Met Gala Comes to Bed Stuy

By: |Published on: Apr 30, 2025|Categories: Brooklyn, Costume, Fashion, Men, New York|

The looks at the Met Gala blue carpet are talked about for years after. But the 2025 Met Gala is held to celebrate the opening of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In its series of talks leading up to the 2025 Met Gala, The Metropolitan Museum hosted an intimate panel discussion previewing the forthcoming exhibition in the heart of Bedford-Stuyvesant at the Billie Holiday Theatre.

The discussion was moderated by renowned cultural scholar Monica L. Miller, whose book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity serves as one of the primary inspirations of the exhibition.

The evening kicked off with warm remarks from Max Hollein, director and CEO of The Met, and a decorated introduction to Miller, who guest–curated the exhibition opening on May 10.
 
The special panel of the evening then took the stage to discuss creative entrepreneurship among Black fashion designers: Soull and Dynasty Ogun of L’Enchanteur and Tela D’Amore and Ev Bravado of Who Decides War. All were children of immigrants from Africa and the Caribbean, and they talked about their styles being inspired by the various diaspora cultures that they interacted with while growing up in New York. I grew up in Florida, with Bahamian roots, and could completely identify with how everyone influences each other. They spoke of being raised in and dressing for church, which inspired their designs that are seen in the Superfine exhibit. It was a great discussion.
 
Shadawn Smith, Executive Director, The Billie Holiday Theatre, and Executive Vice President, Arts and Culture, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation spoke as well. She is a very impressive presence.
 
Guests and attendees reflecting on Bed-Stuy’s stylish reputation were first greeted by Billie Holiday Theatre’s latest exhibitions, “We Love You, Black Woman” and “Sky’s The Limit: Music is My Resistance”.   

“We Love You, Black Woman: A Celebration of Strength, Resilience, and Love” is an exhibition honoring the unparalleled strength, wisdom, beauty, and contributions of Black women throughout history. The exhibit runs through May 25, 2025. Curated with care, this exhibition reflects on the journey of Black women—from the courage of the first enslaved women who chose freedom, to trailblazing figures like Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, and Shirley Chisholm. It also highlights the brilliance of contemporary Black women, including the 92% who shaped history by casting their votes in the 2024 elections.

“Sky’s The Limit: Music is My Resistance” opened February 15 and runs through May 30. This exhibition delves into how music has influenced the journey and advancement of African Diasporic people using sculpture, painting, and photography. It examines music as a medium for storytelling, a catalyst for change, and a voice for the voiceless. At the center of this exhibition is Banfield’s monumental stainless steel and bronze installation paying tribute to the legendary Notorious B.I.G. This installation represents Black artists in public art and features an exclusive mix curated by DJ Jahmed.
 
Admission is FREE for both exhibits.
 
How did a panel talk about a Met Museum exhibition on the Upper East Side end up taking place within the Restoration Plaza Complex in Bedford-Stuyvesant Brooklyn? Billie Holiday Theatre has been a center of culture in Brooklyn since 1972. The Theatre‘s Executive Director and Restoration’s EVP of Arts and Culture, Shadawn Smith, worked at the Met for five years and continues a close relationship with the institution. This is the second joint Met event with the Theatre.
 
The award-winning Billie Holiday Theatre is 53 years old in May. I’ve attended many events there. See art, watch plays and dance performances, take classes, attend panel talks and more.
 
You can watch the panel talk on the Met website and Youtube. The Superfine exhibit is at the Met May 10 – October 26.
 

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