While the world tilts further into absurdity, economic instability, environmental collapse, and political decay, the Met Gala staged its annual fantasy parade. This year’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” was a nod to the legacy of Black dandyism: a celebration of resistance through elegance, of self-expression stitched into every seam. It had the potential to honor the genius of Black designers, artists, and culture-shapers who’ve redefined fashion against the odds.
And yet, instead of a revolutionary runway, we got another luxury cosplay. What should’ve been a tribute turned into yet another exercise in brand flexing. Black style was the theme, but luxury conglomerates were the guests of honor. Influencers and celebrities arrived in designer gowns that spoke more to their sponsorships than the spirit of the theme. Meanwhile, many of us were refreshing our budgeting apps and wondering if eggs would dip below $6.95 this week.
Then came the influencer drama, which now seems as essential to post-Met coverage as the fashion itself. TikTok lit up with creators accusing each other of concept theft, crying over invites (or the lack thereof), and capitalizing on every eye-roll for engagement. In 2025, chaos is a marketing strategy. And social capital? It’s built on beef. You’re not a real influencer unless you’ve been canceled twice and cried on Live.
And just when the timeline couldn’t get weirder: America kinda has a Pope now. The newly appointed pontiff—media-savvy, western-aligned, and TikTok-curious—seems like the Vatican’s attempt to stay culturally relevant. His sermons are trending, his takes are soft-rebranded as “modern,” and his robes look suspiciously styled. Religion as content. Theology as PR.
So what are we left with? A missed opportunity to center Black artistry. Influencers mining their trauma for clicks. And a religious rebrand rolling out like a new iOS update. The line between sacred and sponsored has vanished. The Met was supposed to be about style as power, but instead, we got another chapter in the Book of Clout.
Welcome to “Superfine.” The tailoring was sharp, but the soul? Left hanging on the rack.