Met Gala 2025 Preview: Defining Black Dandyism
Met Gala 2025 Preview: Defining Black Dandyism, Pharrell, A$AP Rocky, Colman Domingo As Co-Chairs, & More
The hype around the 2025 Met Gala, scheduled for May 5, can only be met with excitement and curiosity, and it’s because of the theme.
This year, the rich and famous attending have been asked to honor “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” an ode of sorts to the book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.
It was written by Monica Miller, professor and chair of Africana Studies at Barnard College. Miller also serves as guest curator, while Andrew Bolton remains curator in charge. Making it even more meaningful is that it’s the first time since 2003’s “Men in Skirts” that the exhibition will be focused on menswear.
Vogue expects the exhibit will “feature garments, paintings, photographs, and more — all exploring the indelible style of Black men in the context of dandyism, from the 18th century through present day.”
Since the theme’s announcement, the word ‘Dandyism’ has been thrust into pop culture. If you’re still confused about what it means, it’s just a man who takes the utmost pride in his appearance, whether grooming or ensuring he always leaves home with a fit on.
So when it comes to representing that theme, the Met enlists some of the most dapper dudes around as co-chairs to help out Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, like actor Colman Domingo, racecar driver Lewis Hamilton, rapper A$AP Rocky, and musician and Louis Vuitton men’s creative director Pharrell Williams. Los Angeles Laker LeBron James has also been tapped as an honorary co-chair.
Colman Domingo never misses when it comes to red carpet looks, but when speaking to Vogue, he really appreciated the small details, even being surprised at the sight of Black mannequins when preparing while prepping.
“I am a Black man who loves style, loves tailoring, and it struck me that I had never seen images like that—of myself, saying, I belong in these clothes,” he said. “I always had to look for a vision outside of myself.”
He’s got one of the most anticipated Met Gala looks, and sent Wintour a preview of the night’s threads, which she reportedly called a “work of art.”
Pharrell, who’s played an integral part in men’s high fashion in recent years thanks to Louis Vuitton’s appointment, also anticipates that the event will hold a lot of meaning for Black people.
“It’s going to be a very impactful, beautiful night where we celebrate the color Black,” the music producer said during his appearance on The Run-Through With Vogue podcast. “We celebrate the things that come from that color. We celebrate the mentality. We celebrate the plight. We celebrate the progress and the success. And we celebrate the potential.”
The Black representation just begins there, as Vogue further assures that music, fashion, and sports will be seen during fashion’s biggest night. So the likes of Simone Biles, Angel Reese, Tyla, Usher, Janelle Monáe, Ayo Edebiri, and Regina King, fashion luminaries Grace Wales Bonner, Dapper Dan, Edward Enninful, and Olivier Rousteing, among others, will be part of the host committee.
Stay tuned to social media to catch all the celebs’ looks, and remember that you can visit the exhibit through October 26.
See social media’s reaction to the announcement of the theme below.
