The article previews the 2025 Met Gala, which coincides with the Metropolitan Museum of Art's exhibition "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style." The gala's dress code will celebrate Black dandyism, inspired by Monica L. Miller's 2009 book *Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity*. Co-chairs include actor Colman Domingo, Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, rapper A$AP Rocky, and musician Pharrell Williams. The exhibition, guest-curated by Miller, will feature historical and contemporary clothing, artworks, and photographs organized into 12 sections such as "Respectability," "Disguise," and "Cool." The article also highlights five art historical examples of Black dandyism, including a 1772 portrait of Julius Soubise.
This matters because the Met Gala is one of the most high-profile events in fashion and art, and this year's theme directly addresses the historical and cultural significance of Black dandyism—a style that originated as a form of resistance and self-definition for Black people during and after enslavement. By centering Black identity and sartorial agency, the exhibition and gala challenge traditional art historical narratives and underscore how fashion has been used as a tool for political and social expression. The event also signals a broader recognition of Black contributions to fashion and visual culture within major institutions.