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Superfine: Turning the Met Gala into the Men’s Gala
It’s all about the boys.
For the 昀椀rst time in 20 years, the 昀椀rst Monday in May will
exclusively feature men’s fashion alone. The theme for
the Costume Institute’s Gala is “Super昀椀ne: Tailoring Black
Style.” The supporting exhibit will be on display at the
Metropolitan Museum of Art from May 10 to October 26,
2025.
The focus is on the sartorial and political fashion
movement called Black Dandyism. Inspired by the book
Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of
Black Diasporic Identity, it's author Monica Miller serves
as the show’s guest curator.
The Black Dandy will be portrayed through a range
of garments and accessories, drawings and prints,
paintings, photographs, 昀椀lm excerpts and more. The
narratives will show Black Dandyism as a phenomenon
mirroring issues of power and race in Black culture. It
goes deeper than clothing, into a political statement.
The Gala’s co-chairs are Pharrell Williams, A$AP Rocky,
race driver Lewis Hamilton, Colman Domingo and
honorary chair LeBron James. The exhibit will include
menswear from about 30 contemporary Black designers,
including Grace Wales Bonner, who has collaborated with
Adidas and Dior, Pharrell Williams and his designs for
Louis Vuitton, the late Virgil Abloh from his time at Louis
Vuitton and Olivier Rousteing at Balmain.
Patrick McDonald, Dandy of New York @Rose Callahan
Iké Udé’s dandy-inspired self portraits are telling touches of
expressing one’s self with grace and attitude. Menswear is now
not only 昀氀uid and 昀氀owing but imbued with feminine touches.
It’s a form of dressing that allows the male wearer to look the
way he wants, and in the best way possible.
Self-proclaimed Dandy of New York, Patrick McDonald, sporting
drawn on high, arched brows and a beauty-mark inspired by an
experience with Elizabeth Taylor, once said, "There's no excuse
for not dressing well.”
Indeed.
Louis Vuitton, American Western
Dandy tailored suit
Thom Browne, tailored suit,
shown with handbag.
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