Exhibition Tour—Superfine: Tailoring Black Style

Join Monica L. Miller, Guest Curator and Professor and Chair of African Studies, Barnard College, Columbia University, on a tour of the exhibition Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, with an introduction from Andrew Bolton, Curator in Charge of The Costume Institute. The Costume Institute’s spring 2025 exhibition presents a cultural and historical examination of Black style over three hundred years through the concept of dandyism. Through a presentation of garments and accessories, paintings, photographs, decorative arts, and more, from the 18th century to today, Superfine interprets this sartorial practice as both an aesthetic and a strategy that allowed for new social and political possibilities.


Contributors

Monica L. Miller
Andrew Bolton
Curator in Charge

Video produced by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and HAPPYMONDAY

The Met:
Director, Managing Producer: Kate Farrell
Producer: Melissa Bell
Audio Editor: Lucas Groth
Media Production Coordinator: Lela Jenkins
Production Assistant: Malvika Dang
Audio Engineer: David Raymond
Media Installation Support: Kaelan Burkett, Peter Berson, Paul Caro
Publicists: Alex Fizer, Mika Kiyono
Procurement: Philip Zolit
Exhibition Project managers: Gillian Fruh, Quinn Corte

HAPPYMONDAY Studio:
Director of Photography and Editor: Atif Ahmad
Producer: Humai Mustafa
Second Camera: Patrick Phillips
Audio Recording: Chris Barone
Production Assistant: Mellissa Miller

Special thanks to Torkwase Dyson and Tanda Francis, Monica L. Miller, Andrew Bolton, and the Superfine Costume Institute curatorial team: Amanda Garfinkel, William DeGregorio, Kai Marcel.


Two covers of Jamel Shabazz books
Resources for exploring Black style and dandyism in The Costume Institute Library.
Julie Lê and Kai Toussaint Marcel
October 15
Dusty floor with intricate geometric patterns partially covered by a thin layer of dust. Soft footprints disrupt the dust, adding texture and intrigue.
How did Man Ray and Marcel Duchamp engender mutual growth in their radical art?
Dawn Ades
October 10
A woman with closed eyes rests her head on a surface, holding an ornate African mask. The sepia-toned image conveys a serene and introspective mood.
Discover Kiki de Montparnasse’s abiding influence on Man Ray’s photographic practice.
Mark Braude
October 10
More in:FashionBlack HistoryInspirationOn View