Will the Met’s Focus on Black Dandy Influence the Men’s Market?

Every May, the Met Gala catapults fashion into the stratosphere as celebrities by the score turn out in their finest — and often outrageous — haute couture outfits at the annual fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.

For the first time, this year’s gala and its accompanying exhibition turned the spotlight on menswear, notably Black menswear. The exhibition, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” spans about 250 years and explores Black culture and identity including the influence of hip-hop, the Harlem Renaissance, the civil rights movement and current street trends.

The exhibition was inspired by Monica L. Miller, Barnard College’s chair of African Studies, and her book: “Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.”

But will this focus on the dandy be impactful enough to influence the men’s market as a whole? WWD asked menswear designers to weigh in with their thoughts.

Tommy Hilfiger

“The Met Gala has always served as a cultural catalyst. It’s a testament to Anna Wintour and Andrew Bolton’s vision in shaping a global celebration of style, where bold ideas take center stage and spark new directions in fashion. This year’s focus on the dandy, and particularly Black dandyism, is no exception, celebrating fashion as a form of creativity, empowerment and self-expression. I believe this year’s theme will ignite a new appreciation and desire for fine tailored menswear that inspires a return to dressing up. 

“To me, a dandy is someone who dresses with purpose. It’s not just about elegance, it’s about identity. A modern dandy knows the sartorial codes: how a jacket should fit, how to balance patterns, colors and textures — and isn’t afraid to break the rules with intention. There’s confidence in that and a bit of rebellion too.  

“That spirit of challenging the status quo by mixing traditional tailoring with unexpected twists has always been woven into our brand DNA. Today’s dandy builds on this heritage, honoring the legacy of classic menswear while reclaiming it as something personal and bold. We’re seeing more people embrace that balance of fluidity, polish and flair — creating looks that nod to tradition while feeling completely modern.”

Thom Browne

“For me, the idea of dandyism begins and ends with tailoring, and is brought to life through surrealism to create ideas and visuals that are truly sublime. A dandy always displays a rigor and confidence of being comfortable to be a true individual in their aesthetic choices.

“I hope that people see tailoring in new ways — in a way that refreshes people’s idea of what tailoring can be, and in turn impacts the men’s market positively around the thinking around tailoring.”

Joseph Abboud

“My hope is that this gets people to start thinking of tailoring again. The world of streetwear, expensive sneakers and sweatshirts is an unimaginative and dreary place. Dandyism, on the other hand, is exciting and uniquely individual, pushing the limits of sartorial style to new heights, bending the rules but not breaking with the traditional boundaries of Savile Row and its rich history of impeccable tailoring. My 2016 show was an ode to American dandyism — it was all about tailoring — inspired by the energy of 1960s Carnaby Street and the craftsmanship of Savile Row.

“To me, a dandy is about individuality and at the heart of dandyism is beautiful clothes that fit well.”

Todd Snyder

“True style isn’t prescriptive; it’s personal. So there’s no right or wrong way to be a dandy. The ‘Superfine’ exhibit is a reminder of the power that comes from combining tailoring and personality. It’s fantastic to see menswear celebrated at such an iconic event and I was thrilled to be part of it in my own small way [dressing Tom Francis]. As to whether it will impact sales is unclear but the value of the global spotlight on the category is immeasurable.”

Willy Chavarria

“I think we will see more tailoring for sure because of this year’s Met Gala theme. Dandy represents a captivating external fashion identity that supersedes any perception that could otherwise be interpreted as ‘less than.’”

Simon Holloway, Dunhill

“I believe that after this year’s Met Gala there will be an acute and heightened awareness of tailoring. I think that so many of the looks, both on the monochromatic spectrum and the highly colored spectrum, will be the two overwhelming trends that we see moving through the men’s and even womenswear market. There is a stronger sense of large-scale pattern in terms of checks and stripes that will become evident across menswear fabrications in the coming year. There will also be a renewed interest in haberdashery, such as beautiful shirtings, silk accessories and hats to go along with that world of tailoring, which is something I have explored in the several seasons since I have started with Dunhill and is fundamental to the legacy of tailoring and style at Dunhill.

“The construct of the dandy to me lies somewhere between an innate inner self-confidence and good taste. Dandyism resides between those two poles. It’s traditionally an English concept dating back to the Regency era of Beau Brummell but it has morphed into various different iterations over the centuries from everything from royalty to rock ‘n’ roll to the stylish man in the street. Tailoring is always a fundamental in this equation. One of the things that I really love is when you see a chic British rock star like Charlie Watts or Bryan Ferry who wears classic British tailoring in a very debonair and rakish way — I find that incredibly inspiring.” 

