It’s hard to talk about Black dandy style without mentioning Harlem. This Manhattan neighborhood is the heart of Black fashion and identity, so it’s no surprise that the 2025 Met Gala celebrated Harlem in multiple ways—from A$AP Rocky’s cover shoot to the Pre-Met party and the evening’s musical performances.

For his “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme, Baz Luhrmann transported guests to 125th Street during the Harlem Renaissance. The night began with a poem by Coleman Domingo, followed by Usher’s opening act. By the time Stevie Wonder took the stage for a string of hits, the crowd was fully immersed. The trio of performances was unforgettable, but it was the choir and orchestra that truly anchored the show.

The 20-person choir greeted gala attendees on the red carpet with a powerful a cappella rendition of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” Later, inside the Great Hall, they were joined by the Matt Jones Orchestra, setting the tone before the Grammy-winning headliners performed. Dressed in sharp black suits, the performers embodied the essence of the Black dandy in all its elegance.

“Their outfits are uniform—tails to set the gala mood,” said Vogue’s contributing fashion editor Max Ortega, explaining Luhrmann’s vision. The hairstyles, however, were where individuality shone, each one reflecting the personal flair of a true dandy.

To bring these looks to life, Luhrmann and Ortega enlisted celebrity hairstylist Dre Demry-Sanders, who worked on the Met Museum’s “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” catalog. “We’re thrilled to have her,” Ortega said, praising her work with the choir and orchestra. “Every time I show the performers her designs, they get so excited—it’s really special.”

Drawing inspiration from sources like Monica L. Miller’s Slaves to Fashion and the exhibit’s portraits, Demry-Sanders aimed to modernize Harlem Renaissance-era styles. “Back then, conks and relaxers were common, but now we’re working with natural hair,” she explained. “Even if their hair was straightened back then, it still had texture—so I’m honoring that while celebrating today’s textured styles.”

Using Bumble and Bumble products, she sculpted each look with precision. Since natural hair is easier to style when damp, she prepped with Curl Defining Hair Mousse or Styling Cream before detangling. “The goal is to soften the hair for quick, pain-free styling,” she said. Once the texture was set, some looks featured sharp, clean parts near the temple, locked in place with Sumogel Hi-Hold Styling Gel for a sleek finish. Holding Hairspray sealed the deal—its liquid formula providing a strong, concentrated hold.

The idea was to enhance each performer’s natural style—whether shaping curls or refining short cuts with a barber’s touch. “I want everyone to feel like themselves, just elevated,” Demry-Sanders said. “Same story, different characters.”

Makeup followed a “male glam” approach—”Beauty at its finest”—artist Michelle Clark’s work for MAC Cosmetics kept skin looking fresh and effortless. “It starts with a spritz of Fix+ and Serumizer for everyone—it works on all skin types,” she explains. This hydrating base is followed by Studio Fix concealer and setting powder, creating a flawless, natural finish.

For the performance, Dermy-Sanders wanted to honor the past. “That’s what this year’s Met Gala is all about—paying tribute to those who paved the way. I wanted to carry that legacy forward.”

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Photo: Getty Images
Rihanna in Marc Jacobs

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