2025 Met Gala Celebrates Black Dandyism

The 2025 Met Gala, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, spotlighted "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," an exhibition and theme honoring Black dandyism—a cultural and fashion movement that emerged as a form of self-expression and resistance. This marks the first time in the Met Gala's history that the Costume Institute has dedicated an entire exhibition to Black style and menswear. The exhibition, inspired by Monica L. Miller’s book Slaves to Fashion, explores the evolution of Black dandyism from the 18th century to the present, examining how fashion has been used to assert identity and autonomy within the Black diaspora .

The gala's dress code, "Tailored for You," encouraged attendees to interpret the theme through personalized fashion, resulting in a vibrant display of creativity and homage to Black cultural heritage. Notable figures such as Colman Domingo, Zendaya, Rihanna, and Serena Williams embraced the theme with ensembles that blended traditional tailoring with bold, modern elements. The event not only celebrated the aesthetic of Black dandyism but also highlighted its significance as a form of cultural expression and resistance .

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