The 2025 Met Gala, held in New York City on 5 May, will shine a bold spotlight on Black style and menswear with the theme ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.’
This theme is inspired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute spring exhibition of the same name.
THE GALA AND MENSWEAR
It marks the first time in over 20 years that the Met’s main exhibition focuses exclusively on menswear. It will also notably centre Black identity and Black designers.
The dress code, ‘Tailored for You,’ invites guests to interpret the theme through suits and tailored looks in all shapes, sizes, and colours, according to CBS.
Complex Editor-in-Chief Aria Hughes predicts a diverse array of styles, from archival pieces by Black designers like Patrick Kelly to contemporary takes by designers such as Grace Wales Bonner.
Hughes explains, “It’s someone who wants to use clothes as armour to impact how people perceive them and fight stereotypes rooted in racism”.
THE MET GALA CO-CHAIRS
This year’s co-chairs include Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, and Vogue’s Anna Wintour, with LeBron James as honorary chair.
A host committee of 25 stars also supports the event, who emphasise the cultural significance of the theme.
Richardson states, “Our style isn’t just what we wear – it’s how we move, how we own our space, how we tell our story without saying a word”.
FASHION STYLING
The exhibition and gala draw from Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.
It traces Black dandyism from the 18th century to today.
Dandyism, once aristocratic, evolved into a powerful form of self-expression and resistance for Black people. This was especially so during the post-Emancipation period of the Harlem Renaissance.
The exhibition explores this rich history through garments, photographs, paintings, and archival materials. These include pieces worn by civil rights leaders and Black cultural icons.
THE MET GALA THEME
The theme celebrates how Black identity, style, and self-fashioning have shaped global culture and challenges stereotypes through sartorialexpression.
As the Met Gala returns with this powerful theme, expect a dazzling display of tailored elegance and cultural storytelling.
It’s a celebration of heritage and innovation, honouring Black style as a form of empowerment and artistry.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE THEME FOCUSING ON BLACK MENSWEAR THIS YEAR?
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