Jeff Goldblum rarely gets emotional about clothing, but his custom Wales Bonner suit for this year’s Met Gala managed to move him to tears. In a conversation with Esquire, the 72-year-old actor reflected on his fashion journey, the meaningful details of his Met look, and why this year’s “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme deserves attention.
Goldblum recounted how, just before his interview, he was overcome with emotion during the final fitting for his Met Gala outfit. Surrounded by designer Grace Wales Bonner and her team, Goldblum felt the weight of their care and dedication in every stitch. “Feeling it and seeing it it’s this fabric that feels so good. It’s obviously so well-done. The buttons, when I buttoned it and unbuttoned it it’s so unbelievable,” he said. The ensemble included a midnight indigo wool-and-silk pinstripe suit, a navy cashmere-and-wool overcoat with a Mongolian-shearling collar, and distinct antique buttons. The finishing touches: a silk bow tie and patent-leather Manolo Blahnik opera shoes.
For Goldblum, personal style is as much about artistry as it is about fashion. He credits jazz icons like Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis for influencing his outlook, noting that style can be both a personal statement and a political gesture. Goldblum’s appreciation for detail, creativity, and history is evident in his collaboration with stylist Andrew Vottero, with whom he has worked for a decade.
This year’s Met Gala theme has prompted Goldblum to reflect on the cultural resonance of tailoring and Black style. He drew connections to his experience working with Oscar-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell on Wicked and praised the celebration of meticulous style and cultural legacy. “I find that inspiring and worth study and deep reflection,” Goldblum remarked.
Goldblum’s own journey with style started in Pittsburgh, where he was captivated by clothing and drawing from an early age. He fondly recalls sketching men’s collars and ties, shopping for standout pieces, and discovering how attire shapes both personal identity and character on stage or screen.
Looking ahead, Goldblum is enthusiastic about attending the Met Gala, seeing friends old and new, and engaging with the night’s powerful theme. “It’s a real event and a spectacle, but I love that it’s about something serious this year. I really think it’s worth supporting and worth shining a light on,” he said.
As for what a Jeff Goldblum–themed Met Gala might look like? The actor envisions a night filled with creativity and freedom costumes as imaginative and unique as his own approach to style, encouraging everyone to embrace individuality.
