In The Name of Black Style & Culture

Unpacking the Met Gala, Cannes 2025, and The Power of Black Literature

Met Gala 2025: A Celebration of Cool, Culture, and Craftsmanship

This year’s Met Gala was an ode to tailoring, elegance, and the undeniable cool that forms the foundation of Black culture and style, setting a transformative precedent for future Met Galas. As CBS News and WWD reported, it wasn’t just about the record-breaking $31 million raised. It was about the visibility, the artistry, and the impact.

For the first time, we saw an intentional amplification of designers of color and a celebration of heritage. It was a historic moment in fashion.

As always, there were major knockout looks: Zendaya stunned in Louis Vuitton, Lewis Hamilton brought grace and edge in Wales Bonner, Rihanna returned in dramatic Marc Jacobs, and Nicki Minaj made a rare yet striking appearance in Thom Browne. We also caught a glimpse of Mona Patel, last year’s mystery lady, who once again blended fashion and technology with her robotic spine and a purse replica of Thom Browne’s muse, Hector.

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A surprising moment came with what might be the first #WhoWoreItBetter at the Met: Anna Sawai’s look strikingly mirrored Zendaya’s. Until now, we were all under the impression that Anna Wintour pre-approved every look. But that similarity raised eyebrows because let’s be honest, Anna wouldn’t have allowed that.

Speaking of Zendaya, unlike last year’s double feature, we only got one look from her this time, which left many curious.

Another powerful shift: the presence of African designers. Ozwald Boateng styled Burna Boy, Tems, and Ayra Starr, bringing global Black excellence to the Met steps. And then Lauryn Hill, making her Met Gala debut in a tailored Jude Dontoh suit, was a vision of Ghanaian royalty. Her stylist held a matching butter-yellow umbrella, evoking a traditional royal procession from Ghana. It was more than a look; it was a statement.

This Met didn’t just pay tribute to African American culture. It traced our lineage, roots, and history—and gracefully honored it. That, in essence, was the heart of this year’s Met Gala.

And I hope this is only the beginning. I hope we will continue to see a push for black creatives' efforts to be highlighted in fashion.

What were some of your favorite looks? Comment below!

- Written by Celine Opoku

Cannes Red Carpet

Cannes 2025 gave us everything! From Rihanna glowing in a black cutout dress and that electric blue Alaïa moment, to Naomi Campbell shutting it down in a black tulle ball gown with a golden corset, the Black fashion icons showed out. Viola Davis was pure grace in custom Gucci, and Colman Domingo proved (once again) that red carpets aren’t just for gowns — his custom Valentino was sleek, sharp, and stylish. We’re living for the fashion history being made in real time — but tell us, who had your favorite look? 👀 Did we miss anyone? Let us know who else was serving!

- Written by Swanetta Hunt

The Power of Black Writers

Fiction has been a leading genre in the literature industry for as long as the industry has been around. The ability to create a world descriptive enough to last hundreds of pages is an incredible feat. Black fictional writers gave their Black readers an outlet to explore other realities concerning civil injustices that were experienced daily. Writers like Octavia Butler used science to explore how the imagination can be a form of resistance. Her most famous book, Kindred, explored how a Black woman from the 1970s reacted to the systematic oppression of slavery when she was transported back in time to a plantation house. When reading books such as Kindred, readers can experience how social norms are challenged and relate that to their current experience. James Baldwin was another leader in the fictional genre who continued to speak out against injustices. Black fictional writers do more than entertain. They challenge norms, elevate underrepresented voices, and offer deep insight into the richness and complexity of Black experiences. Some amazing reads from Baldwin are Giovanni’s Room, The Fire Next Time, and Go Tell It on the Mountain. These readers inspire people continuously, and readers have the opportunity to become excellent writers.

-Written by Ashley Bacote

What are your favorite books featuring Black fictional readers? Comment below; We would love to share your recommendations in the next newsletter.

Celebrate Juneteenth With Intention, Connection, and Vibes

Join us in supporting Sunkissed & Stirred, an elevated Juneteenth event hosted by our friends at Network While Black.

This intimate evening is all about honoring Black joy and connection, with Spark Sessions (speed networking), a live tarot reader, curated cocktails, and a space designed for us to mix, mingle, and manifest joy.

Thursday, June 19
Heyground Harlem | 6–9 PM

Tickets are on sale—grab yours now before they’re gone!
https://events.eventnoire.com/e/sunkissed-stirred