The exhibition Superfine: Tailoring Black Style at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art is a profound exploration of Black dandyism and its influence on shaping Black identities across the Atlantic world. Inspired by Monica L. Miller’s book Slaves to Fashion, the show traces the historical and cultural evolution of Black style from the 18th century to the present day.

Organized into twelve thematic sections—including “Possession,” “Cosmopolitanism,” and “Heritage”—the exhibition showcases garments, accessories, photographs, and artworks that highlight both the aesthetic and political dimensions of Black dandyism. Exhibits include historical pieces like the 1940s zoot suit, alongside contemporary designs by Virgil Abloh and Pharrell Williams.

Artist Torkwase Dyson contributed to the exhibition’s design with her signature geometric forms, creating a spatial environment that merges architecture with abstract art. Inspired by personal items of Frederick Douglass, such as his coat and hat, Dyson integrated these elements into one of her characteristic trapezoidal structures, giving the exhibition a deeper historical and emotional resonance.

Superfine: Tailoring Black Style opens to the public on May 10, 2025, and runs through October 26, 2025—offering a unique opportunity to explore the global impact of Black dandyism on fashion and culture.

Photos Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art