A “Superfine” Finale—Dapper Dan and Monica L. Miller Close the Met Exhibition in Conversation

As The Costume Institute concludes its spring 2025 exhibition titled “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” The Metropolitan Museum of Art hosted a special final discussion featuring designer, stylist, and entrepreneur Dapper Dan and Monica L. Miller, Professor and Chair of Africana Studies at Barnard College and Columbia University, as well as a guest curator for “Superfine.” This sold-out event delved into themes of Black dandyism, heritage, and individual expression—concepts that are integral to both the exhibition and Dapper Dan’s illustrious career.

Famed for styling legends such as Salt-N-Pepa, Bobby Brown, Jam Master Jay, Big Daddy Kane, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Megan Thee Stallion, and Lil’ Kim—as well as athletes including Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather, and Diane Dixon—Dapper Dan’s impact on culture and fashion is undeniable.

In quintessential Dap fashion, the Harlem icon arrived in a meticulously tailored black suit adorned with gold trimming, accompanied by oversized sunglasses and a cowboy hat marked with the Sankofa symbol. This emblem, which Dapper Dan had woven into his custom zoot suit for the 2025 Met Gala, represents the significance of reflecting on the past to shape the present and future. “Out of one came many,” he asserts—a statement that embodies his artistic philosophy and deep respect for cultural roots.

Within the “Superfine” exhibit, Dapper Dan’s segment, labeled “Cool,” takes cues from the Kariba suit—a 1970s design symbolic of cultural independence. Designed to offer more comfort than colonial-era attire, the Kariba suit serves as both formal and casual wear, deliberately diverging from traditional Western menswear.

Inspired by the collegiate looks of 1950s jazz musicians like Miles Davis, Dapper Dan perceived music as the natural backdrop for fashion. By the 1980s, his Harlem workshop became synonymous with the rise of hip-hop luxury, creating logo-driven streetwear that featured elements borrowed from high-end brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Fendi—transforming global perceptions of status and style.

On the subject of dandyism, he articulated it as “the art of signifying—an expressive manifestation of resilience, defiance, and style.” For him, the Dandy is more than wardrobe: “The person who possesses that charisma, that flair, who has that vehicle—everyone aspires to emulate him.”

Beyond his design influence, Dapper Dan is passionately dedicated to mentoring the next generation of creators from Harlem. Through educational workshops at his Fifth Avenue atelier, he imparts vital business skills while encouraging creative expression. “I’m not here to dress young bodies,” he explained to the audience. “I aim to dress young minds.”