“Superfine” Black Fashion Icons

In the midst of Black History month, the Met Gala theme has been announced – “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” – meaning it’s the perfect time to acknowledge African Americans who have historical levels of style. From streetwear to red carpet, mixing styles in between, these icons are breaking and making fashion rules in an effort to express themselves. 

Doechii

You may remember Doechii with two i’s from her viral TikTok hit, “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake,” but if you missed that era don’t worry, she’s just getting started. After releasing “Alligator Bites Never Heal” and taking home the Grammy for best rap album, Doechii isn’t only establishing a name for herself, but a style as well.

Doechii, whose real name is Jaylah Hickmon, has built her style around self-authenticity. She incorporates an androgynous, preppy style with silhouettes reminiscent of 90s streetwear to show how she’s matured in her art. Some of her go-to brands and designers to achieve her “Swamp Princess” look are Thom Browne, Miu Miu and Willy Chavarria, according to an article from Dazed.

During her performance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” Doechii chose to wear her face tape in a very purposeful, obvious manner to maintain her loyalty to authenticity, but received a lot of criticism. Despite this, she continues to serve face the same way, even clarifying on TikTok that “The face tapes are there on purpose because it’s c*nt.”

Janelle Monáe

You might recognize Janelle Monáe from their music, many movies or their marvelous red carpet ensembles. Monáe, similar to Doechii, is a fashionista who loves to mix and match gendered pieces, patterns and proportions in their looks — this also speaks more to their non-binary identity. 

Many of Monáe’s outfits tend to stick with a distinct color palette, either being almost entirely monochrome with minor accents, or alternating between a few select shades. They also frequently incorporate very vibrant colors that elevate them to another level from the crowd. 

When they’re not styling the most vivid colors, Monáe loves to return to the most classic combination of black and white. Monáe revealed in an article with The Fashion Spot that this fashion choice is “part of an homage to my mother, grandmother and all working-class people who have had to wear a uniform day in and day out.”

Tyler, The Creator

Tyler is no stranger to serving with his very own fashion line “GOLF WANG” being a side business to his rap career. Often dripped out in pastels, mohair and some statement hat, Tyler gives off a more whimsical picture than his lyrics may paint. His playful, boyish style embraces both fun and function, with sometimes showing a Boy Scout-ish aesthetic.  

While Tyler tends to stick with a more masculine silhouette, his patterns, palettes and accessories often take on a more feminine tone. He truly has an eye for what colors complement each other, creating whatever clothing he doesn’t find to complete his artistic vision. Even small details, like nail polish shades, impact how he creates an ensemble. 

Although his style is incredibly personal, he does take inspiration from “hip-hop eccentrics,” such as André 3000, Missy Elliott and Pharrell Williams, according to an interview with Vogue. As Tyler continues to develop his drip into the new “Chromakopia” era, he’s lost a little of the playfulness that once was in favor of more intense colors and shaper lines, but he still delivers a powerful presence. 

Who do you think has the perfect style for the Met Gala this year? Let us know on X @VALLEYmag!

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