Tyler Mitchell was commissioned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, to document the Costume Institute’s exhibition Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, which presents a cultural and historical examination of Black style over three hundred years through the lens of dandyism—for the accompanying catalogue. Instead of capturing the garments in static shots, Mitchell’s thirty-page photo essay showcases several generations of Black men donning the garments and accessories as they were worn throughout history.

The exhibition opens on 10 May, 2025 and the iconic MET Gala took place yesterday night attended by Mitchell himself and many more stars.

The book also includes his photograph Untitled (Christian in Wales Bonner) (2024) on its cover and his short essay “Portrait of the Modern Dandy.” Mitchell was guided by guest curator Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book, Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity, and drew inspiration from artists and cultural figures including Isaac Julien, Toni Morrison, and James Van Der Zee.

Image: Tyler Mitchell, Untitled (Christian in Wales Bonner), 2024 © Tyler Mitchell