We linked up with Bentley Motors and Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London to give five CSM BA Fashion graduates one challenge: reimagine ‘Black Dandyism’, the cultural movement behind this year’s Met Gala theme — “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” The five graduate designers have all been tasked with designing a piece themed around the world’s biggest annual party, through the lens of Bentley’s Bentayga Atelier Edition luxury and craftsmanship. So, what will that look like? Let’s get into it.
In case you don’t know Black Dandyism, it’s more than a trend — it’s a part of history. In order to break it down, first we need to talk about what “dandyism” means. Coming from the word “dandy,” it refers to a man who puts a huge amount of pride into their personal appearance and grooming — “dandyism” is just the style or conduct of a dandy. ‘Black Dandyism’ specifically came about when African-European men in the 18th century combined the menswear trends of the time with African patterns.
From the self-emancipated dandies who started the style back in the 1700s, to the fresh dressers who rep the aesthetic today, the theme is about timeless style. So what better brand to reference than Bentley? Rooted in perfect tailoring and rich heritage, Black Dandyism perfectly complements Bentley’s values of cutting-edge innovation and luxurious craftsmanship. With all of that in mind (along with the fact that it’s got to be fit for the global stage), the five graduates have all been tasked to create a garment inspired by Bentley’s “Bentayga Atelier Edition,” weaving in the Bentayga Atelier’s innovation and craftsmanship alongside this year’s Met Gala theme.
Before starting a design project this big, you’ve obviously got to check out the fabrics you’re using first, so all of the graduates were taken on an exclusive trip to the Bentley factory in Crewe, UK for the project kick-off to get a detailed look at the fabric off-cuts in person, and develop an understanding of the craftsmanship that goes into making the brand’s prestigious cars.
The brief also requires that our five graduates all align their designs with Bentley’s commitment to sustainability — going plastic-neutral and having reduced the environmental impact of their factory by 75% in 2025. Having pride in the fact that every aspect of their cars integrates their pillar of always pushing for luxury and innovation, their fabric off-cuts reflect that in everything from diamond brushed aluminium to premium hides of the highest quality.
The five graduates taking part have to follow the same sustainability standards and be tactical about what materials they use for their designs, too, making sure they specify exact measurements, quantities and colour details.
The final designs will then be critiqued by a star-studded panel of judges that includes founder and CEO of Culted Pavel Dler, BA fashion course leader at CSM Sarah Gresty, Head of CMF design & bespoke Andrea Jensen, Supriya LeLe (Designer) and stylist/influencer Wisdom Kaye. They’ll be judged on typical criteria like originality, craftsmanship, and technical execution, as well as the connection to ‘Black Dandyism’ and the Bentayga Atelier Edition Project.
It’s a massive opportunity for emerging designers to really get the recognition they deserve, so tap in to keep up to date with the project.
To discover more about the Bentayga Atelier Edition, click here.
Featured image via CULTED©
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