The influence of black culture on fashion can be seen often, whether it be on the runway or in everyday life. Celebrities are some of the most influential people when it comes to fashion trends. At the same time, they also pull their inspiration from somewhere, and often, it comes from black culture and fashion. The history behind black fashion is complex and deep, with ties back to the 18th century. This year, the theme of the Met Gala is “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” which looks to highlight the role that black culture has played in fashion for hundreds of years.
The Met Gala is an annual fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York City, known for its exclusive guest list and extravagant red carpet fashion. Each year, the event follows a specific theme that guests interpret through their couture outfits, blending art, fashion and celebrity culture. This year, the Met Gala is set to occur on Monday, May 5.
This year’s theme finds its roots in dandyism, which is a style of dress that draws from traditional African and European styles. It came about in the 18th century as a result of the Atlantic slave trade, colonialism and imperialism. Dandyism, while a fashion movement, also served as a rebellion against categories of race and class. It aided in the formation of the Black identity through style and clothing.
This is discussed further in the 2009 book “Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity” by Monica Miller. Miller is a chair and professor of African Studies at Barnard College and serves as a guest curator for this year’s Met Gala. In her book, Miller states that black dandyism is “a strategy and a tool to rethink identity, to reimagine the self in a different context. To really push a boundary.” Black dandyism is a rebellion against the status quo, with black individuals using fashion as a form of self-expression, going all the way back to the 1700s.
Dandyism began with a focus on the fashion of black men, with the “black dandy” being a term used in the 18th century. This can be defined as a man who lived for fashion and aesthetics and uses this self-expression as a form of rebellion against colonialism and assimilation.
A common conversation and concern around the Gala’s theme is the way in which it will be executed by attendees. With a theme focused on honoring the influence that black people have had on fashion, people want to ensure that the way in which people dress honors and respects the history around fashion, black individuals and dandyism; it can be easy to fall into stereotypes when trying to dress for the theme.
The hosts for the event will be A$AP Rocky, Coleman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, Pharraell Williams, and Anna Wintour serving as co-chairs, with Lebron James as an honorary chair. A few guests expected at this year’s Gala include Doechii, Janelle Monae, Tyla, Usher, Damson Idris, Ayo Edredi and Simone Biles.
The theme for the Met Gala this year is very different from previous years and has the potential to tastefully showcase the influence of dandyism and black culture on fashion. However, it can also be a slippery slope between what is respectful and what is stereotypical.