Here’s Why Colman Domingo Said The Met Gala Will Be “Very Emotional” This Year, And It’s Clear This Theme Is Bigger Than People Think It Is
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For the biggest night in fashion, Colman, also known as one of the best-dressed men in Hollywood (by me), will be joined alongside Pharrell Williams, A$AP Rocky, Lewis Hamilton, and Anna Wintour as co-chairs, while LeBron James will serve as an honorary chair.
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The Met Gala is an annual fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. The theme for the gala also serves as the theme for the museum’s exhibition. Superfine: Tailoring Black Style was inspired by Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.
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“Historically, the term ‘dandy’ was used to describe someone — often a man — who is extremely devoted to aesthetics and approached it as a lifestyle,” Monica said. “Dandyism has been used to think positively about Black people, their ambitions, and aspirations, and negatively about those very same aspirations.”
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Today, it’s easy to see how important Black culture is to the fashion and beauty world, and the undeniable influence it’s had on trends that pop up with new names for different generations, but the acknowledgement and credit is often overlooked or ignored completely. Rarely is the history of Black style truly celebrated and examined on such a high scale.
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There are many reasons why this theme feels so special, and in a recent video for the Met, Colman opened up about the significance of his role and the way he personally connects with fashion.
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“I’m recognizing that it means more to me than I even imagined,” Colman said. “It’s someone who’s been creating art and spaces who has knowledge and history, who’s always trying to interrogate who we are, and understanding who’s come before.”
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“You walk into a space, and you get met with some items, some artists, some artisans, people who have defined and redefined themselves, especially when it comes to the Black male experience.”
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The Oscar-nominated actor went on to express his gratitude for the pioneers who paved the way; those who made fashion not only exciting but attainable.
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“It’s extraordinary,” he continued. “I know where I’m standing in history right now, at least my little part of it…my little droplet. If I can point someone’s head back to history to understand how we got here, because it’s not just because I’m here.”
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“It’s because André Leon Talley was here. It’s because all these other artisans, people, and human beings were here. And so, it’s extraordinary. I think it’s going to be very impactful, and potent, and surprisingly, very emotional.”
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