Whereas Black dandyism is deeply rooted in African American tradition, its affect stretches far past america, revealing itself all through the diaspora. From the Caribbean to the African continent, Black communities subtly embody dandyism of their societal norms, cultural clothes, and private fashion—even once they don’t explicitly title it as such.
This 12 months’s unapologetically Black Met Gala steps grew to become a visible anthology of dandyism throughout the diaspora. In a sea of monochrome nods to the Harlem Renaissance, stars like Lauryn Hill, Lewis Hamilton, Tems, and extra stood out, providing colourful, intricately detailed seems to be that straight referenced the richness of diasporic tradition.
Lewis Hamilton
In an all-cream go well with designed by Grace Wales Bonner, Lewis Hamilton, who additionally served as a star co-chair this 12 months, showcased the attraction of the Caribbean by the beaded and cowrie shell detailing in his go well with. All through historical past, cowrie shells have held a large number of meanings. Typically acknowledged for his or her spirituality, they had been additionally as soon as thought of to be “the shell cash of the slave commerce,” representing wealth and energy up till the twentieth century.
Lauryn Hill
Although a Black designer didn’t design Lauryn Hill’s buttery yellow go well with, the curved contours on the go well with’s shoulder mirror the shapes typically seen in conventional Nigerian geles (or headwraps). Along with the influence of those intricate shapes, Hill served unbothered queen standing as she was escorted onto the carpet by Ghanaian designer Jude Dontoh, whose outfit, styled by Cymple of Yellow Studio, was impressed by the Ashanti royal courtroom. From the gold neckpiece with Adinkra symbols to his gold embroidered black hat, the look was crammed with references to Ghanaian royalty.
“The umbrella, a culturally loaded image. In Ashanti custom, an ornate umbrella is held above chiefs and kings to indicate standing and safety,” stylist Cymple instructed theGrio.
From her golden fan to her jewels designed by Emefa Cole, Hill walked into her Met Gala debut just like the queen she is.
Ayo Edibri
For actress Ayo Edebiri, honoring dandyism meant honoring her tradition and her father. Working with Maximilian Davis, the inventive director of Ferragamo, the duo crafted a glance that not solely match the tailor-made fashion of Black dandyism within the U.S but in addition the vibrancy of dandyism in Nigerian tradition. The coral beading on the entrance of her gown was a major element impressed by her heritage.
“I confirmed Max footage of my father and different Nigerian conventional outfits – female and male! An enormous part is coral,” Edebiri instructed Vogue. “It may be used for jewellery, headpieces, and canes, and holds a variety of historic and cultural weight. Max designed this actually gorgeous plastron to evoke the coral and stitching on my dad’s boba (the highest a part of the standard outfit), but it surely’s made totally out of glass.”
Dapper Dan
Even the OG dandy took a second to honor his African ancestors final night time. For his Met Gala look, Dapper Dan showcased his signature logomania with the Adinkra Sankofa symbols on a black-and-white, dazzling zoot go well with he designed. Derived from the Akan folks of Ghana, Sankofa displays the idea that individuals should know and draw from their historical past and heritage to maneuver ahead and attain true progress. On a mission to “signify tradition” on the 2025 Met Gala, Dapper Dan celebrated Black American historical past with the Zoot Swimsuit whereas paying tribute to Ghanaian heritage with a big Sankofa chook on his again.
“I stated, ‘I have to convey one thing right here tonight to take us again, so I introduced the Sankofa.’ My theme of the night time is Sankofa and the true Harlem Dandy period, which I date to the Harlem Renaissance [in the 1920s and 1930s],” Dan instructed Met Gala co-hosts Ego Nwodim and Teyana Taylor.
Issa Rae
Whereas Issa Rae’s look could have appeared easy, the facility and significance of the ensemble lay throughout the particulars. At first look, Rae’s three-piece go well with, designed by British Ghanaian designer Ozwald Boateng, seemed like a traditional all-black go well with. Nevertheless, taking a better look, it’s clear that Boateng drew inspiration from his Ghanaian heritage with the refined, hypnotizing contrasting black patterns. As she stated, strolling into the Met, “It’s dandy, West African fashion.”
Dangerous Bunny
He will not be Black, however singer Dangerous Bunny introduced the Caribbean diaspora to the forefront for his Met Gala look. The star of the present? His hat, which served as a contemporary tackle the “Pava,” or a straw hat that’s typically seen on Jíbaros (small farmers who’re steadily combined race). From Puerto Rico to Haiti, these straw hats are one of many some ways dandyism presents itself within the Caribbean. Happy with his Puerto Rican heritage, Dangerous Bunny additionally sported a brooch of the nation’s nationwide flower and carried an old-school bowling bag representing all the pieces he carries with him as he travels. “All the nice issues that I carry with me,” he instructed Vogue.
Tems
Fusing fashionable and conventional types, Tems embodied African royalty on the Met Gala steps. Wearing an Ozwald Boateng design that includes a inexperienced and blue Aso-Ebi print. Equally, her resolution to hold her personal umbrella echoed the high-society traditions of West Africa—an understated energy transfer steeped in legacy.
Burna Boy & Omar Sy
Brightly coloured fits are probably the most vibrant types of dandyism throughout the diaspora, and Burna Boy & Omar Sy understood the task. Burna Boy’s customized Ozwald Boateng ensemble, burgundy and yellow with daring textures, channeled peak African uncle vitality in one of the simplest ways. From vibrant patent leather-based sneakers completely matching the go well with pants and jacket, Burna and Sy introduced unapologetic Afro-dandy realness to the carpet.
John Imah
John Imah, the CEO of the tech firm SpreeAI, made his debut on the Met Gala carrying a novel collaboration with Sergio Hudson. Impressed by his Nigerian heritage and his expertise background, Hudson designed a putting lavender go well with that featured an intricately embroidered overcoat with patterns to replicate expertise, together with cultural parts like coral beads and what seems to be to be a rendition of a kufi.
