The Metropolitan Museum of Art has announced the theme for this year's Met Gala, scheduled for May: 'Tailored for You.' This theme aligns with the focus of the accompanying exhibit, 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,' which will delve into the history of Black style in menswear over the centuries.
The Costume Institute at the Met has revealed a star-studded host committee for the event, including a diverse array of celebrities from various fields such as sports, film, music, literature, and fashion. The gala hosts, along with Vogue editor Anna Wintour, will be joined by luminaries like athletes Simone Biles and Sha’Carri Richardson, filmmakers Spike Lee and Regina King, musicians Usher and Janelle Monáe, and fashion figures Dapper Dan and Olivier Rousteing.
Celebrity chef Kwame Onwuachi will curate the menu for the gala, which serves as a major fundraiser for the Costume Institute. Last year's event raised over $26 million. The exhibit, inspired by Monica L. Miller's book 'Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity,' will run for six months, longer than previous shows.
'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style' will explore Black dandyism from the 18th century to the present day, showcasing how Black individuals have used fashion to shape their identities. The exhibit will feature 12 sections, each representing a characteristic of 'dandy' style, such as ownership, freedom, heritage, and cosmopolitanism.
Notable artists like Torkwase Dyson and Iké Udé will contribute to the exhibit design, creating monumental sculptures and highlighting historical figures like Julius Soubise, one of the first Black dandies in 18th-century London.
The Met Gala is set to take place on May 5, with the 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style' exhibit open to the public from May 10 to Oct. 26. The Met hopes to offer a cultural and historical exploration of Black style through the lens of dandyism, celebrating the rich heritage and creativity of Black fashion.
