On May 5, the fashion industry’s most anticipated event—the Met Gala—returns to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The 2025 theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” explores the intersection of fashion and identity through the lens of Black dandyism, offering a powerful and thought-provoking narrative.
Dress Code: “Tailored for You” — A Celebration of Personal Craft
In keeping with the exhibition’s focus on menswear and tailoring, the 2025 Met Gala dress code is “Tailored for You.” Guests are encouraged to express their individuality through custom-crafted ensembles that reflect their identity, values, and personal aesthetic. How each attendee interprets this brief will be one of the night’s key fascinations.
A Star-Studded Host Lineup and the Return of the Host Committee
This year’s Met Gala will be co-chaired by an impressive lineup: Anna Wintour, Pharrell Williams, A$AP Rocky, Lewis Hamilton, and actor Colman Domingo. NBA icon LeBron James will serve as honorary chair.
Marking a revival of past traditions, the 2025 event also sees the return of the Host Committee, which includes notable figures such as André 3000, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Dapper Dan, Spike Lee, and Usher—each representing diverse voices from fashion, arts, and culture.
How to Watch: Livestream Coverage of the Red Carpet
On the night of the event, Vogue will launch its official livestream starting at 6:00 PM EST, delivering real-time coverage of the Met Gala’s red carpet glamour. The livestream will be hosted by Teyana Taylor, La La Anthony, and Ego Nwodim, and will be available across Vogue’s digital platforms and YouTube channel.
Spotlight on Black Dandyism: A Landmark Exhibition
Coinciding with this year’s theme, the exhibition “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” will open to the public on May 10 at The Met. This groundbreaking show delves into the historical and cultural impact of fashion within the African diaspora, tracing the aesthetic evolution of Black dandyism across generations.
Curated in collaboration with guest curator Monica L. Miller, professor of Africana Studies at Columbia University and author of Slaves to Fashion, the exhibition presents Black dandyism not merely as a sartorial choice but as a powerful aesthetic and political act. Her vision is deeply woven into the exhibition’s framework.
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Exhibition Structure: 12 Sections Tracing the Essence of Black Style
The exhibition is structured around 12 thematic sections, each reflecting a core aspect of Black dandyism, such as Ownership, Presence, and Distinction. These themes offer a multifaceted lens through which to explore the cultural and aesthetic richness of Black style.
One of the most striking sections is Jook, a space dedicated to the influence of zoot suit culture. Through music, dance, and hedonism, this section immerses visitors in the expressive power of leisure and its impact on Black fashion identity.
In Cosmopolitanism, menswear pieces designed by Pharrell Williams and the late Virgil Abloh for Louis Vuitton are on display. These works reinterpret Black dandyism through a contemporary, global lens, highlighting its evolving nature in today’s fashion landscape.
The exhibition space itself is elevated through artistic collaborations. Torkwase Dyson brings a bold architectural approach with immersive installations, while sculptor Tanda Francis contributes custom mannequins that evoke the spirit of African artistry, transforming the space into an artwork in its own right.
Photographer Tyler Mitchell also lends his vision to the exhibition by creating the official catalog. His art direction seamlessly weaves together visual storytelling and conceptual clarity, enhancing the show’s overall aesthetic cohesion.
Through the lens of fashion, Superfine invites dialogue between past and present, repression and expression, individuality and society. For those who attend, it offers a profound encounter with the depth of Black style and the enduring power of cultural legacy.
Exhibition Details
Title: Superfine: Tailoring Black Style
Dates: May 10 – October 26, 2025
Venue: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Supporters: Louis Vuitton, Instagram, Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation, among others
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