icon phone icon search icon facebook icon twitter icon instagram icon linkedin icon tiktok icon weather
on air now
NOW PLAYING
Algoa FM Breakfast with Wayne, Lee and Charlie T
Listen Live
up next
Up Next
Roch-Lè Bloem
on air now
NOW PLAYING
Algoa FM Breakfast with Wayne, Lee and Charlie T
Listen Live
up next
Up Next
Roch-Lè Bloem
 

From the Cut to the Culture: The Met Gala's Ode to Black Dandyism

06 May 2025 | Muano Nethengwe
Met Gala co-chair Colman Domingo on the carpet at the 2025 Met Gala.

instagram/@voguemagazine


Fashion’s biggest night returned with a theme that felt intentional and overdue. The 2025 Met Gala celebrated Black fashion and art history under the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” inspired by Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.

This year’s exhibition spotlighted Black influence in fashion — especially in tailoring — and unpacked the cultural significance of dandyism in Black identity. Twelve curated looks were displayed, each representing a key element of dandy style and expression.

Drawing from Zora Neale Hurston’s essay “Characteristics of Negro Expression,” the exhibition broke down dandyism into core themes: Ownership, Presence, Distinction, Disguise, Freedom, Champion, Respectability, and Jook. Each one showed how fashion has long been used by Black creatives as both armor and art form.

The “Superfine” section of the exhibit included works from Black artists like Tyler Mitchell and Tanda Francis. Through garments, photography, and paintings, it traced Black dandy style from the 18th century to today — highlighting how it’s evolved without ever losing its edge.

This year’s Met Gala was co-chaired by Pharrell Williams, Colman Domingo, A$AP Rocky, Lewis Hamilton, and, as always, Anna Wintour.

The dress code — Tailored For You — placed menswear and precision tailoring at the center. It encouraged guests to bring personality into structure. South African star Tyla and rapper Doechii, both on the host committee, stood out for interpreting the theme with clear intention.

The red carpet featured dandelions — a subtle but effective nod to the theme. The fashion itself leaned into reference and reverence. Brian Tyree Henry and Edvin Thompson were among those who paid tribute to the late André Leon Talley, a creative force whose impact on fashion still resonates.

Overall, 2025 gave us one of the strongest Met Galas in recent memory — thoughtful, stylish, and culturally grounded. Some would even say it’s the best we’ve seen since 2018’s Heavenly Bodies.

Here are some of the top looks from the 2025 Met Gala:

1. Janelle Monaé in custom Thom Browne

 

2. André 3000 as his album cover

 

3. Doja Cat in custom Marc Jacobs

 

4. BabyFace in custom Laquan Smith

 

5. Teyana Taylor in custom Marc Jacobs

 

6. ICON Diana Ross on steps of the Met

 

7. Met co-chair, Colman Domingo in custom Valentino

 

8. Fan Favourite - Brian Tyree Henry in Orange Culture Nigeria by Adebayo Oke-Lawal

9. Lauryn Hill at her first-ever Met Gala

 

10. Cardi B and Jodie Turner-Smith in custom Burberry

 

Honourable Mentions:

 

Nicki Minaj in custom Thom Browne 

Kim Kardashian in custom Chrome Hearts

Tyla in custom Jacquemus

Dapper Dan

Shaboozey

Tracee Ellis-Ross in custom Marc Jabobs

When the Met gets it right, it does more than dress a carpet — it reflects culture back to itself. And this year, Black style wasn’t referenced, borrowed, or nodded to. It was centred, celebrated, and given the space it has always deserved. From the curatorial choices to the tailoring on the carpet, the 2025 Met Gala showed what happens when fashion honours the origins of its own brilliance. It wasn’t just about suiting — it was about sovereignty. This wasn’t a costume. This was a call to remember who set the standard.

__

Most Read

Arrest made in murder of Bay mother Vanessa van Rensburg
Arrest made in murder of Bay mother Vanessa van Rensburg

Arrest made in murder of Bay mother Vanessa van Rensburg
Biker killed in collision on N2 near Baywest
Biker killed in collision on N2 near Baywest

Biker killed in collision on N2 near Baywest
Damning evidence led in Krisley Dirker murder trial
Damning evidence led in Krisley Dirker murder trial

Damning evidence led in Krisley Dirker murder trial

Top Pick

ALGOA FM NEWS EXCLUSIVE
ALGOA FM NEWS EXCLUSIVE

ALGOA FM NEWS EXCLUSIVE

Journey to Justice, an exclusive podcast on the life of Vicki Terblanche, a slain Gqeberha mother.
Motoring with Naresh Maharaj
Motoring with Naresh Maharaj

Motoring with Naresh Maharaj

Dive into the expansive world of motoring with Naresh Maharaj.
The Nature Guy
The Nature Guy

The Nature Guy

Join Mark Marshall as he shares his extraordinary encounters with everything from bees to reptiles i