Superfine: Tailoring Black Style at the 2025 Met Gala
The 2025 Met Gala is set to celebrate the artistry and cultural significance of Black fashion with the Costume Institute’s exhibition, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, opening to the public on May 10 and running through October 26 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This exhibit, which inspired the evening’s iconic gala, explores centuries of Black identity through the lens of fashion, spotlighting the evolution of Black dandyism and the transformative power of style.
A Personal Connection to Style
At a press conference in New York on May 5, actor Colman Domingo shared heartfelt reflections on the origins of his own sense of style, rooted in family traditions. “I learned about style from three gentlemen and a couple of ladies in my family,” Domingo said, naming his stepfather Clarence, his father Colman, and his older brother Derek as key influences. He vividly recalled his stepfather, a floor sander by trade, who would shed his work clothes for special occasions, donning “beautiful suits, good shoes—usually a Florsheim shoe—and a long trench coat.” A sapphire pinky ring, gifted to Domingo by his mother after Clarence’s passing, remains a cherished symbol of that elegance.
Domingo’s story underscores the exhibition’s theme: fashion as a tool for self-redefinition and cultural expression. His stepfather’s transformation through tailored suits and polished shoes mirrors the broader narrative of Black dandyism, where style becomes a powerful act of identity and defiance.
The Exhibition: A Journey Through Black Fashion
Superfine: Tailoring Black Style offers a captivating exploration of Black identity through footwear and fashion, spanning historical and contemporary pieces that reflect both artistry and cultural narratives. The exhibit traces the evolution of Black style, from 19th-century refinement to modern innovation, highlighting how fashion has shaped perceptions of race and self-expression.
Historical Highlights
1830s Black Glazed Kid Leather Shoes: These flat-soled shoes, edged with silk grosgrain ribbon, were symbols of sophistication in their era. Yet, they were often caricatured, reflecting the complex interplay of race and style.
Alexandre Dumas père’s 1848 Leather Boots: Worn during a candidacy speech in France’s Yonne region, these boots, crafted by one of Paris’s finest bootmakers, were exchanged for sturdier footwear to navigate rough terrain. They embody the seamless blend of practicality and elegance that defined 19th-century Black tailoring.
Contemporary Icons
Walt Frazier’s Puma Clyde Sneakers (1970s): These iconic sneakers represent the bold individuality of Black style in the 20th century, blending sport and swagger in a way that reshaped fashion.
Martine Rose’s Leather Snout Mule (Fall 2023-24): This avant-garde piece from the British designer challenges traditional proportions, offering a playful yet profound commentary on footwear’s role in self-fashioning.
Why It Matters
The Superfine exhibition celebrates Black creativity and resilience, showcasing how fashion has been a vehicle for both personal and collective storytelling. From the polished boots of Alexandre Dumas to the boundary-pushing designs of Martine Rose, each piece reflects the ingenuity and influence of Black style across time.
As Colman Domingo’s reflections remind us, style is deeply personal yet universally resonant. It’s a legacy passed down through generations, a canvas for identity, and a testament to the enduring impact of Black culture on the world of fashion.
Plan your visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to experience Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, and join the conversation about how fashion continues to shape and reflect who we are.