hen the Metropolitan Museum of Art and announced the next theme for the 2025 Met Gala— , based on scholar Monica L. Miller’s pivotal text, the reaction was one of delight—and also of trepidation. At the forefront of everyone’s mind was .
The late fashion editor, known for his revolutionary career in fashion, embodied the aesthetic and spirit of the Black Dandy. In the comments section of ’s Instagram about the announcement, many social media users called the theme a tribute to him. Others brought up , the legendary Harlem fashion designer, who brought hip-hop to luxury fashion, through his custom-made looks, as another example of Black Dandyism.
Not all users expressed joy, though. Calls for The Kardashians to be banned from the Met Gala, as well as frustration over the lack of a female co-chair, were found among the comments of fashion watchdog Instagram ’s about the announcement. In an article for , one user , “It saddens me that there will be very few African American fashion houses able to display their art.
” In recent years, efforts have been made to display Black fashion in cultural institutions throughout the United States. From 2023’s “ ” exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum to “ ” at the Fashion Institute of Technology, museums are in the process of diversifying their collections on display. According to , the curator in charge of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, diversity efforts began in the summer of 2020, in response to t.