00:00Dandyism is, you know, this expressive tool that gives you an opportunity to be able to exist and be unapologetic.
00:12Before Usher walked the 2025 Met Gala red carpet with his wife and performed during the event,
00:18he spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about his fashion inspirations,
00:21the significance of this year's theme, superfine tailoring black style, and more.
00:25Usher was chosen to be one of the committee members for this year's Met Gala alongside the likes of Andre 3000,
00:31Dochi, Iowa Devery, and Jeremy Pope, among others.
00:35To be able to be a part of those conversations, understand the level of curation,
00:41and even make suggestions of designers that I think should be noted, like Brandon Murphy,
00:50in the exhibition is very important, was very important to me.
00:55While Usher has attended the Met Gala several times over the years,
00:58he shared why being a part of this year's event is especially meaningful to him,
01:02given the theme of superfine tailoring black style, which explores the history of black dandyism.
01:07There's a story with dandyism that, you know, represents escapism, represents optimism,
01:14represents, you know, this eternal longing to exist and be seen and recognized.
01:20So, to be a part of that curation is better than all of the other ones, in my opinion,
01:28which is part of the reason that I decided that I would curate a table this year.
01:32I think I got a hang of it, right?
01:34So now I know what to do with it and who to invite.
01:37So, yeah, I'm very happy to be here.
01:41Usher went on to speak more about the meaning behind this year's theme.
01:44Dandyism, if you just look at it as a, you know, tailored person who wants to wear a suit,
01:50it's more than that.
01:52Yeah, it's a, it's a, it's a posturing.
01:55It's actually a, an opportunity to, to exist in a way, as I said, a visual communication
02:03that says without seeing anything, I made it, I'm wearing the best, I have the best
02:11and I'm unapologetic about it in this moment.
02:14And when it comes to his fashion inspirations,
02:16Usher opened up about the iconic figures who have inspired him over the years.
02:20I mean, going all the way back to Billy Dee Williams, right?
02:24Being this elegant gentleman, Sidney Poitier, you know, Harry Belafonte, Ben Vereen,
02:32you know, all of these guys who I think made grand statements.
02:36And then you kind of get into the exaggerated idea of expression through fashion prints.
02:41So I've been inspired by all these people to create these moments that I've made in my career.
02:47For much more from the 2025 Met Gala, go to THR.com.
02:51This is the Hollywood Reporter News.
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