You might think the most important red carpet of the year belongs to some major film or television awards show... but you’d be wrong. The most anticipated event in the fashion world occurs on the first Monday of May: the Met Gala. Far more than just a glamorous party, it’s an unmissable affair that fuses art, culture, philanthropy, and fashion at its highest level. Held at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, the evening marks the official opening of the Costume Institute’s new exhibition and serves as its main fundraising event.

In 2025, the Met once again became the epicenter of global glamour, gathering the world’s most influential celebrities in dazzling—and often avant-garde—looks, all inspired by a shared theme. This year’s exhibition is titled “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” and will be open to the public from May 10 through October 26.

Inspired by the influential book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity by Monica L. Miller, the exhibit explores how Black men’s fashion has historically served as a tool for resistance, pride, and cultural expression from the 18th century to today.What makes this theme so compelling is the pivotal role that Black men have played in the evolution of fashion. To truly understand the concept behind this year’s Met Gala and exhibit, we need to start with a keyword: dandy. Originating in 18th-century Europe, the term described middle-class men who embraced a refined lifestyle—social life, fine dining, art, and above all, sartorial elegance.

Over time, Black dandyism emerged as a powerful reinterpretation of this European ideal.From its Victorian roots through the 20th century, Black dandy style not only reflected shifts in fashion but also in political and social contexts. After the abolition of slavery in the United States and during the Reconstruction era, many newly freed Black men were targeted and persecuted as they sought to integrate into a deeply unequal society. In that period, clothing took on symbolic meaning—speaking to status, dignity, and identity.

In the decades that followed, Black dandyism continued to evolve. The 1970s brought the flamboyant gangster suits of Blaxploitation cinema; the 1980s embraced Miami Vice-inspired relaxed silhouettes and pastel tones; the 1990s saw the rise of street luxury with monogrammed ensembles from Harlem icon Dapper Dan; and in the 2000s, designers like Ozwald Boateng redefined the classic suit with sharp tailoring and a modern sensibility that celebrated African heritage.

The Met Gala 2025 dress code, “Tailored for You,” was an open invitation to reinterpret the historical elegance of Black dandies who dressed to resist racial oppression, the red carpet delivered a spectacular range of looks: custom suits from Black designers across the U.S. and the African diaspora, luxurious fabrics, precise cuts, pinstripes, top hats, vibrant colors, and a profound respect for Black artistry and identity.

Among the most anticipated guests were major cultural figures including Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, Pharrell Williams, A$AP Rocky, LeBron James, Simone Biles, Dapper Dan, Spike Lee, Doechii, Ayo Edebiri, Edward Enninful, Janelle Monáe, Angel Reese, Sha’Carri Richardson, Olivier Rousteing, Tyla, and Usher—all of whom masterfully embodied the spirit of dandyism with boldness and style.

The exhibit is divided into 12 thematic sections—Ownership, Presence, Distinction, Disguise, Freedom, Champion, Respectability, Jook, Heritage, Beauty, Cool, and Cosmopolitanism—and features an extensive range of pieces spanning from the 18th century to today: garments, paintings, photographs, accessories, texts, and even films.

Notably, for the first time in two decades, the exhibition will focus exclusively on menswear—offering a profound look into its role within African American history. This marks the first Costume Institute exhibition entirely dedicated to racialized designers. It arrives when conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion are more urgent than ever. We know this for certain: Black dandies have existed—and resisted—for over a century, leaving an indelible mark on fashion history. This year’s gala wasn’t just a celebration of style, but a living tribute to the countless Black dandies who have transformed fashion through elegance, power, and identity.

Photo Credits: Getty Images

‍