Superfine
The Met Gala 2025 theme is inspired by Monica L. Miller's 2009 book, Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.
The exhibit accompanying this year's party will run at the Metropolitan Museum of Art from May 10 through October 26.
Prince's Clothes
The Superfine exhibit, per Vogue, is split into 12 sections that "define" dandy style, which include Ownership, Presence, Distinction, Disguise, Freedom, Champion, Heritage, Beauty, Cool, Cosmopolitanism, and "Jook," which refers to clothes with ample space for movement and activity.
On top of his pop legacy, Prince—who died in 2016—left behind an iconic wardrobe full of instantly recognizable prints, colors and silohettes.
Jockey Silks
A jockey suit on display in the exhibit is "possibly the earliest surviving American set," and likely worn by enslaved riders between 1830 and 1850.
The Black Panthers
The exhibit shows how fashion played a major role in the Civil Rights Movement, particularly when it came to the Black Panthers' iconic berets.
Black Style Through Time
The Superfine theme is the first Met Gala since 2003 for focus exclusively on menswear.
"Dandy" Style
"Dandyism" means almost excessive attention to the way one dresses, as shown in these elaborate men's suits.
More Menswear
Miller, who also helped curate the exhibit as well as inspiring its theme, told Vogue that each piece of clothing shown is mean to "illustrate how Black people transformed from being enslaved and stylized as luxury items, acquired like any other signifier of wealth and status, to autonomous self-fashioning individuals who are global trendsetters."
Inside the Met Gala 2025
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is decorated for fashion's biggest night of the year.