On the first Monday of every May, the rich, famous, and well-dressed gather in New York City for the Met Gala. The evening is a benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, the tickets are pricey, the guest-list is hyper-exclusive, and the goings-on are secret thanks to a strict no-phones policy behind the doors.
For celebrities, it is the ideal opportunity to show off exquisite and often ostentatious fashions. For the vast majority of use, it is a chance to take in and critique their interpretation of the night’s theme.
This year’s theme, entitled ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,’ will pay homage to black dandyism and the importance of clothing and style to the formation of Black identities in the Atlantic diaspora.
While 2024’s exhibition and theme, ‘Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,’ was a heady concept that played with the idea of luxury preserved and lost, this year will be a masterclass in history, impeccable taste, quality and precision.
But what is a dandy? And what can fashion fans expect to see from A-list stars on the red carpet? The theme ‘dandy’ dates back to the 18th century and refers to a style that indicates wealth, taste, and the intersection of African and European style traditions, per the Met. It embraces theatricality, risk-taking and exuberant freedom of expression.
Drawing inspiration from Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book ‘Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity,’ the exhibition is organized into 12 sections, each representing a trait that defines dandy style, according to Vogue.
The 12 sections of the exhibition are: Ownership, Presence, Distinction, Disguise, Freedom, Champion, Respectability, Jook, Heritage, Beauty, Cool and Cosmopolitanism. Jook is defined in Zora Neale Hustron’s ‘Characteristics of Negro Expression’ as ‘a space for dancing, drinking, and other leisure activities.
A fashion savant, Colman has promised he is ready to serve with his ensemble. “It’s gonna be beautiful,’ he revealed. ‘We just finalized our designs, and I think it’s going to be an epic look. If anything, I can tease that I’m playing with history. That’s all I can say.’
With the emphasis on tailoring, the Sing Sing star shared that it took six sketches to design his perfect fit.
It’s the first time that menswear has been the sole focus for a Met Gala since 2003’s “Men in Skirts.”
