Post-Imperial x Met Gala 2025: Dressing Taraji P. Henson for "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style"
"Step into Greatness."
Those were the words I shared with Taraji P. Henson just an hour before the Met Gala festivities began. Standing at the entrance of the Mark Hotel, I offered her this sentiment—a gift from my morning prayer and meditation.
A tender moment. Captured perfectly by her team and etched into my memory forever. A vision I will carry for the rest of my life.
Forgive me for jumping ahead, but I'm sure you're wondering—
Why am I speaking to Taraji?
Why is she dressed like that?
And what is the Met Gala?
Well then... it is storytime.
The Met Gala: Fashion's Biggest Night
The Met Gala stands as the ultimate fashion event—a fundraising benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York. What began as an intimate dinner organized by Eleanor Lambert has blossomed into fashion's most anticipated night.
Each year, the Gala centers around a theme connected to the Institute's exhibition. Over the years, we've witnessed remarkable themes come alive—from "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," celebrating the late designer's visionary work, to last year's "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion," where fragile garments were brought to life through scent and sound.
This year's theme resonated deeply with me: "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style."
When Post-Imperial Meets the Black Dandy
As Creative Director of Post-Imperial, I draw inspiration from the creative wellspring of the Black Diaspora. The Black Dandy has long been a familiar muse in my work. Yet, it was extraordinary to witness a wide audience eager to uncover the essence of this cultural icon, waiting to see how designers, stylists, and creative forces would tell their stories on this illustrious night.
Few know that my fashion journey began in womenswear at Oscar de la Renta's design studio. There, I crossed paths with Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia—now the creative directors at the house and founders of Monse.
When Monse received the invitation to dress the incomparable Taraji P. Henson, they proposed a collaboration with Post-Imperial. The synergy was perfect as my background touched several crucial elements for this theme:
- Deep understanding of the Black Dandy's cultural significance
- Extensive knowledge in menswear tailoring
- Strong foundation in womenswear design
Returning to womenswear became a poetic full-circle moment, and the entire creative process unfolded as a wonder.
The Divine Dandy & The Baye Dandy: Two Archetypes
Our approach to dressing Taraji centered around two distinct archetypes that would allow her to fully embody the theme's essence.
The Divine Dandy
The Divine Dandy archetype weaves together numerous inspirations from across the Black Diaspora. At its core stands the influence of American contemporary painter Barkley L. Hendricks, particularly his work "What's Going On."
Our creation—a stunning all-ivory ensemble—pulses with profound allure, accentuating Taraji's undeniable presence. It intertwines traditional menswear craftsmanship with the daring spirit of Josephine Baker: a Divine Dandy embracing her Divine Femininity.
This look also pays homage to the Iyabos of Yoruba culture—women of spiritual devotion who wear white to symbolize purity before Olodumare, the supreme deity. The color palette becomes a canvas on which we paint a story of faith, resilience, and transformation.
The Divine Dandy whispers of an era filled with refined flamboyance, echoing Cab Calloway's striking white tuxedo. With its dramatic waistline and oversized bow, this creation harmonizes classic tailoring's nostalgic allure with contemporary flair.
Each fabric in this ensemble tells its own story:
- Crisp cotton sateen and piqué shirt with raw edges float above a short piqué corset dress
- The silhouette-sculpting design enhances her form
- An opulent wool silk coat enfolds her in elegance
- Ethereal silk faille shawl lapels complete the look
These rich textures create a sensory symphony, melding seamlessly with the warm mahogany hue of her skin—a stunning visual tapestry celebrating both past and present.
The Baye Dandy
Juxtaposing the ethereal Divine Dandy stands the colorful Baye Dandy—a delightful trickster archetype. It embodies rich, interwoven narratives, challenging perceptions of what constitutes a Black Dandy.
This archetype draws deeply from cultural influences across the diaspora:
- The flamboyant Sapeurs of Congo
- The dignified Oba traditional rulers of the Yoruba Kingdom
Each element remains steeped in history while vibrating with contemporary creativity.
At the heart of the Baye Dandy look is Post-Imperial's signature technique—the Baye patchwork—applied to Monse's distinctive suit silhouette. Named after the Baye Fall from Senegal, a religious sect known for their colorful, distinctive attire, this technique centers around striking vertical patchwork patterns.
A Moment of Mutual Recognition
After speaking life into Taraji, she received it and spoke life back to me.
"You helped make this moment happen. Thank you."
She then embraced the moment and stepped onto the Met Gala carpet, embodying greatness like the Divine Dandy she is.