Oliver Spencer

“I don’t know if the Met Gala’s focus on the dandy will have an impact on the men’s market but I do hope that it will encourage men and women to embrace personal style as more of an art form, which is how I define dandyism. It’s certainly a bold deviation from the ‘quiet luxury’ that we’ve been dealt in recent years, and which — let’s be honest — has run its course. Historically, the dandy term was used to describe a sort of meticulousness about dressing, but it was Black dandyism that really ran with the idea, turning it into a much more expressive and subversive way of dressing. It would be really fun to see elements of Harlem Renaissance style emerge in contemporary collections though. We’re already witnessing a shift to wide-leg high-waisted silhouettes and more expressive jacket lapels, two things I’ve been incorporating into my collections. If a shift to dandyism means that people feel more empowered and creative, then I’m all for it.”

Nicholas Daley

“We live in a capitalist world. Unfortunately, all those great designers and people who are making amazing clothes and designs and accessories and hats and the whole thing, you want to see everyone continue to grow and blossom, but we can only do that if we have the financial and economic means to do it.  [The Met Gala] was a great billboard and advertisement for followers, stockists, investors and other institutions to be like, ‘This was a great success, and it was a great celebration. So we should definitely do more to support designers across different ethnic groups or sexuality.’ Or just to give the opportunity to sort of allow more stories to be told, which might not have had the light shine on as much. I hope it does have a ripple effect.”

Daniel Gray and James Bosley, Denzilpatrick

“We went to the preview of the exhibition and I’ve never been in a room before with such well-dressed men. And I don’t just mean dandies either. There was just some beautiful, incredibly well-dressed men. But time will tell if it impacts menswear. Growing up in London, you’re stuck to a uniform up until you’re 16 years old. There’s so little space to express yourself. But we used to have this thing once a year called ‘Own Clothes Day,’ where you’d pay a pound, and everyone could wear their own clothes. And it was the most incredible day. Some of the boys would be wearing their little Ralph Lauren shirts and their Reebok Classic trainers, but then you would get girls coming in the most insane African head wraps. It was just amazing to see people express themselves when you give them a tiny little window to do so.

“The idea [of being a dandy] means that when you go somewhere, you bring all of yourself and present yourself in your absolute best light for yourself and for everybody else. It’s kind of like inner light, which you really believe in.”

Tanner Fletcher

“Dandy will definitely bring more femininity to menswear. More than femininity it’s a sense of individuality, attention to fine details and a guided type of style. This is something that we haven’t seen in menswear in a long time as we’re used to men having to conform to neutral colors, the same silhouettes season after season and almost a fear of femininity. This will also contribute to blurring lines between genders, showing that expression is exponential and not bound by made-up labels. Perhaps this will propel men to shop outside of the men’s department, wear more handbags and increase the use of jewelry.”

Christian Siriano

“I do think that this year’s Met will hopefully have a huge impact on menswear, showing that men can have fun with fashion and take more risks. I think that being a dandy is truly about confidence — any man I see that expresses that confidence through his style with no rules is a dandy in my eyes.”

Max Kibardin, Caruso

“The Met Gala doesn’t just reflect fashion, it reframes it. Its focus on the dandy resonates with a broader shift we’re already seeing: a desire for menswear that is more expressive, more sensual, and more daring, while remaining refined. To me, the heart of this evolution is tailoring. Not as a rigid tradition, but as a living language capable of embracing individuality and contemporary elegance. This could encourage both designers and consumers to rediscover tailoring as a tool for distinction.

“A dandy, to me, is someone who knows how to turn clothing into presence. It’s not about ostentation, it’s about distinction. Sartorial but never stiff, expressive yet always composed. The true dandy embodies elegance with disinvolvement, uses accessories not as decoration but as personal code. It’s style as attitude: controlled, intentional and understatedly bold.”

Norbert Stumpfl, Brioni

“The Met Gala has always had a strong cultural influence and this year’s focus on the dandy theme marks such important values as elegance, self-expression and attention to detail. I believe we’ll see a renewed interest in tailoring thanks to this. This could lead to a broader revival of individuality in men’s fashion, beyond trends and towards statements of identity.

 “A dandy is someone who uses style as a form of storytelling: intentional and never foregone. It’s not just about the clothes, but about the attitude: confidence without arrogance, elegance as expression of personality. At Brioni, we deeply believe in this philosophy: tailoring is a distinctive yet subtle element that never overwhelms the wearer; it enhances their presence and individuality. It’s about quiet confidence and the art of allowing the person to shine through the garments. Regé-Jean Page, who was wearing Brioni during the last Met Gala, perfectly embodies this vision.”

Jacques Agbobly

“I think the Met Gala’s focus on the dandy will absolutely ripple into the menswear market. We’re already seeing men redefine the boundaries of self-expression through clothing, and this spotlight on the dandy gives permission to lean deeper into elegance, flair, and vulnerability. To me, a dandy isn’t just about dressing up — it’s about intentionality. It’s someone who embraces detail, silhouette and craftsmanship to tell a story about who they are. It’s performative, yes, but also deeply personal. As a designer, I see the dandy as a kind of worldbuilder — a person who takes up space unapologetically through style.”