And why we think Solotica lenses made the ultimate red-carpet comeback!
The Met Gala has long been the pinnacle of fashion-meets-art. An annual fundraising gala for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York City, this event—held traditionally on the first Monday of May, is as much about fundraising as it is about unforgettable fashion moments. With tickets reportedly costing upwards of $50,000 per person (and a table going for as much as $300,000), it's not just a party, it's a cultural spectacle. It’s where legends are made, memes are born, and where style transforms into storytelling.
Since its inception in 1948, the Met Gala has evolved into a high-fashion theater, with each year presenting a different theme that challenges the industry's brightest to reimagine beauty, elegance, and provocation. This 2025, the theme was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”, a bold and brilliant homage to Black fashion's historical and contemporary impact. From Zoot suits and streetwear to Savile Row-inspired silhouettes, the red carpet this year was a masterclass in structured artistry, cultural pride, and stylistic ingenuity.
But beneath the bespoke suits, beaded gowns, and archival statements, there was another detail that turned heads, the eyes. Colored contact lenses have increasingly become a quiet yet potent element of red carpet glam, and this year, they played a major role in elevating looks from bold to unforgettable. We spotted six mega-celebrities - Kim Kardashian, Nicki Minaj, Lisa and Rosé of Blackpink, Cardi B, and Ciara, sporting natural colored contacts that subtly, yet significantly, transformed their appearances.
Solotica: A Red Carpet Favorite
Solotica is no stranger to the spotlight. Earlier this year, the Brazilian-born contact lens brand turned heads at the Grammy Awards, where award-winning artist Doechii wore Solotica Natural Colors in Agata to stunning effect. Known for their unmatched realism and seamless blending, even on dark brown eyes, Solotica lenses are a go-to for celebrities and glam squads looking for an unspoken wow factor.
Their colored contacts are more than just cosmetic. They have the power to transform a look subtly or dramatically, depending on the shade and styling. From icy grays to earthy greens and honey-rich hazels, Solotica lenses mimic the natural iris with such precision that even high-definition cameras are fooled. At this year’s Met Gala, we believe Solotica once again claimed its throne on the red carpet, this time through the eyes of six global icons - Kim Kardashian, Nicki Minaj, Lisa of Blackpink, Cardi B, Rosé, and Ciara. Each of them showcased unique interpretations of the theme, and their eye looks were nothing short of enchanting, subtle yet striking, sophisticated yet statement-making.
We’ll take a deep dive into each of their Met Gala 2025 appearances, from their outfits and glam choices to our exclusive lens speculations based on color, opacity, and undertone. Spoiler: there are some Solotica classics we definitely recognized!
Met Gala 2025: The Celebs Who Stole the Show with Colored Contacts
Kim Kardashian in Chrome Hearts
Kim Kardashian once again proved why she's a Met Gala mainstay, descending on the iconic steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art wrapped in unapologetic glamor and edge. This year, her look was a rebellious ode to the American West-reimagined through the high-shine, darkly romantic lens of Chrome Hearts. Her ensemble consisted of a croc-embossed, black leather corseted top with a sculptural silhouette, paired with a figure-hugging floor-length skirt that flared into a dramatic train. The off-shoulder vest-like piece revealed just enough skin and was cinched at the back with a belt detail, bringing a tactile rawness to the high-polish finish. What truly took the look to “Met-level” were the strands of white pearls draped elegantly across the skirt, both an homage to Western charm and a subversion of classic red carpet tropes. Topping it all off, quite literally, was a towering black cowgirl hat pulled low, giving paparazzi only teasing glimpses of her face and eyes. Kim balanced this intense leather moment with cascading diamonds, think drop earrings, layered necklaces, stacked rings—because no Kardashian look is ever complete without an unapologetic display of luxury.
But what stopped us mid-scroll was not just the outfit—it was the eyes. Kim Kardashian is no stranger to colored contacts, in fact, she once fronted Bella’s Diamond Collection, sparking a major eye-color trend back in the mid-2010s. At the 2025 Met Gala, her eye look was subtle yet striking. We speculated she was wearing Solotica Natural Colors Ocre, a beautiful light brown shade that doesn’t scream for attention but demands it nonetheless. The warm, honeyed hue melted into her naturally medium-dark brown eyes, creating a buttery-soft transition that brightened her gaze while maintaining elegance. The lens’s limbal ring added depth and definition, mirroring the dramatic sculptural elements of her outfit. Combined with her gleaming jewelry and sultry makeup, the lenses served as the perfect beauty pivot—grounding the heavy styling with a radiant softness. If the eyes are the window to the soul, Kim’s Met Gala soul this year was equal parts wild west fantasy and high-fashion femme fatale.
Nicki Minaj in Thom Browne
Never one to shy away from bold reinvention, Nicki Minaj arrived at the Met Gala in a custom ensemble by Thom Browne that was as conceptual as it was commanding. The look began with a sculptural, asymmetrical cocoon jacket in deep navy double duchess satin, embroidered with a running stitch pinstripe in silk thread. A deconstructed ode to the dandy suit, the jacket seemed to unravel with intention, hand-cut florals appliquéd in mixed textiles bloomed across the shoulders and sleeves, while golden spools, handcrafted by twin designers from L’Enchanteur, dangled like unfinished thoughts. It was fashion in flux: undone yet wholly realized.
