This year’s exhibition takes deep inspiration from Monica L. Miller’s seminal 2009 book, Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity, which frames fashion not simply as aesthetics, but as a layered, political language—one that has served Black communities for centuries. In her work, Miller outlines the emergence of the Black Dandy in the 18th century and how this figure has evolved into today’s sharpest dressers and cultural icons.

At the heart of “Superfine” is the notion that fashion has long functioned as a site of resistance, subversion, and identity formation for Black individuals, from enslavement to modern-day celebrity. The show explores how both enslaved and free Black people have historically navigated the politics of dress, using style to challenge oppressive systems, signal autonomy, and redefine narratives of beauty and power.

Dandyism, often misread as vanity or excess, is recast here as a revolutionary act. The term “dandy” once conjured the image of a man meticulously dressed to assert social prestige. In the context of Black history, however, it becomes a vehicle for subversion: a means for the oppressed to reclaim power through tailoring, polish, and poise.

The exhibition will chart how enslaved Black men were once “dandified” by their enslavers to be displayed as status symbols. But over time, Black communities reclaimed dandyism as a self-fashioned aesthetic, a way to assert presence, intellect, and creative mastery in societies that sought to deny them agency.

The Met Gala’s 2025 dress code, “Tailored for You,” offers guests a powerful framework to interpret this theme. It’s more than just a cue for custom suiting or sharply cut silhouettes – it’s an invitation to explore personal and cultural narratives through bespoke fashion.

Expect red carpet interpretations that blend heritage tailoring with Afrofuturist aesthetics, avant-garde takes on the three-piece suit, and gender-defiant silhouettes that echo the exhibition’s core message: that style is both armor and art.

Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, and Anna Wintour will co-chair the 2025 Met Gala, with LeBron James serving as an honorary chair.

As we look to a night that will undoubtedly be filled with elegance, innovation, and cultural resonance, “Superfine” and its sartorial philosophy will highlight the Black Dandy not just as a style icon, but as a cultural architect, shaping how the world sees fashion – and sees itself.

From the streets of Harlem to the pages of contemporary fashion editorials, the Black Dandy continues to challenge conventions, merging discipline with disruption, tradition with transcendence. The 2025 Met Gala, with its theme and its exhibition, will celebrate not just tailored garments but tailored lives, deeply shaped by the Black experience and stitched with pride, complexity, and undeniable style.

Header image by Diane Picchiottino