As announced by Vogue Magazine alongside the MET, the theme for the 2025 Met Gala, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, will celebrate the influence of Black men’s fashion through the ages, and will explore the intersection of style, identity, and Black dandyism. The event aims at shining a spotlight on the sartorial expressions of Black men from the 18th century to the present day.
The theme was inspired by the book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity by Monica L. Miller, a professor and chair of Africana Studies at Barnard College. Her work delves into the historical and cultural significance of Black dandyism, positioning it as a powerful tool of self-expression and resistance throughout history.
Curated by Miller herself and Andrew Bolton, head curator of the Met Costume Institute, the exhibit will feature an array of garments, paintings, photographs, and more, illustrating the evolution of Black men’s style and its cultural impact. The exhibition will provide an immersive exploration of “the importance of clothing and style to the formation of Black identities in the Atlantic diaspora,” showcasing the ways in which Black men have used fashion to reclaim and redefine their place in society.
Alongside Anna Wintour, the event will be co-chaired by actor Colman Domingo, Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton, rapper A$AP Rocky, and musician and Louis Vuitton men’s Creative Director, Pharrell Williams.