Fashion’s biggest night returned with a powerful tribute to Black sartorial history as the 2025 Met Gala unveiled its “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The first Monday in May saw A-list celebrities and designers explore the rich legacy of Black dandyism through bold red carpet interpretations.
Co-chaired by Pharrell Williams, A$AP Rocky, Colman Domingo and Lewis Hamilton, the event honored the opening of the Costume Institute’s groundbreaking exhibition tracing how Black men transformed European dandy aesthetics into tools of empowerment. From 18th-century enslaved valets forced to dress elegantly to Harlem Renaissance gentlemen using sharp suits as resistance, the showcase reveals fashion’s role in Black identity formation.
“This exhibit represents a full-circle moment,” said Williams, Louis Vuitton’s menswear director, referencing his Virginia roots in the African diaspora. Guest curator Monica Miller emphasized how Black dandyism historically challenged social hierarchies through deliberate sartorial excellence.
The gala’s timing carries political weight, arriving amid national debates about diversity initiatives. The exhibition spotlights overlooked Black designers while celebrating icons like the late Vogue legend André Leon Talley.
On the red carpet, stars paid homage through modern dandyism – from Simone Biles’ structured emerald gown to Spike Lee’s signature tailored suits. As museumgoers prepare to view rare menswear artifacts, the night proved fashion remains both armor and artistry for Black self-expression.
