If you haven’t seen the exhibition Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, make sure to visit before it closes, especially if you live nearby in New York.
This groundbreaking exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City details how Dandyism is contained within black fashion. A Dandy is someone who “studies above everything else to dress elegantly and fashionably.” According to The Met, the exhibition is organized into twelve sections that build a specific, but not definitive, vocabulary of Black dandyism inspired by writer Zora Neal Hurston in her 1934 essay “Characteristics of Negro Expression.”
The 2025 Met Gala, as a prelude to the exhibition’s opening, featured Dandyism as its theme for the annual fundraiser. The gala inspired me to create my own dandyism style.
We are showing you some of the exhibition highlights.
This exquisite jockey jacket looks to be screenprinted; however, each strip of fabric is hand-sewn. It can be found in the Champions Section. The level of detail needed to create this flawless jacket is fantastic.
Monica L. Miller served as the guest curator for the exhibition. She is the chair of African Studies at Barnard College, Columbia University. She gives her overview of the exhibit in the video below. She also wrote the groundbreaking book “Slaves to Fashion”.
Beauty Section
In the Beauty section, you will see Prince’s ruffled shirt featured on display.
I laid out above eight pounds of my money for a suit of superfine clothes to dance with at my freedom.
Olaudah Equiano, 1789
The great quote by Olaudah Equiano, which states freedom and liberation, is the inspiration for the exhibition’s title.Equiano’s autobiography is featured in the exhibtion and is shown above.
In the disguise section of the exhibition, the fantastic story of William and Ellen Craft, who wrote a book about their run for freedom, which is highlighted in the exhibition, see below.
Respectability, gallery view
Another favorite was the feature in the Respectability section of Frederick Douglass’s topcoat, hat, sunglasses, and pocketwatch. His attire represented being a free man, and he knew just how important time was to him.
I thought this image was so good because it features men of African ancestry tailoring and crafting bespoke garments.
Tailor boys at work 1899-1900. Platinum print. 7 1/2 × 9 7/16″ (19.1 × 24 cm). Gift of Lincoln Kirstein.
We learned so much in this exhibit that you keep wanting to know more. I bought the book, Slaves to Fashion, from Amazon. To purchase the book by Metropolitan Museum of Art book on the exhibition, you can click this link: Superfine: Tailoring Black Style
Many thanks to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, for providing the team with the images from the exhibition in order to write this post.
If you need inspiration to pursue your dreams, I have just read a book that I know will help. This book will get you on your path to success in life and in your business.
“I hope you enjoy the journey within these pages.” Ron Rubin
I want to share some background on Rubin’s remarkable achievements.
In 1971, Rubin dreamed of owning a winery while studying viticulture and enology at the University of California at Davi . Forty years later, in 2011, that dream came true when he purchased the River Road Family Vineyards and Winery located in the Green Valley of the Russian River Valley, Sonoma County.
Rubin begabegan n his beverage career in 1972 with his family’s business, Central Wholesale Liquor Co. in Mount Vernon, Illinois, where he remained for the nex22 yearsrs.
In 1994, Ron purchased The Republic of Tea, a specialty tea business in Marin County, California, which his son, Todd, currently leads.
In 2017, Ron funded The Maynard Amerine Wine Label and Menu Collection at U.C. Davis by providing the seed funding to create a searchable online database, making the collection usable around the world. He also began the TRAINED FOR “SAVING LIVES” program in collaboration with the American Red Cross and ZOLL Medical Corporatio. River Road Family Vineyards and Winery is covering the cost of one ZOLL AED PLUS (Automated External Defibrillator) unit. To date, 450 United States wineries have joined this program, resulting in over 2,000 newly trained staff members in CPR, AED, and First Aid.
What touched me about this book is that he always prioritized his family over his busines. Rubin gives you a step-by-step process of how he achieved success in life, valuing every step of the way.
“The deepest satisfaction you will find will come from your family, from your spouses and children, from those who shared their love and supported your dreams.” Ron Rubin
The book is an easy read, and the chapters are very short.
Order your hardcopy of an actual success book of wisdo . This book should be a required read for every university business class. Gold in Your Backyard Book
GIVEAWAY
In conjunction with the release of Rubin’s book, we are offering our readers a chance to win an assortment of Republic of Tea products.
Leave us a comment below, letting us know what your favorite flavor of tea is. One winner will be selected at random and recieve this gift set.
The winner must be a current subscriber of our blog (click HERE to subscribe), must be a US resident and must submit their full mailing address. The giveaway runs through October 26th at 11:59pm CT). The winner will be selected on October 27th and will notified via email to submit their mailing address. They will have 24 hours to reply. If they do not respond in that timeframe, a new winner will be selected and the process will repeat until the mailing address has been confimred.
Beauty has always been about more than appearances. Although trends and standards change (sometimes in significant ways, sometimes in subtle ones) over time, the idea that true beauty comes from both within and without remains constant. It’s something we’re taught from a young age, and it’s something we should all try to remember. It’s not easy, of course, but it can be done, and with that in mind, keep reading to find out more.
