This year’s Meta Gala theme was Superfine: Tailoring Black Style. This theme focused on dandyism and the influence of African Americans in fashion. For those of you who do not know, dandyism is a style that is focused on a refined look, but this style transcends just fashion as it represents self-expression and social rebellion. The black dandy movement was too focused on the stereotypes that African Americans faced in the 1920s.
With the refined style, they were able to reclaim agency through their fashion. The dandy movement focused primarily on African American men. Some styles you could find were long coat tails, large hats, and well-tailored suit jackets, but that was in the 20s. As agency and self-expression grew, so did the style.
Zoot suits came into fashion around the 1930s. These suits were oversized yet still tailored to perfection. Patterns and colors were also a big part of this movement, especially in the Caribbean, where dandyism first appeared.
Then, in the 1980s, the large silhouette and pronounced shoulders of the zoot suit came back in fashion, as well as hammer pants. This year, the Metropolitan Museum of Art wanted to celebrate this movement and the impact it had on the formation of black identities.
The collection and theme were inspired by the 2009 book “Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity” by Monica L. Miller. The chairs for this year’s gala were Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell William, and Anna Wintour. Additionally, LeBron James served as the honorary chair. All of these men have proven their adequacy with their fashion style and relevancy to the theme. And of course, Anna Wintour, who is the editor-in-chief of American Vogue, curates the guest list.
With 450 attendees, I will give my opinion on the top 10 guests who were the most on theme. Now for the outfits.
All of the photos I referenced are on the Vogue website.
10. Alton Mason in custom Boss
The whole outfit reminds me of the 80s. With the over-dramatic shoulder and the baggy pants. The sparkles add the tackiness of the 80s as well, I wish it were a bright color instead.
9. Ayo Edebiri in Ferragamo
The red and the leather with the coattails as scarves is so creative, and I love it.
8. Kim Kardashian in Chrome Hearts
The jewelry matches her style. The hat and cut of the vest/ top are so good. I wish there were a big fur jacket of some kind, just to kind of get the eclectic vibe of dandyism. I don’t know, I just really love this look.
7. Doja Cat in Marc Jacobs
Truly tailored to perfection, and the drama of the silhouette is amazing. I love the pattern mixing and the makeup. The shoes could kill. A lot of people liked this look.
6. Jaden Smith in Ozwald Boateng
Absolutely obsessed with the cape! Reminds me of one of the actual exhibits, a Louis Vuitton sarong-type of cape.
5. Doechii in Louis Vuitton
A kind of zoot suit shorts paired with long coat tails and a prop cigar! Yes, I literally started clapping. The pattern mixing is such a statement, this is what black dandyism is about.
4. Dynasty Ogun and Soull Ogun
Black dandyism at its finest, with a touch of personal style.
3. A$AP Rocky in AWGE
He is wearing all of his own pieces from his closet, if that tells you anything. Stunning! His hair is literal art.
2. Teyana Taylor in Ruth E. Carter
Iconic. Will go down in history for this look. It is everything the theme is. The picture of the back of the outfit is amazing, the silhouette and the hat!
1. Janelle Monáe in Thom Browne
No words. Perfect representation. And when looking at their past looks, we can tell this is their forte, everything is seamlessly the theme and them to a tee.
Honors:
- Rihanna in Marc Jacobs
- Zendaya in custom Louis Vuitton
- Nicki Minaj in Thom Browne
- Andre 3000 in Burberry
- Bad Bunny in Prada
- Emma Chamberlain in Courrèges
- Sabrina Carpenter in Louis Vuitton, A lot of people like this look.
- Lauryn Hill in Stella McCartney
- Hunter Schafer in custom Prada
- Lewis Hamilton in Wales Bonner
A lot of women wore long dresses like coats with pants underneath. For example, Jennie of Blackpink and Coco Jones. Personally, I wasn’t a fan as I thought they fit the theme, but there were too many outfits like it. Same outfit, different font. Louis Vuitton was also a very prominent designer this year, with many attendees wearing the brand. Overall, I loved the theme this year, and I feel the Atlantic diaspora in America finally got their flowers when it comes to fashion. My favorite outfit was definitely Teyana Taylor in Ruth E. Carter. Truly beautiful.
