The Met Gala theme and dress code are inspired by the 2009 book "Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity."

Take a tour through the juke joints, speakeasies, and other hubs where Black dandies in NYC’s prewar creative boom could be found strutting their stuff

Met Gala was inspired by menswear and Black dandyism. The latter style is a crucial part of Black culture and empowerment.