The 2025 Met Gala promises to impress the world with a very special theme: “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” This year’s event will acknowledge the deep-seated history and cultural influence of fashion done by Black men, particularly emphasizing the strides of Black dandyism. Drawing on the book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity by Monica L. Miller, the event will explore exactly how Black men have harnessed style to mean throughout history through identity, creativity, and resistance-then and now-from the 18th century to the present.
Fashion as a concept dealing with black men was never about clothes; it represented a way of narrating identity and individuality, particularly in the Atlantic diaspora. From the polished, aristocratic styles of the Black dandy to the painfully cool flair of zoot suits in the 1940s, Black men have been redefining masculinity and style for centuries. Often more than not, these fashion choices were about much more than aesthetics-they were bold statements of self-expression that challenged repressive notions of identity while celebrating Black culture and heritage.
The accompanying exhibition will most likely prove to be equally fascinating. A showcase of clothes, art, and photographs that reach into the details of Black men’s fashion awaits visitors. Drawing inspiration from Zora Neale Hurston’s 1934 essay entitled “The Characteristics of Negro Expression,” the exhibition will examine the roles that music, dance, and cosmopolitanism play in Black men’s fashion.
The result will be a multilayered investigation across twelve thematic sections offering a new perspective on how Black men have used and reshaped the fashion world. It is designed to have some of the biggest names in fashion be showcased, such as that of the late Virgil Abloh, who pushed the boundaries in streetwear and high-end fashion. His work will be given pride of place, a true reflection of his innovative approach to race and identity in fashion.
Pharrell Williams, not only as a leading figure in music but also in menswear, to showcase his futuristic designs. The contributions of other key players include Grace Wales Bonner and her considered exploration of Black identity through menswear, alongside Foday Dumbuya, whose modern African expressions fleshes out the collections of the exhibition into global proportions.
Other than designers, Black men’s fashion has also played an important role in challenging traditional Western notions of style. The Black dandy, in particular, redefined what it means to be elegant, adding a layer of cultural pride to classic tailoring. The boldness, flair, and attention to detail in Black men’s fashion have made their mark on worldwide trends from Harlem to Paris, showing how imagination and identity cross in powerful ways.
The co-chairs for the 2025 Met Gala are a perfect manifestation of the theme’s spirit of risk-taking. Pharrell Williams, actor Colman Domingo, racing star Lewis Hamilton, rapper A$AP Rocky, and of course, the fashion icon herself, Anna Wintour, are to be joined by basketball legend LeBron James as honorary chair. All of these figures have made bold statements with fashion throughout their careers, and their inclusion really drives home the importance of Black men’s style in contemporary culture.
Although the official dress code for 2025 has not been issued, fashion onlookers are already making their guesses. The theme will likely attract guests into sharp tailoring, bold patterns, and expressive styles drawing from both historical and modern Black menswear. It is going to be one of those nights where elegance meets avant-garde fashion, paying respect to the iconic looks of the past while pushing the edges of style in contemporary society-as is true with past Met Galas.
The 2025 Met Gala fundraiser is on Monday, May 5, with the public exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art opening on Friday, May 10, and running through October 26, 2025. This celebration of Black men’s fashion is becoming one of the most culturally important Met Galas in recent times, a slick, sartorial tribute to the enduring legacy and influence of a worldwide set of Black menswear.
