A Historic Focus on Menswear and Black Style
For the first time in over two decades, the 2025 Met Gala exhibit will center exclusively on menswear, with a special emphasis on Black style throughout history. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has set the dress code as “Tailored for You,” aligning with the exhibit’s exploration of suiting and fashion evolution.
Celebrities Leading the Fashion Celebration
The Met’s Costume Institute announced a revived tradition of a “host committee”—a group of high-profile figures joining the previously revealed gala hosts: Pharrell Williams, Lewis Hamilton, Colman Domingo, A$AP Rocky, and LeBron James. Anna Wintour, who oversees the gala, remains a key figure in the event.
The new committee features an array of influential names, including athletes Simone Biles, Jonathan Owens, Angel Reese, and Sha’Carri Richardson; filmmakers Spike Lee, Tonya Lewis Lee, and Regina King; actors Ayo Edebiri, Audra McDonald, and Jeremy Pope; musicians Doechii, Usher, Tyla, Janelle Monáe, and André 3000; author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie; and fashion icons such as Dapper Dan, Edward Enninful, and Olivier Rousteing.
A Grand Showcase: “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”
This year’s exhibit, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” will be open to the public from May 10 to October 26, running longer than previous displays. Inspired by Monica L. Miller’s book, Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity, the exhibit will examine Black style from the 18th century to today through the lens of dandyism.
Barnard professor and guest curator Monica L. Miller, alongside Met curator Andrew Bolton, explained that dandyism has historically ranged from precise tailoring to flamboyant expression. The exhibit will showcase how Black individuals have used fashion to redefine identity and challenge societal norms.
Among the artistic contributors is Torkwase Dyson, whose “hypershapes” will create monumental sculptural zones. Consultant Iké Udé will curate a section highlighting Julius Soubise, one of the first Black dandies of 18th-century London. The exhibit will be divided into 12 sections representing key elements of dandyism, including ownership, presence, distinction, disguise, freedom, and cosmopolitanism.
A Night of Fashion, Culture, and Celebration
The Met Gala, set for May 5, will serve as the grand kickoff for the exhibition. Celebrity chef Kwame Onwuachi will craft the menu for the star-studded fundraiser, which last year generated a record-breaking $26 million.
“The theme this year is not only timely but speaks to our rich culture that should always be widely celebrated,” said Usher. Richardson added, “Our style isn’t just what we wear—it’s how we move, how we own our space, how we tell our story without saying a word.”
With its emphasis on Black style’s historical and cultural significance, this year’s Met Gala and exhibit promise to be both a fashion spectacle and a meaningful tribute to centuries of style evolution.