Underneath, Minaj wore a white silk moiré corset, sharply contoured and laced in tonal silk duchess satin. This was grounded by a pencil skirt in navy and white pinstripe wool crepe, trailing into a structured mermaid train. Her makeup, crafted to perfection by celebrity MUA Raoul, featured a bronzed complexion with dramatic winged eyes, soft nude lips, and shimmering peach tones. But what really caught our gaze? Her eyes. Nicki’s usual deep brown stare was noticeably softened, giving her an otherworldly glow. Our theory? Solotica Natural Colors Avela. A rich light brown shade with golden undertones, Avela adds luminosity and depth, creating a subtle but transformative finish. It was a fitting choice for Nicki, a chameleon who has mastered the art of constantly surprising us, and this time, she did it with a whisper instead of a roar.
Lisa of Blackpink in Louis Vuitton
Making her Met Gala debut, Lisa of Blackpink showed that sophistication doesn’t always have to shout. Lisa proudly wore Louis Vuitton from head to toe, the global K-pop superstar gave a tailored twist to the evening’s theme with a structured black top and sheer monogrammed LV tights, forgoing pants altogether. Her sleek silhouette, matched with a signature monogram handbag and noir heels, was completed by statement jewelry and slicked-back hair, a modernist take on high-fashion tailoring with a rebellious K-pop twist.
Lisa’s look also stirred online buzz for more than its elegance. Her tights appeared to contain subtle embroidery, which fans speculated included a portrait of Rosa Parks. According to Louis Vuitton, the artwork was the work of visual artist Henry Taylor, known for intimate portrayals of Black lives. The brand clarified that the portraits represent people significant to Taylor, without confirming individual identities. Amid the cultural discourse, Lisa herself commented: "Fashion and I are inseparable. It’s my way of expressing myself alongside music."
But perhaps the most unexpected twist? Her eyes. Normally a deep espresso, Lisa’s gaze shimmered with a forest green tint that complemented her dark ensemble without overpowering it. Our take? It had to be Solotica Aquarella One-Day Sea Green. With a muted olive-green hue and translucent finish, it added just enough mystique to elevate her LV look into something celestial. It wasn’t loud, it was a hushed rebellion. Perfect for the queen of K-pop cool.
Cardi B in Burberry
Cardi B does not do subtle, and thank the fashion gods for that. At this year’s Met Gala, she turned heads in a sumptuous moss-green velvet suit from Burberry, a powerful deviation from her usual voluminous gowns. The look, tailored to perfection and accented with emerald jewelry, felt like a page out of the Harlem Renaissance, fused with Cardi’s unmistakable Bronx bravado. Structured shoulders, wide lapels, and a snatched waistline defined the look, making her every pose a power move.
Her stylist Kollin Carter described Cardi's Met Gala journey as a transformation of cultural perception. "We’ve reached into archives that are impossible to reach into. We caused a cultural shift." Cardi's presence at the Gala wasn’t just fashion, it was a reclamation of space in high fashion. And her eyes? A whole moment. Her piercing green gaze added a sultry coolness to her look, and our beauty radar is certain: Solotica Hidrocor Rio Copacabana. This bold, minty-green shade is not for the faint of heart, and it added the perfect edge to her lush velvet suit. She didn’t just wear the theme, she embodied it, eyes first.
Rosé of Blackpink in Saint Laurent
If Lisa was the rebel in black, Rosé was the siren of androgynous glam. In collaboration with Anthony Vaccarello of Saint Laurent, Rosé wore a sculptural, custom tuxedo, a powerful statement of refined femininity. The black tailored jacket plunged daringly, revealing a Tiffany & Co. sapphire pendant nestled against bare skin. A dramatic train flowed behind her, partially veiling red strappy heels that peeked out like secrets.
Her makeup was as romantic as her name, focusing on luminous skin, pink-champagne lids, and soft curls. But it was her eyes that drew you in slowly, the way a haunting ballad lingers. Subtle yet luminous, her colored contacts added a gloss to her naturally brown eyes, enhancing rather than overpowering. Our bet? Solotica Aquarella One-Day Golden Ochre. This shade is like a sheer veil of honey, designed to softly illuminate. On Rosé, it offered a glint of mystery, a gaze that sang its own quiet song.
Ciara in LaQuan Smith
Ciara brought the house down in a high-octane gown by LaQuan Smith, a masterclass in sensual tailoring and crystal architecture. The black-and-silver number featured cascading crystals that glided down her bodice and thighs, revealing slivers of skin while still maintaining a sculpted, powerful form. The structured satin, paired with a dramatic train, evoked both strength and sultry sophistication.
Known for her signature beauty looks, Ciara didn’t hold back on the glam. Her eyes, typically a rich brown, were noticeably enhanced, deep, delicious, and haloed by a lighter edge. Our lens experts unanimously agree: she wore Solotica Aquarella Castanha Brown. This color offers a deep brown iris with a dimensional ring that enlarges and dramatizes the eyes, without looking artificial. In short, it’s a lens that makes your gaze unforgettable. Just like Ciara.
From head to toe - and pupil to perimeter, these celebrities embraced the full spectrum of transformation at Met Gala 2025. And if eyes are the window to the soul, then Solotica was the subtle sculptor behind some of the night’s most captivating stories.
