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Met Gala 2025 Theme SHOCKS! You Won’t Believe The History!

BBG News

The red carpet styles at the 2025 Met Gala on Monday are always works of art in and of themselves.

2021 sees celebrities strutting down the red carpet in tribute to a theme steeped in rich history – “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” This exhibition delves into the cultural and historical aspects of Black fashion spanning over three centuries, focusing on Dandyism. The narrative unfolds through clothing, accessories, artwork, photography, and decorative items. Mirroring the vibrant, flamboyant nature of Black Dandyism, anticipate similar eye-catching designs gracing the red carpet this year.

Here’s what to know about Black Dandyism, the theme for the 2025 Met Gala.

What is Black Dandyism?

A person who identifies as a Black Dandy views fashion not just as an aspect of their appearance, but as a fundamental part of their lifestyle. The origins of this cultural phenomenon can be traced back to the 1700s, during the Atlantic slave trade, when it was common for well-dressed or “dandyified” servants to emerge. As Monica L. Miller, co-curator at Superfine and author of “Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity“, explains on the museum’s website, this trend was particularly significant in shaping the fashion choices within the Black diaspora.

According to Peter K. Andersson, author of “The Dandy: A People’s History of Sartorial Splendour,” Black Dandyism emerged as a means for individuals in a racist and biased society to earn fundamental respect through their unique fashion choices and self-expression. He further explains that while White Dandies have also faced rejection and ridicule, the experience of Black Dandies is often compounded by the additional hardships of racism, special treatment, and discrimination.

According to Andersson’s reference, scholar Zine Magubane explains that the bold fashion statements of Black Dandyism during the 19th century were a rejection of the “imposed quietness” that white supremacists expected from black individuals.

Black Dandyism in culture

Zoot suits, characterized by extended jacket jackets with padding on the shoulders and loose trousers, gained widespread appeal among African American men, musicians, and advocates. These suits eventually became a powerful symbol of defiance.

The Zoot Suit, which first emerged in Harlem, N.Y. during the 1930s, is often seen as the first distinctly American suit, according to Clarissa Esguerra, a curator of costume and textiles at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. This fashion trend was also adopted by other minority groups, but unfortunately, the striking designs marked Chicanos as victims of racial violence in 1940s Los Angeles, during a time when fabric was being rationed due to World War II.

Black Dandyism is not just an American phenomenon.

Simultaneously, zoot suit fashion gained prominence, so did a group of young men in Apartheid-era Johannesburg, often referred to as tsotsis, who were recognized for their preference for slim-legged pants and emulating the style of Hollywood actors from America. Meanwhile, African men in South Africa, known as swenkas, engaged in fashion contests to showcase their unique style.

Stepping into the vibrant heart of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, I found myself captivated by a unique fashion movement known as the Sapeurs, or Black Dandies. As a movie reviewer wandering through time and culture, I uncovered a story that dates back to the 70s. During this era, the children of local families ventured off to study in Paris and returned home with an infectious passion for the latest European fashion trends. This fascinating account is penned by scholar Daouda Coulibaly on The Conversation.

Black Dandyism today

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, as Vogue pointed out, Black Dandies chose custom tailoring to demonstrate their acceptance and pride. Today, they express not just survival but prosperity through vibrant colors and patterns, as Essence highlights, referencing André 3000’s green shirt with white suspenders in the “Hey Ya!” video as a prime example of a stylish Black Dandy’s exceptional attire.

As reported by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), notable modern-day Dandies in entertainment are this year’s Met Gala co-chairs A$AP Rocky, Pharrell, Colman Domingo, and CFDA committee member André 3000.

For A$AP Rocky, Dandyism represents delighting in items such as pearls, kilts, hair barrettes, furs, and Saint Laurent suits. Pharrell Williams is notable for seamlessly merging street style with high-end fashion, to the point that Louis Vuitton appointed him as a creative director.

2024 saw Oscar-nominated Colman Domingo make a bold statement at the Met Gala with his outfit – a long white cape and flowing black trousers. This unique style has been praised as challenging traditional ideas of menswear, according to the CFDA. As we eagerly await the 2025 Met Gala, we’ll get to see how other celebrities will reimagine this new approach to men’s fashion on the red carpet.

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2025-04-30 22:06

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