Gabby Thomas is sprinting into the spotlight in more ways than one. Just weeks after dominating the 200m in Kingston and collecting a cool $100,000 from Grand Slam Track, the Harvard alum brought that same winning energy to the 2025 Met Gala. The track star, known for her poise and power both on and off the oval, took the fashion world by storm with a look that was far from ordinary. Ditching spikes for stilettos, Thomas arrived in a gown that wasn’t just elegant.
While the red carpet was packed with iconic athletes for this year’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” Thomas quietly delivered one of the most meaningful statements of the night. Her custom ensemble wasn’t just eye-catching. The clever nod to her sport wasn’t immediately obvious, but for those who looked twice, it was unmistakable.
With every stride she took up the iconic Met steps, Gabby reminded the world that her path is uniquely hers. And she’s running it with style and purpose. Gabby Thomas, no stranger to turning heads off the track, took her fashion game to a whole new level at the 2025 Met Gala. Known for her past stint with Vogue and a refined sense of style, Thomas looked nearly unrecognizable in a custom red gown that fused elegance with meaning.
Designed by Priya Ahluwalia, the dress made a quiet yet powerful statement. Especially if you caught the clever detail in the neckline. “The neckline has this amazing architectural detailing designed to mimic the shape of a track,” Thomas explained, blending her athletic identity with haute couture in a way only she could. The bold red silk gown shimmered under the lights, beaded with cascading red crystals that, as Thomas described, were “inspired by the colors and silhouettes of the Harlem Renaissance.”
The choice of theme wasn’t accidental. It celebrated both heritage and strength, paying homage to a culturally rich era while anchoring her look in something deeply personal. From the track-like lines on the dress to the Renaissance-inspired embellishments, the outfit told a story. One that only Thomas, with her dual identity as athlete and fashion icon, could pull off so gracefully. And of course, the glam had to match the dress.
“It’s such a showstopper of a dress, so we knew the makeup had to be impeccable as well,” she noted. And it was. Her look was completed with dazzling diamond earrings and a polished beauty touch courtesy of Charlotte Tilbury, sealing the ensemble as one of the night’s most standout moments. Despite a recent stumble in Miami and wedding plans potentially shifting timelines, Gabby Thomas proved at the Met Gala that she does both with unmatched grace and intention.
Gabby Thomas comes up just short in Miami
Gabby Thomas returned to the track for Day 2 of Grand Slam Track’s Miami stop, looking like a star with something to prove. And she delivered with trademark flair. Clocking a wind-legal 21.95 in the women’s 200m, Thomas claimed a decisive win, bouncing back from a fourth-place finish in Friday’s 100m. But the victory, while sweet, wasn’t enough to clinch the overall points title.
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, who had taken the 100m crown earlier, also finished the 200m in 21.95 and secured third place. That performance pushed her just ahead of Gabby Thomas in total points, with her 18 points to Gabby’s 17, snatching away the $100,000 prize by the narrowest of margins. Thomas still walked away with a hefty $50,000 runner-up check, but for someone who thrives on the edge of excellence, it felt more like a near miss than a victory lap.
After the race, she reflected on her prep and execution, suggesting there were “some things we could’ve done better.” And while fans pressed her about what events she might take on next in the Grand Slam Track series, Thomas was coy, saying, “I think I’ll keep it as a surprise for now,” with a smirk that hinted there’s more in store. With Philadelphia on the horizon, the chase for redemption is already underway.
Gabby’s long history of electric speed includes eight sub-11 wind-aided 100m runs between 2018 and 2022. This shows she’s never far from explosive form. And if Miami didn’t hand her the win she wanted, it might have reignited something even more powerful. Between the near-miss on the track and her symbolically track-shaped Met Gala gown, Gabby Thomas seems to be sending a message. She’s in it for more than medals. She’s building a moment. And that moment could peak just in time for Paris.
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