The Rosa Parks Met Gala Controversy: 5 Shocking Details Behind The Viral 'Underwear' Outrage

The unlikely and deeply controversial intersection of Civil Rights icon Rosa Parks and the high-fashion spectacle of the Met Gala became one of the biggest talking points of the 2025 event. The firestorm erupted almost immediately after K-Pop star Lisa Manobal of BLACKPINK stepped onto the red carpet in a custom Louis Vuitton ensemble, sparking a massive social media outrage that accused the design of profound disrespect to a historical figure. This article, updated for , unpacks the full story behind the viral moment, the subsequent backlash, and the official clarification from the fashion house.

The core of the issue was a detail on the garment—a delicate lace print that viewers quickly mistook for a portrait of Rosa Parks placed in a highly suggestive area of the outfit. The incident ignited a complex debate about cultural sensitivity, the commercialization of historical figures, and the fine line between artistic tribute and cultural appropriation in the world of haute couture.

Rosa Parks: A Brief Biography and Context of the Controversy

To understand the depth of the public reaction, one must first appreciate the monumental significance of Rosa Parks.

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• Full Name: Rosa Louise McCauley Parks
• Born: February 4, 1913, in Tuskegee, Alabama, U.S.
• Died: October 24, 2005, in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
• Key Role: American Civil Rights activist, often called "the first lady of civil rights" and "the mother of the freedom movement."
• Defining Moment: Her refusal to give up her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, on December 1, 1955.
• Historical Impact: Her act of defiance led directly to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement.
• Awards: Presidential Medal of Freedom (1996), Congressional Gold Medal (1999).
• Post-Movement Career: Worked as a secretary and receptionist for U.S. Representative John Conyers, Jr. from 1965 to 1988.

The controversy stems from the immense respect and reverence held for Parks. Her image is a symbol of dignity, resistance, and the struggle against racial segregation. The idea of her likeness being used as a decorative element on a provocative fashion piece at an exclusive, high-cost event like the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala was immediately seen by many as sacrilege.

The 2025 Met Gala Outfit and Accusation Explained

The annual Met Gala, chaired by Anna Wintour, is fashion's biggest night, known for its extravagant adherence to a specific theme. The 2025 theme was "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," a celebration of Black dandyism and sartorial excellence, inspired in part by Monica Miller's book *Slaves to Fashion*. This theme was meant to explore the historical and cultural significance of Black style.

The Custom Louis Vuitton Ensemble

K-Pop superstar Lisa Manobal, a global ambassador for Louis Vuitton, wore a custom ensemble designed by Pharrell Williams, the brand's Creative Director of Menswear. The outfit consisted of a structured jacket and a sheer, embroidered lace bodysuit that was the source of the scandal.

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• Designer: Pharrell Williams for Louis Vuitton.
• Wearer: Lisa Manobal (BLACKPINK, *The White Lotus*).
• Core Detail: The sheer bodysuit featured a collage of embroidered black-and-white portraits of women.
• The Problem: A specific portrait on the lower half of the garment, near the crotch area, was quickly misidentified by social media users as Rosa Parks.

The immediate backlash was fierce. Critics on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) called the design "disrespectful," "in poor taste," and "cultural appropriation at its worst." The placement of the alleged portrait was deemed particularly offensive, turning a revered historical figure into a vulgarized fashion accessory.

Official Clarification: Was It Really Rosa Parks?

Amidst the growing social media outrage and the trending keyword "Rosa Parks Met Gala," the official parties—Louis Vuitton and the artist responsible for the portraits—were forced to issue a rapid clarification to quell the controversy.

The Artist’s Statement and Resolution

The fashion house and the artist behind the lace print confirmed unequivocally that the portrait was *not* Rosa Parks. The artwork was a collage of faces based on people from the artist's personal life, not famous historical figures.

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While the resemblance was noted—a middle-aged Black woman with short, dark hair—the intention was never to depict the Civil Rights leader. This crucial piece of information diffused the controversy, but not before the damage was done, leading to a wider conversation about the responsibility of high-fashion designers and celebrities when engaging with sensitive cultural themes.

The Deeper Conversation: Fashion, Tributes, and Cultural Sensitivity

The "Rosa Parks Met Gala" incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges inherent in blending historical context with modern, often provocative, fashion. High-fashion events like the Met Gala frequently attempt "tributes" to cultural movements or historical figures, but the execution often falls short, leading to accusations of commercialization or cultural appropriation.

The Perils of Thematic Dressing

The 2025 theme, "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," was inherently sensitive, focusing on Black cultural history. While Pharrell Williams and Louis Vuitton aimed to celebrate Black dandyism and style, the controversy highlighted the risk of misinterpretation, especially with designs that feature human likenesses. The sheer speed and conviction of the online reaction demonstrate how quickly a fashion statement can be judged as a cultural misstep in the age of instant digital scrutiny.

The key takeaway from this episode is the necessity for designers and celebrities to exercise extreme diligence when referencing figures of immense historical and cultural importance. For many, Rosa Parks is not merely a historical figure but a sacred symbol of justice and human dignity, and any perceived trivialization is met with immediate and powerful resistance.

Ultimately, while the identity of the portrait was a mistake, the incident underscored the public's deep-seated protective stance over the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement and its icons. The controversy, though based on a misidentification, forced a valuable public discussion about the boundaries of art, fashion, and historical reverence.