everyone who’s messaged me over the years — especially my Haitian community — to say I inspire them: know that nothing about this journey is easy. What you see on my social media is real, but it’s just a glimpse. Behind the scenes, I barely sleep. I rarely go out. I mostly travel for work. I stay focused. I never stop learning.
So here is my truth: Know what you want. Believe in it. Master it. Surround yourself with people who truly support you. Do it the right way. Do it for yourself. Quality takes time. Stay humble. Stay real. Never give up. Everything is possible. And remember: God sees everything. He is always watching.”
The Haitian-born designer Jovana Louis — along with her husband and business partner Jean Lesly Benoît — is the founder of the Jovana Louis brand. Inspired by her family and passionate about French, Haitian, and Asian cultures, Jovana boldly and courageously opened her first boutique in Vietnam and made her runway debut at Vietnam Fashion Week in 2018. Shortly after, in 2019, she debuted at New York Fashion Week. She is living a dream come true. Her sculptural pieces have graced the covers of renowned fashion magazines and adorned celebrities from Garcelle Beauvais to Janet Jackson.
