The Met Gala 2025 theme is “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”

The exhibition is organized according to twelve characteristics of black dandyism, an organizing principle based on a 1934 essay by Zora Neale Hurston entitled “The Characteristics of Negro Expression.” The sections tell the story of the black dandy's evolution over time not only through garments and accessories, but also through a range of media, including drawings, paintings, photographs and film clips. The first – Ownership – features the livery of an enslaved person from 19th century Maryland. Jook, one of Hurston's original categories that focused on music, dance and fun, includes a pair of 1940s zoot suits; while Cosmopolitanism includes pieces designed by both Pharrell Williams and the late Virgil Abloh for men's Louis Vuitton.

“The contemporary designers featured in the exhibition are there because many of them talk about the story we tell and use it as part of their design philosophies,” emphasized Miller. In some cases they also have roots in West Africa or the Caribbean. “It was really interesting to see the show notes from Virgil Abloh and Grace Wales Bonner – they are really knowledgeable about the themes we talk about in the exhibition, (issues) having to do with race and power. which are related to immigration, slavery, colonies and colonization, empowerment, joy and aesthetics.”

For his part, Bolton believes men's fashion is in the midst of a renaissance. “This is thanks not only to black designers, but also to men of style, like the male co-chairs of our Met Gala.” This year, the co-chairs are Pharrell Williams, actor Colman Domingo, the Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, musician A$AP Rocky and Anna Wintour, with basketball star Lebron James serving as honorary co-chair. “They are all men who are not afraid to take risks with their self-expression. They use classic shapes but also remix them and break them down in new ways,” said Bolton. “I think Black men and Black designers are at the forefront of this new renaissance in men’s fashion.”

As in previous years, the exhibition will bring together a group of influential collaborators, each contributing different elements: interdisciplinary artist Torkwase Dyson will be responsible for the conceptual design of the exhibition; Tanda Francis, who creates monumental African heads and masks seen in both public and private spaces, designs custom mannequin heads made for the show; and artist Tyler Mitchell will photograph the catalog.