New York, United States, (EFE).- The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) in New York unveiled its annual fashion exhibition, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, a tribute to Black dandyism and its lasting influence on the cultural identity of the African diaspora across the Americas, the Caribbean, and the UK.
The show opens on May 10 and sets the one for the highly anticipated Met Gala taking place Monday night.
The exhibition, curated by Barnard College professor and scholar of African American studies Monica Miller, explores how Black men have historically used fashion as a form of identity, resistance, and empowerment.
It features 12 themed sections, such as “Respectability”, “Heritage”, “Beauty”, and “Cosmopolitanism”, and includes a wide array of suits, portraits, photographs, and personal artifacts.
Among the highlights are a 1940s-era zoot suit, once worn by civil rights icon Malcolm X, luxury designs by Louis Vuitton, flamboyant stage wear from singer Prince, and the leather jackets associated with the Black Panther Party.
Visitors will find tailored ensembles with bold colors, pinstripes, and classic top hats or fedoras, each piece narrating a story of dignity, defiance, and creativity within Black communities throughout history.
Defying stereotypes through style
The term Black dandyism refers to a fashion-centered cultural expression that challenges imposed racial and social categories.
According to Miller, whose 2009 book inspired the exhibit, Black dandyism represents “a refusal to fit into or accept conventional identity labels.”
For many, dressing with elegance was, and still is, an act of visibility and pride in a world that often marginalizes Black identity.
“Style has always been a political statement,” reads one exhibit description, noting how fashion has served as both armor and art form in the struggle for social recognition.
The title Superfine nods to a historical wool fabric and, symbolically, to the refinement and excellence associated with the Black sartorial tradition.
Colman Domingo pays tribute to family roots
Actor Colman Domingo, one of this year’s Met Gala co-hosts, made an emotional appearance at the press preview wearing a fuchsia suit and a Kangol cap.
He paid tribute to his father, stepfather, and brother for their sense of style, and to his mother and aunt who sewed their clothes.
“They used to say: ‘You can always have style, baby. Style never costs too much,’” he recalled.
Domingo will co-host the gala alongside Louis Vuitton creative director Pharrell Williams, Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, rapper A$AP Rocky, and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who curates the event’s star-studded guest list.
Met Gala returns amid political tensions
This year’s Met Gala arrives during a politically charged climate in the United States. President Donald Trump has moved to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across federal institutions, describing them as part of a “woke” agenda.
In contrast, the Met has reaffirmed its commitment to highlighting marginalized voices.
The exhibition and gala are seen by many as a direct response to this cultural backlash.
The only public criticism came from Jack Schlossberg, grandson of John F. Kennedy and a former Vogue contributor, who called for a boycott, arguing the moment was ill-suited for celebration.
Still, the Met stands firm in using fashion as a platform for historical reckoning and cultural expression, with Superfine poised to make a lasting statement beyond the red carpet. EFE
The Met Gala raised a record 31 million dollars to benefit the Fashion Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, according to the organization a few hours before rolling out its red carpet. EFE
agr-seo/mcd
