Earlier this week, the Met Gala celebrated Black dandies and all the inspiration they have provided the fashion world. On the Tailored for You red carpet, we saw interpretations of the theme: sharp suits, sparkling brooches, hats tipped to one side—and a take on what Dandy beauty meant, too.
Many of the hairstyles started with one common theme: natural hair. In a world where race-based hair discrimination exists, Black celebrities choosing to wear curls, kinks, and coils on the red carpet, made an important statement. Natural hair is powerful, elegant, and appropriate at any and every event.
Civil rights activist and former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick was just one of the many attendees who chose to wear his hair brushed into an afro for the event. “Thinking about Black dandyism and legacy and this moment, we had to have the Afro out in full display,” he told Vogue while getting ready for the big night. “It also goes perfectly with the suit and the vibe: so straightforward, but powerful.”
Below, more celebrities who donned natural tresses on the Met Gala’s blue carpet.