Musician Lorde used fashion as a form of self-expression at the 2025 Met Gala, offering subtle but powerful insight into her evolving sense of gender. The New Zealand-born artist appeared on the red carpet Monday night in a custom two-piece silver ensemble by designer Thom Browne, signaling what she described as a personal statement on gender identity and self-discovery.
In an interview with Vogue correspondent Emma Chamberlain, Lorde, 27, revealed that her outfit—comprising a structured cropped jacket and floor-length deconstructed skirt—was not only inspired by the event’s theme but also deeply personal.
“This is my creation,” Lorde told Chamberlain. “I just love the open back. To me, it really represents where I’m at gender-wise. I feel like a man and a woman.”
Lorde tells Emma Chamberlain her dress is an Easter egg for new album ‘Virgin’:
“It represents where I’m at gender-wise. I feel like a man and a woman.”
pic.twitter.com/0Dbym50q86— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) May 6, 2025
The artist explained that the top of her outfit referenced a cummerbund, the pleated sash typically worn with men’s tuxedos, a nod to traditional menswear. She added that the outfit involved “a lot of deconstructed tailoring,” aligning closely with this year’s Met Gala theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style. The accompanying dress code, Tailored for You, invited guests to present looks that were deeply personal, tailored in both a literal and figurative sense.
For Lorde, the ensemble was more than fashion—it was a reflection of her inner transformation. “It’s something of an Easter egg,” she added cryptically. “More will be revealed.”
An Expression of Identity
Lorde has become increasingly vocal about her gender journey. In a recent interview with Document Journal, she described her new single, “What Was That,” as the “first music of my rebirth,” marking a period of profound self-reflection and personal growth.
“I had come back from London to New York after this period of great turbulence in my personal life,” Lorde said. “Becoming single, but also really facing my body stuff head-on, and starting to feel my gender broadening a little bit.”
The singer’s candid comments resonated widely online and sparked speculation among fans and followers about her gender identity. While some praised her vulnerability, others cautioned against public speculation. Commentators, including writers at LGBTQ+ publication Them, urged fans and media alike to allow Lorde space to explore her identity without pressure or assumptions.
Shortly after the Met Gala, Lorde posted a video on Instagram featuring herself dancing in the silver gown, mouthing lyrics to “What Was That,” the lead single from her upcoming fourth studio album, Virgin. The video was set to the song’s chorus and ended with the caption: “Hide your forks.”
The caption references a lyric from her 2021 song “The Path,” off the album Solar Power, in which she sings: “Arm in a cast at the museum gala / Fork in my purse to take home to my mother.” The callback, combined with the self-referential nature of her Met Gala look, added another layer to the symbolism behind her appearance and artistic narrative.
New Music, New Era
Virgin, Lorde’s fourth studio album, is scheduled for release on June 27, 2025. The project will mark her return to solo music after recent collaborations, including a 2024 remix with fellow pop innovator Charli XCX that was widely praised by fans and critics.
Lorde has described the new album as deeply introspective, shaped by a period of personal transition. Her remarks about gender and body image indicate that the themes in Virgin may reflect a more expansive view of identity, rooted in both struggle and acceptance.
Although the artist has not used any specific gender labels publicly, her comments about feeling like “a man and a woman” reflect the spectrum of gender experience and echo the language used by many nonbinary and gender-fluid individuals.
The Broader Context
Lorde’s openness comes at a time when conversations around gender identity and fluidity are increasingly prominent in both pop culture and politics. Her willingness to share personal experiences—whether through fashion, lyrics, or interviews—adds a nuanced voice to an often polarizing public dialogue.
The Met Gala, known for its opulence and cultural influence, has become an annual platform where celebrities challenge norms and signal deeper messages through style. This year’s theme celebrated Black tailoring traditions and emphasized individuality, providing the perfect stage for Lorde’s gender-focused expression.
While some online speculators rushed to label her gender identity, others emphasized the importance of self-defined identity, noting that not everyone exploring gender needs to be categorized.
Lorde’s carefully curated Met Gala look, cryptic social media clues, and reflective public statements suggest that she is choosing to navigate this personal journey on her own terms.
And as the release of Virgin approaches, fans may find more answers—or perhaps more questions—woven into the fabric of her next musical chapter.
