The 2025 Met Gala kicked off with a spotlight on Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, a groundbreaking exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute that explores Black dandyism from its 18th-century roots to contemporary fashion innovators. Meanwhile, the luxury sector braces for economic shifts as OTB Group warns of tariff-driven price increases affecting brands like Maison Margiela and Diesel. This week’s top fashion headlines also include Gucci’s cruise collection unveiling, South Korea’s POST ARCHIVE FACTION debut at Pitti Uomo, Reebok’s new basketball head, and Yoshida & Co.’s 90th anniversary celebration.
The Met Gala and superfine: A celebration of black dandyism
On Monday night, the Metropolitan Museum of Art hosted one of fashion’s most anticipated events—the annual Met Gala—ushering in the Costume Institute’s newest exhibition, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style. The star-studded evening drew cultural icons such as Rihanna, dazzling in Marchesa Jacobs, and Met Gala co-chair Colman Domingo, clad in Valentino, to the Met’s famed steps.
Days before the gala, Hypebeast was granted an exclusive preview of Superfine with guest curator Monica Miller, whose 2009 book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity laid the groundwork for this visually rich exhibition. Opening to the public on May 10, the showcase offers an expansive narrative of Black dandyism—from its early history to its vibrant presence in today’s fashion landscape—through costumes, photographs, fine art, and archival materials.
Miller emphasizes that Superfine is more than a retrospective; it’s a living dialogue about identity, culture, and self-expression. The exhibition traces how Black dandies have used style as a tool of resistance and affirmation, reframing masculinity and Blackness on their own terms. The show’s debut at the Met Gala signals a powerful acknowledgment of these contributions, setting a precedent for inclusivity and representation in the fashion canon.
OTB group warns of tariff-driven luxury price increases
While the Met Gala celebrated sartorial innovation, the luxury fashion industry faces growing economic headwinds. Italian conglomerate OTB Group, which houses brands such as Maison Margiela, Diesel, Jil Sander, Marni, and Amiri, issued a cautionary statement regarding the potential impact of U.S. tariffs on luxury goods.
OTB CEO Ubaldo Minelli revealed that if the tariffs imposed under former President Donald Trump’s trade policies go into full effect, prices across the group could rise by as much as 8 to 9 percent. “We are evaluating, brand by brand, possible actions to reduce the impact,” Minelli stated during a press conference tied to the company’s new sustainability report. Despite efforts to mitigate costs, preliminary simulations indicate that price adjustments may be unavoidable.
This prospective increase signals challenges ahead for both consumers and brands navigating geopolitical shifts in trade. OTB’s proactive communication highlights how the fashion industry remains vulnerable to broader economic policies, even as it strives for sustainable innovation.
Gucci’s cruise 2026 collection to premiere in Florence
In other luxury news, Gucci has announced that its Cruise 2026 collection will debut on May 15 at the brand’s Florence archive, Palazzo Settimanni. The 15th-century Renaissance building, nestled in the Oltrarno district, has played multiple roles in Gucci’s history—from factory to showroom—and was recently converted into a living archive in 2021.
Gucci CEO Stefano Cantino described the archive as “a living space where Gucci’s identity codes are preserved and reinterpreted.” Presenting the cruise collection here underscores Gucci’s commitment to honoring its cultural and artisanal roots while pushing the brand’s narrative forward under the guidance of the current design team, ahead of Demna’s anticipated debut.
South Korean brand POST ARCHIVE FACTION to headline Pitti Uomo July 2025
Pitti Uomo, the esteemed menswear trade fair, has announced South Korean streetwear label POST ARCHIVE FACTION (PAF) as its honorary guest designer for the July 2025 edition. This marks a significant milestone in the global rise of South Korean fashion, reflecting the country’s growing influence on the international style scene.
The event, supported by South Korea’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency, will showcase PAF’s SS25 collection, though the precise schedule remains under wraps. Pitti Immagine’s communications director Lapo Cianchi emphasized the increasing attention given to South Korean brands in recent seasons, highlighting the market’s expanding relevance to Italian fashion and global trade fairs alike.
Reebok names Jide Osifeso head of basketball
Reebok has made a notable addition to its leadership by appointing designer Jide Osifeso as Head of Basketball. Since stepping quietly into the role last summer, Osifeso has infused the brand’s basketball footwear and apparel with his streetwear savvy and cultural awareness.
Known for collaborations with Reigning Champ, and projects linked to influential figures such as Kendrick Lamar, SZA, and Daniel Kaluuya, Osifeso brings a fresh creative energy. His involvement with Reebok dates back to 2019 as Senior Director of Marketing – Footwear and Product Management, making his promotion a natural evolution as the brand seeks to deepen its cultural relevance in the competitive sneaker market.
Yoshida & Co. Commemorates 90 years with sustainable PORTER tanker bags
Celebrating nine decades of craftsmanship, Japanese brand Yoshida & Co. has unveiled a special “Coyote” colorway edition of its iconic PORTER Tanker bag collection. This release marks the first use of a 100% plant-derived nylon developed in collaboration with Toray Industries, signaling the brand’s commitment to sustainability.
The earthy-toned collection features seven bag styles, including the Daypack and Square Tote, all lined with a vintage flight-jacket-inspired “Traveling Map” print. The playful interior detail reflects Yoshida & Co.’s heritage and forward-thinking ethos, capturing the sentiment, “Everything has changed, and nothing has changed,” perfectly bridging past and present.
This week in fashion, the Met Gala and Superfine: Tailoring Black Style underscore the power of cultural narrative and identity in shaping style’s future. Simultaneously, industry players navigate economic uncertainties and celebrate innovation—from tariff impacts on luxury pricing to Gucci’s heritage-forward cruise show, Pitti Uomo’s international inclusivity, Reebok’s refreshed basketball vision, and Yoshida & Co.’s sustainable milestone. Together, these stories illustrate a dynamic and evolving global fashion landscape in 2025.
