It’s about time the Met Gala gave us a theme with teeth. Forget pearls and another Renaissance remix — 2025 is set to show up dressed to say something.

This year’s theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, isn’t just a tribute to fashion. It’s a love letter to Black elegance, resistance, and legacy — stitched together with needlepoint precision and centuries of cultural weight.

Still wondering what Black Dandyism actually is? Think: swagger-meets-subversion. Tailoring is used not just to impress, but to protest. From 18th-century dandies to Harlem Renaissance icons to today's red-carpet royalty, it’s a look — and a legacy.

As Monica L. Miller puts it in her book Slaves to Fashion, “Dressing wisely and well” is both a political and creative act — and this year, it’s finally getting the Met Gala treatment it deserves.

(Photo Courtesy of The Met)

Breaking Down the Theme: “Superfine – Tailoring Black Style”

So let’s break it down: Superfine doesn’t just sound fancy (though, yes, it absolutely does). Originally, it referred to a type of fine wool. But here? It’s code for precision, presence, and showing up like you own the place (because you do).

Curated by Andrew Bolton with guest curator Monica L. Miller, the theme taps into more than fashion — it's a full-on cultural thesis. The exhibit dives into 12 themes — from "Presence" and "Ownership" to "Heritage," "Cosmopolitanism," and yes, even "Cool" (reclaimed and redefined). Each one shows how Black creatives have used tailoring not just to dress, but to declare. Power? Pride? Protest? Joy? It’s all stitched into the seams.

Want to look sharp and glide through the room with quiet confidence? The Kente Gentlemen’s Miles II Double-Breasted Suit Jacket delivers for men, women, and everyone in between. It's structure, heritage, and precision all rolled into one — a look that commands the room, quietly but completely.

Basically, this isn’t just about looking sharp — it’s about reminding the world that Black style is the blueprint (even when the credits roll without our names).

Style as Protest. Style as Power.

Here’s the thing: this isn’t just a nostalgic style nod. It is a mic drop. Superfine calls out the industry while celebrating the very roots it's been quietly pulling from (yes, we're talking about all that uncredited "inspiration").

Black Dandyism isn’t a flashback — it’s happening, evolving, and unapologetically bold. And tailoring? This year, it doesn’t just show up — it shows off. Every button, lapel, and pleat carries history, pride, and intention — stitched into every seam with purpose.

Designers like Wales Bonner, Martine Rose, LaQuan Smith, and Telfar aren’t just dressing bodies — they’re storytelling through structure. From Brooklyn to Lagos, Black tailoring is rewriting the rules in real time. And the message is clear: this isn’t just fashion – it’s a legacy in motion.

Ready to channel that same fearless edge? The Ekantik Moyo Waistcoat hits the mark — crisp, classic, and quietly commanding. It’s giving protest in pleats and pride in every stitch.

The Power Lineup Bringing the Heat

Let’s talk about the hosts, because this year’s Met Gala co-chair lineup is nothing short of iconic. A$AP Rocky, Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, Pharrell Williams, and Anna Wintour are taking the reins, with LeBron James stepping in as honorary chair. Together, they represent a masterclass in global style, swagger, and cultural influence. One look at their Vogue covers and you get it: each of them brings a signature take on modern dandyism — bold, refined, and unapologetically individual.

A$AP Rocky turns everything he touches into a trend — Harlem nostalgia meets high fashion. LeBron James anchors the lineup with regal masculinity and boardroom-meets-ball-court polish. Colman Domingo gives red-carpet precision with classic-meets-bold energy. Lewis Hamilton serves sleek sophistication with a side of swagger. And Pharrell Williams? He’s the blueprint for boundary-breaking fashion (and probably coined “cool without trying”). 

Together, they don’t just wear clothes — they make statements.

Dandyism doesn’t have to shout to speak volumes. Tailoring, poise, and power wrapped in ease. Channel that cohost energy with the Abiola Olusola Crinkled Cotton Li Jacket: relaxed, refined, and quietly commanding.

The Met Exhibit: A Living Archive

Okay, but the exhibit? A full cultural serve.

Running May 10 through October 26, it’s not just racks and glass cases — it’s over 100 pieces that double as receipts — proof of Black elegance, past and present. From archival suits to modern Black royalty, the curation is tight. Picture André 3000’s fearless flair, Dandy Wellington’s vintage precision, and that one cousin who always shows up overdressed (in the best way) to brunch — sharing the same space, living proof that dandyism spans runway icons, vintage purists, and everyday style stars alike.

(Photo Courtesy of The U.S. Sun)

And then there’s Tyler Mitchell, whose work features prominently in the exhibit. His portraits don’t just document Black Dandyism — they reimagine it. Through softness, intimacy, and style grounded in joy, his images turn classic tailoring into something younger, more fluid, and deeply intentional. It’s less about posing and more about presence — a quiet, revolutionary kind of power.

(Photo Courtesy of The New York Times)

The Bigger Picture

This isn’t niche — it’s a global movement. Black Dandyism flips expectations and reminds the world who’s always been the blueprint.

At ADJOAA, this isn’t a trend — it’s the core of what we do. From designers across the African diaspora to the hands redefining modern luxury, we don’t follow. We lead.

Ready to wear the legacy? Explore the spirit of Black Dandyism at ADJOAA.

About The Author: Crystal Tan is a marketing and communication intern at ADJOAA, pursuing a bachelor’s in Global Management at Thunderbird School of Global Management, ASU.