Los Angeles (AP) – Black dandyism occupies the front of the stage at Met GalaWith cultural powerhouses leading this subversive style and suddenly tailor -made under the world’s fashion projectors.
As a member of the Gala host committee, Janelle Monáe And other pioneers help shape the conversation, supervising black dandyism as a proud tradition – rather than a simple trend – claiming its moment of visibility expected for a long time.
“It is always important to educate and re -educate yourself in the world as much as possible through art and through our greatness,” said Monáe, the interpreter nominated to the Grammys who had made Dandy style a signature of his fashion.
Monáe, inspired by family members who proudly displayed the look throughout his education, considers the projector as an opportunity to pay tribute to the past and inspire the future.
“Dandyism is almost part of my fashion DNA by seam and combination,” said the singer-actor. “I honored my ancestors and my family who wore their uniforms, wore their costumes to serve our community. It remained online with whom I am and the people I want to bring with me who helped build this country. ”
On Monday, with The World Watching, a wave of disruptors and fashion stylists will lead to black dandyism from the margins to the Met Gala, because the Metropolitan Museum of Art unveils its new costume exhibition, “Superfine: Coudoir The Black Style.” It marks the first show of the Met centered exclusively on black designers and the first in addition to two decades to highlight male fashion. It is also a tribute to the rich legacy of dandyism, a style that has Long space carved for radical self -expression, Especially for those who have been neglected or misunderstood.
“It’s been a long time to come,” said Kyle Smith, the very first NFL fashion editor, who styled the best players in the League, including the quarter of the Bengals de Cincinnati Joe BurrowLos Angeles Rams Wideout Puka Nacua And the receiver Kenny Stills.
“It’s great to see recognition that black culture has or has fashionable for years,” said Smith. “It was there and very subtle, or simply not recognized. I think that this year’s theme has been expected for a long time. I am delighted to see everyone’s outfits and how they interact with the idea of black dandyism.”
Black dandyism pillars
This year’s Met Gala co -presidents include Pharrell Williams,, Lewis Hamilton,, Colman Domingo,, A $ AP Rocky and honorary chair LeBron JamesWith Monáe joining the host committee alongside Simone Biles, Spike Lee,, AYO EDEBIRI and André 3000.
“I think that honoring the minorities, honoring blacks and brown in these spaces and outside every day, is important,” said Monáe, who plans to use the red carpet to launch an exclusive collaboration with 1800 tequila. “Those who have devoted their lives to this country to serve, build and give us art to support us a lifetime. We must continue to honor them and move forward and stand on their shoulders. ”
Several pioneers have helped popularize black dandyism, a style whose roots go back to the trafficking of transatlantic slaves. From the start, dandyism served as a dress declaration, recovering elegance and luxury as an empowerment tools, contesting stereotypes and honoring the black heritage.
This moment put Gala is located on the shoulders of icons like Frederick Douglass, which exerted a sharp dress as a form of power, and Duke Ellington, which turned into a cultural shine.
The member of the host committee, Dap Dan thought Harlem fashion, remixing luxury in daring statements of black pride, while late André Leon Talley – With its capes and its dominant presence – redefined the fashion authority.
Today’s black dandies include this heritage forward, mixing tradition and rebellion in each reverse for a style that says a lot before a word is pronounced.
“We are the walking versions they imagined,” said El Lewis, a stylist based in Atlanta, who worked with several artists including Usher, Young Thug, Chloé and Halle Bailey and Justin Skye. “Many of these people died without being able to materialize. We have a lot of autonomy for ourselves, and I think that is what they were likely. They wanted to be able to do anything at any time at any time. And I think that’s what they have to see us do. “
Met Gala advances dandyism
Stylist Brian Robinson said that if Talley was alive, he would have left an unforgettable brand on the determining looks of the gala.
“It would certainly be behind pieces of conversation under the restraint to educate,” said Robinson about Talley, the former creative director and influential publisher of Vogue magazine. He died at the age of 73 in 2022.
“He could have put dandyism in a positive light so that people understand the importance of being able to celebrate and highlight our culture,” said Robinson, who worked with Keyshia Cole and Naturi Naughton. “He would put pressure for understanding the agricultural aesthetics of style, being able to understand how it highlights not only your personality, but how it can also make you feel good as a person.”
Smith hopes that the Met Gala inspires people to embrace the joy of dressing, because it is the heart of dandyism. It is impatient to see that the mind reflects both in the streets and in the tunnels of professional game players.
“I want to see it more in our tunnel that adapts to the NFL,” he said. “Take fashion advice. Look at what everyone is wearing and how they explore fashion. I want to see how everyone is expressed and how they leave their brand in the fashion world.”
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