Superfine Style: The Met Gala’s Celebration of Black Fashion and Influence
Harlem Renaissance. Photo by Karl Schultz via Flickr
The 2025 Met Gala theme, introduced back in October, is “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” a powerful tribute to the influence of Black culture on fashion. Inspired by Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book “Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity,” this year’s theme explores the concept of the Black Dandy, an African American man who reinterprets European style to establish his own identity through fashion.
For the first time in 20 years, the Met Gala spotlights menswear, giving long-overdue recognition to the craftsmanship and artistry of Black men in fashion. The exhibition will showcase the evolution of Black Dandyism, from the 18th century, when former slaves used fashion as a form of resistance, to the 20th century, as the style transformed with movements like the Harlem Renaissance.
To celebrate Black culture, several contemporary Black designers will be featured at the event. Brooklyn-based designer Edvin Thompson, founder of Theophilio, blends his Jamaican heritage with New York City’s urban streetwear. His use of bold colors and silhouettes highlights the vibrancy of Jamaica’s dancehall scene, celebrating Thompson’s culture and background.
Much like Thompson, Grace Wales Bonner is another designer who embraces her rich Afro-Caribbean heritage, blending it with the luxury of European fashion. Her work as a fashion designer is recognized for being not only strikingly beautiful but also rich with symbolic motifs that represent Black culture.
From her use of cowrie shells—symbols of wealth and spirituality in African history—to her nods to Black figures like James Baldwin and Derek Walcott, Wales Bonner’s presence at this year’s Met Gala feels not just fitting but essential. Her attention to detail and ability to create a message with clothing aligns seamlessly with the theme of Black Dandyism and the power that fashion holds.
LaQuan Smith, who launched his brand at age 21, has been recognized by numerous celebrities and fashion icons such as Rihanna, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga. His pieces are known for embracing femininity and invoking a sense of sensuality through clothing.
Inspired by his grandmother, who taught him how to sew at a young age, and by the powerful women he dresses, Smith’s designs at the 2025 Met Gala are sure to stand out. His work as a designer emphasizes the versatility of Black fashion as it evolves for the 21st century.
Many celebrities are expected to attend the Met Gala this year on May 5, with several Black icons serving as co-chairs, including Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams and honorary chair LeBron James. As prominent Black men in contemporary society, these celebrities have the opportunity to make a statement with their looks and fully embody the theme of Black Dandyism.
We can expect to see a blend of vintage and modern styles, with inspiration drawn from the zoot suits of the 1930s and 1940s, an iconic image of mid-20th-century Black Dandyism. Well-tailored, exaggerated silhouettes and sharp lines are all likely to make an appearance.
It will be interesting to see how female celebrities interpret the theme, as it highlights menswear. They will likely make use of pantsuits and other traditionally masculine clothing items; expect wide-legged trousers, oversized blazers and bold accessories. This year’s theme invites celebrities to get creative and challenge standard ideas of gender expression, blurring lines between femininity and masculinity.
Beyond the red carpet, this year’s focus on Black style at the Met Gala comes at a time when conversations about representation and cultural influence are central in today’s society. Many people argue that ethnic traditions have inspired recent fashion trends and aren’t receiving the recognition they deserve. As more people appropriate Black culture through the use of traditionally Black hairstyles, the need for acknowledgment has become more urgent.
This year’s theme of Black Dandyism allows Black culture to be celebrated amidst these concerns, giving credit to the people and histories that made modern trends possible. It also challenges the fashion industry to recognize the influence and cultural contributions of Black designers and icons.
For centuries, people of color have used fashion as a way to express themselves and their culture. The 2025 Met Gala highlights this rich legacy, empowering Black people to assert their place in the fashion industry and the broader cultural conversation.