Next spring’s Met Gala may be canceled.
After the fashion world, raised eyebrows shrank and tongues wagging circulation Some revealed a selection of what they found A potentially problematic topic for the 2025 event,
“Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”, the magazine said in an Instagram post, “will take the Black Dandy as its subject, examining the importance of clothing and style to the construction of Black identity in the Atlantic diaspora.”
LeBron James will serve as honorary chair. Co-chairs will include Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams and Vogue’s Anna Wintour.
Armchair fashion reviewers were quick to submit their reviews in the comments section and elsewhere on social media platforms immediately following the unexpected announcement.
“Appropriation sounds like a recipe for disaster… Stylists, study!” An amateur writer sighed.
“Am I the only one who is nervous about this?” Another shared. “A nice topic but let’s hope no one appropriates cultures.”
One of fashion’s biggest nights is said to have been conceived by Monica L., professor and chair of Africana Studies at Barnard College and Columbia University. Miller, who wrote the book, “Slaves of Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.”
In the weighty book, she establishes Black Dandyism as both an aesthetic and political construct, examining the figure of the Black Dandy from its earliest depictions in 18th-century art to modern-day representations on the runway and in films. Has been.
miller Described as displaying black dandyism As a concept that would “show how black people went from being enslaved and styled as luxury objects, acquired like any other indicator of wealth and status, to autonomous self-fashioning individuals who A global trendsetter.”
Vogue said the exhibition accompanying the event will include costumes, paintings, photographs and videos – all exploring the style of black men.
Despite the obvious efforts to center Black fashion, many expressed fear that the well-intentioned effort could easily fail – as the biggest names in American pop culture potentially misinterpret the concept.
A concerned fan commented, “Applause…let’s just pray no one shows up in blackface.”
“There’s plenty of time to get this topic right, I wonder how other ethnicities would style it and not be culturally appropriate or offensive/stereotypical,” thought another.
Someone else thought, “I’m sad that so few African American fashion houses will be able to showcase their art.”
Still, many said they can’t wait to see their favorite fashion plates serving up the eye-catching look.
“Zendaya Finna eat this,” one joked, adding that the “exciting” theme was “we deserve to see.”
“It’s fantastic. This is classic. This is history,” shouted another.
“Black style has had an immeasurable influence on global fashion identity and professionalism throughout history. It’s too late for this Met Gala theme,” another complimented.
Next year will be the first exclusive look at the men since 2003’s “Men in Skirts.”
The Met Gala will return to Manhattan on May 5, 2025, and the dress code will be announced in early 2025.
Museum-goers will have the opportunity to view the Superfine exhibition from May 6 to October 26, 2025.
