With the 2025 Met Gala kicking off next Monday, we just want to give certain celebrities attending the event a reminder that its official dress code - “tailored for you” - might not be tailored for them specifically, because this year’s Met is about celebrating and spotlighting Black identities.
With the theme of the Met Gala’s annual exhibition being “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” and the dress code similarly stating “tailored for you,” attendees need to not only bring insanely sharp, tailored fits, but an awareness of the cultural heritage behind them. Put simply, this is not a Met Gala year to show up having done zero research.
Rooted in Black identity, the 2025 Met Gala’s theme explores the Black dandy as its subject, looking at the significance of style and clothing on Black identities in the diaspora. The theme is inspired by co-curator and professor of Africana Studies at Columbia Monica Miller’s 2009 book ‘Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity’.
Dandyism is a cultural and style movement that started out in 18th century Britain. A dandy is a man with a luxurious lifestyle that prioritises opulence, elegance and good taste and physical appearance. Modern-day examples include André 3000 and his camp fits, Prince in his purple velvet and ruffles, or Billy Porter’s excellently curated style.
Knowing this, for non-Black attendees of the Met Gala, doing the research is absolutely essential. We’d suggest turning to pages of a few books, and also looking into the works of a few incredible Black designers including Virgil Abloh, Jeffrey Banks, Martine Rose, Christopher John Rogers, Maximilian Davis, Wales Bonner, Pharrell, and plenty more.
If we see any Met Gala guests “looking Black Dandyism right in the eye” Karlie Kloss style we’re shutting the whole thing down.
Featured image via Bottega Veneta©
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