Nurturing Inner Beauty Inner beauty begins with wellbeing, and that means a whole range of things like a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate rest.They all play roles in giving you more confidence and energy. Over and above physical health, working out how to stay positive, kindness, and resilience can transform the way you see yourself and how others see you. People often find that when they take care of their inner wellbeing, through mindfulness, self-care routines, or nurturing relationships, for example, their outer appearance naturally reflects this inner glow.
Simple practices can make a difference too. For example, journaling helps organise thoughts and reduce stress, and practising gratitude, even for small things, can change your perspective and improve your mood. And surrounding yourself with supportive people who lift you up can strengthen confidence and make inner beauty shine more strongly – who could say no to any of that?
Enhancing Outer Beauty Outer beauty is often viewed as the first impression, but it goes far deeper than surface looks. Grooming, skincare, and dressing in ways that make you feel confident all play a part in shaping your appearance, and for some, professional treatments or aesthetic enhancements could also be part of the journey. In fact, many people choose to work with experts in the field to explore safe and effective options, whether that’s advanced skincare, non-invasive treatments, or in some cases, plastic surgery, and professionals such as plastic surgeon Dr. Ariel Ourian provide guidance for those looking for safe ways to refine their features while keeping results natural.
The key is to view outer beauty not as a mask but as a complement to the confidence and life inside you, and choosing routines and treatments that make you feel comfortable helps to do just that.
Creating Balance Blending inner and outer beauty is about balance, not extremes, and it’s absolutely possible to enjoy self-expression through makeup or treatments while also focusing on emotional and mental wellbeing, for example. The fact is that taking time for both self-care and appearance creates a more holistic sense of beauty, and that’s going to be more sustainable than anything else in the long run.
One way to achieve balance is by creating daily rituals that touch on both. For example, a morning skincare routine paired with a short meditation can set the tone for the day, and good evening wind-down habits, like removing makeup while reflecting on positive moments from the day, can be perfect for both body and mind.
Final Thoughts True beauty shines brightest when the inner and outer meet in harmony, and by investing in health, self-confidence, and personal care, and exploring professional support where it feels right, you can create a balance that feels both authentic and empowering.
Do you ever feel that the world is racing past you at such a fast pace that you want to stop and take a break from the madness? The pressures of everyday life, whether it is family, work, or just life, can be overwhelming, and you want to run away and seek peace. My hubby and I did this a few weeks back when we celebrated our anniversary. This year has been incredibly full with work and family commitments, so we just needed a few days to reflect on where we have been and what we want for the rest of this year. We decided that one of the main goals for the rest of 2025 was to delve deeper into God’s Word and cultivate a closer relationship with Him.
Finding the right place begin that deep dive into the WORD is often a stumbling block for many people. My recommendation is pick up a study bible and see where it takes you. I recommend to one that speaks to you and will help you make that connection with GOD. Right now, I would recmmend the new Alexander R. Maclaren Study Bible. This Bible takes the teachings of the great 19th century preacher, Alexander Maclaren and brings into the 21st century. Maclaren is regarded as one of the important preachers of his time; and his books are still being studied by preachers of today.
You can purchase the Bible on Amazon or directly visit the Thomas Nelson website.
Giveaway Winner Announcement! In conjunction with the release of Macalren’s bible, we offered a readers an exciting giveway. Congratulations to
~~ STEPHANIE ~~.
Stephanie will receive her own copy of this incredible Bible. YEAH! Congrats to Stephanie! Stephanie, our marketing team will be sending you a copy of the Bible in a few weeks.
Stay tuned for our next giveway annoucement, coming soon!
I pray that you are having a wonderful day!
Happy First Day of Autumn! I am looking forward to the cooling temperatures and the falling leaves, sipping hot apple cider while watching a good movie.
If you are looking for a great movie that your whole family will enjoy, I recommend that you check out LIGHT OF THE WORLD.
Synopsis of LIGHT OF THE WORLD
It’s 30 AD and everyone is expectantly awaiting the coming Messiah. While Jesus isn’t exactly what they imagined, there is something special about this man. Soon, John, James, Andrew, Peter, and others begin to follow Jesus on an unexpected adventure. This beautifully animated story of Jesus is told through the eyes of his beloved young friend, the Apostle John. From the beginning of Jesus’ ministry through his crucifixion and resurrection, LIGHT OF THE WORLD powerfully illustrates how Jesus of Nazareth changed the world forever and still changes lives today!
A limited number of theaters are still showing the wonderful movie. Click HERE to find a theater near you. It will be streaming online via Barnes and Noble in early November.
Giveaway Winner
In conjunction with the release of this family-friendly move, we offered our blogging community a giveaway opportunity. Congratulations to
~~ SUSAN S. ~~
Susan is the winner of an Amazon gift card. YEAH! Congrats to Susan!! A marketing team has sent you the gift card via email.
Stay tuned for our next giveway winner announcement!
Learn More About JT Bubbling with Elegance and Grace is a place for life long learners. The Bubbling With Elegance And Grace team was created 14 years ago. A passion for fashion sparked a lifestyle blog for our Elegant Community to enjoy. We are thankful and in gratitude to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for those who have been with us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
We are showing you some of the exhibition highlights.
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