On May 5, 2025, attendees of the luxurious Met Gala were greeted with an arresting visual: a suspended arrangement of over 7,000 Narcissus flowers extending from the ceiling of the Temple of Dendur. This installation, conceived by artist Cy Gavin and brought to life by set designer Derek McLane and event planner Raúl Àvila, drew inspiration from Gavin's painting 'Untitled (Sky)' and the myth of Narcissus.
The Narcissus flowers, commonly known as daffodils, were chosen for their symbolic association with self-reflection and transformation. Gavin's artwork, which transforms daffodils into star-like projections, was prominently displayed during the event, reinforcing the themes of identity and perception. This floral installation served as a visual centerpiece for the Met Gala's 2025 theme, 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style', celebrating Black fashion and cultural expression.
A Floral Welcome - Narcissus Flowers Lead the Way Into the Met
As with every first Monday in May, the red carpet was rolled out on the steps of New York’s Metropolitan Museum for the event that kicks off the Costume Institute’s annual fashion exhibition. This year was the first exhibition centered on Black style and the second in the event’s history to focus on menswear. The exhibit will be open from May 10 to October 26, 2025, at the Anna Wintour Costume Center, the museum wing dedicated to this purpose. But before its public debut, the traditional Met Gala took place.
Gavin recognizes that the story of Narcissus can be interpreted in many ways, but one aspect stood out to him as particularly meaningful. It seems like it was the first time he saw himself and became intrigued by that moment of self-recognition, not love, but simply recognition. It's so easy to fail to see yourself clearly, influenced by all the identities others assign to you. He then experimented with the positioning of the flowers, finding that when rotated at different angles, they took on the appearance of stars.
The red carpet, contrary to what the name suggests, was no ordinary rug. It also featured a pattern of white flowers that adorned the iconic staircase in fresh, real form, welcoming guests into the building.
The flower in question was the white Narcissus, a species that holds countless layers and meaning. At first glance, its precise shape, pale color, and delicacy seem to represent purity, contemplation, and a sense of careful intention. However, the flower is a symbol rich in ambiguity, deeply intertwined with myth, dandyism, and queer culture.
A Bit of Narcissus History Aligning With the Met Gala
Greek mythology gave us the tale: Narcissus was a strikingly beautiful young man who coldly rejected all those who fell in love with him. The gods, seeing how many hearts he broke with his disdain, decided to punish him. One day, upon seeing his own reflection in a pond, he fell in love with it, unaware it was himself. Unable to pull away from the desire, he ultimately withered away. From the spot where he died, a flower bloomed: the Narcissus.
Narcissism, in fact, is one of the defining traits of the dandies—central figures in this year’s Met exhibition and Gala. The concept of the dandy, often overused and misunderstood today, originated from a rejection of the masculine norms of its time. It emphasized extreme attention to appearance and style at a moment when such concerns were reserved only for women.
At the 2025 Met Gala, the Narcissus flower took on a new role, becoming a symbol of strength, identity, and change. From the floral arrangements to the fashion choices of the guests, the flower was intertwined into the event’s design, reflecting its broader significance.
The flower, which has roots in ancient mythology, was reimagined as a symbol of personal expression and the shifting landscape of fashion and culture.
Header image by @los40urban, featured image by @thedenisestephanie.
