We’ve seen the red carpet looks—now step inside to see what the Met exhibition unveils

It’s Met Monday, and everyone’s glued to their phones like they’re expecting their fortunes to be revealed. And well, what we witnessed was nothing short of a spectacle—this could well be the starting point for many of the stunning looks we’ll see through the year. What unfolded was a masterclass in menswear. This year’s red carpet might just be a goldmine of inspiration for designers, stylists, and creative directors alike. Archival pieces were revived, silhouettes reimagined, tailoring elevated to couture-level precision (Rihanna, we’re looking at you), accessories turned into talking points, grooming on point, and bold, expressive menswear was at the centre of it all. But here’s the thing, as much as the  Met Gala is about the spectacle of the red carpet, it is very intentionally designed around the exhibition that sparks it.

The theme this year—“Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”—is rooted in Black dandyism and celebrates the long-standing tradition of Black men (and women) using fashion as a tool for self-expression, resistance, and pride. Through sharp tailoring, rich fabrics, and impeccable style, the exhibition honours a legacy of fashion that’s both deeply personal and politically powerful. Moreover, it's also the first time since 2003 that the Met has turned its lens to menswear, and the first time in its 88-year history that the Met’s Costume Institute directly addressed the subject of race. So yes, the excitement is well-earned.

Held annually at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the exhibition is the true core of the Met Gala. It weaves together fashion, history, and culture in ways that challenge, celebrate, and reframe how we see clothing. While each year's dress code takes its cue from the exhibition, what unfolds inside the museum speaks to you on a different level. 

This year, the exhibition opens to the public on 10th May, and inside are some of the sharpest, most stylish pieces from across history. It’s inspired by Monica L. Miller's 2009 book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity (she’s a professor of Africana Studies at Barnard College) and partly by the passing of fashion legend André Leon Talley in January 2022.

The exhibition brings together over 200 pieces—including clothes, accessories, photographs, and paintings—spread across 12 themed sections. Some of these include Respectability, Disguise, Cool, Beauty, Heritage, and more, with each diving into a different part of how fashion has shaped identity, expression, and culture in the Black community.

Inside, you’ll see work from both new and well-known designers. One highlight is a bright double-breasted trench coat by Jacques Agbobly from his Bienvenue à Bord collection. It’s inspired by the “Ghana Must Go” movement and reimagines the iconic plaid as a symbol of strength and resilience.

Another name to know is English designer Grace Wales Bonner, whose work is also featured in the exhibition. Eight of her looks are on display, pulled from collections she’s created over the past 10 years. Each piece is sharp and well put-together, mixing the polish of European tailoring with the depth and soul of Afro-Atlantic style.

The exhibition also includes pieces by IB Kamara, the creative director of Off-White. There’s an American jockey suit from 1830, along with historic American livery on loan from the Maryland Center for History and Culture. The jockey suit represents the fashion of 19th-century American horse racing, while the livery shows the uniforms worn by royal servants. You’ll also find designs by Louis Wells, who dressed music legend Prince, and Pat Campano, known for creating iconic looks for disco star Sylvester. 

Together, you’ll experience pieces inside this rich, culture-filled exhibition that each carries a story and deep significance. So, if you view fashion through the lens of cultural expression, you’re in for an experience decoding these stories.

 

Lead image: Getty Images

Also read: The Met Gala 2025 theme—‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’—explained

Also read: These Indians didn’t just dress for the Met, they dressed for history