At a sneak preview of the Costume Exhibition hours before the Gala, The Met Showed Us the Story of the Black Dandy: from Frederick Douglass to Andre 3000
I am a fiber artist and I so envy your getting to go to this. Black fashion and style have always been a thing of beauty for me (I see humans as works of art). The bold colors and patterns, and the crisp tailoring scream "I am my own person." When worn, the way the wearer moves or stands showcases the clothing, but also sends messages of confidence, pride, and joy. There is no blending in. The person exudes a certain amount of fearlessness in their right to take up space. It is said that clothes make the man.
Thank you so much for sharing this. You have made my artists heart sing this morning and yearn to get back to my own machine to create.
Needles and thread are powerful forces of resistance. I’m speaking not just of the women behind the fashion at the Met, but also the women who sewed the quilts that preserved family memory, who worked in laundries to keep clothes clean, who ironed the fancy collars and ruffles. Let’s all celebrate the women who clothe you!
I am a fiber artist and I so envy your getting to go to this. Black fashion and style have always been a thing of beauty for me (I see humans as works of art). The bold colors and patterns, and the crisp tailoring scream "I am my own person." When worn, the way the wearer moves or stands showcases the clothing, but also sends messages of confidence, pride, and joy. There is no blending in. The person exudes a certain amount of fearlessness in their right to take up space. It is said that clothes make the man.
Thank you so much for sharing this. You have made my artists heart sing this morning and yearn to get back to my own machine to create.
So glad The Met has this exhibition and appreciate you being there to bring it to us. Thanks Kahlil!
Needles and thread are powerful forces of resistance. I’m speaking not just of the women behind the fashion at the Met, but also the women who sewed the quilts that preserved family memory, who worked in laundries to keep clothes clean, who ironed the fancy collars and ruffles. Let’s all celebrate the women who clothe you!
This is sooooooo good.
Also, can we talk about your beautiful patchwork pants?! 😍
Um supporting the Met and its ties to capitalism and the exploiting/tokenizing of Black culture is wild.
Thank you so much! This is truly fascinating stuff.