BLK Style Party
On Saturday, May 3, 2025, I hosted a Black Style Party—a celebration deeply inspired by this year’s Met Gala theme: “Super Fine – Tailoring Black Style.” The theme honored the legacy and elegance of Black dandyism, and while it may have looked like a party, it was actually a curated fashion short (code for a fashion film).
Back in January, I sent detailed invitations to a select group of Black women from various walks of life, inviting them to show up as their most authentic selves. I’ll admit—the invitations were a bit wordy—but I wanted the experience to be transparent and intentional. Interestingly, many didn’t read the full details, which led to a beautiful surprise for those who attended.
The event was held in Alexandria, Virginia, with a venue capacity of just 30. I invited 25, and 15 amazing Black women showed up—exactly the right energy for the day.
There were refreshments, yes—but more importantly, there was rich, unfiltered dialogue. We talked about everything from bonnets to shapewear, colored hair, and the responsibility of being fashion-forward in a relationship.
Here are just a few highlights:
Bonnets in Public: One perspective was bonnets are for the home—akin to nightgowns—while another suggested that as bonnets evolve in style, the stigma is beginning to fade. The conclusion? It depends—on age, style, and personal values.
Shapewear Talk: Some women felt shapewear made them look larger by compressing their bodies into unnatural shapes. The recommendation? Try different brands (it may take time and money), and seek out options with plastic boning over metal for comfort. Squeem and Spanx were the top picks.
Colored Hair: Can Black women wear vibrant hair colors like blue, pink, or yellow in public? The room agreed—yes, if done with intention and style. Artist Monica was highlighted as someone who pulls it off beautifully.
Dressing Your Partner: A lively debate asked, If you're fashion-forward, is it your job to style your significant other? Half said yes—especially for public events. Others said no, or shared that their partners actually dress them. The diversity of thought was the beauty of it all.
These conversations reminded me why I hosted this event. Fashion isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s layered, personal, and expressive. I wanted a space where women of all shapes, styles, and stories could be in one room and speak freely.
We also celebrated two beautiful Taurus queens with birthdays in early May—May 6 and May 8—and yes, they showed up and showed out!
To round out the experience, we had a line dance instructor lead a “boots-on-the-ground” tutorial (you’ll catch some of that in the short). The final conversation of the evening was one of the most impactful: What does fashion mean to you as a Black woman? For many, fashion was described as armor, freedom, and a way to self-define in a world that hasn’t always allowed it.
The night ended on an inspiring note with the first Black woman Vice Mayor of Dumfries, reminding us as black women to keep opening doors and creating black history.
All in all, it was a powerful, intimate, and stylish gathering. And—it was a phones-down event. No endless scrolling. Just real connection, conversation, and community.
Please check out the full video recap below. And if you're interested in connecting with anyone you see featured, feel free to email me directly. I’m happy to make introductions—with consent for collaboration.
BLK Style Party 2025