As the city soaked under a steady spring rain and Manhattan remained shrouded in cloud, warmth and brilliance radiated from the Gladson LTD showroom in Midtown. Inside, the weather felt far away. Instead, there was a different kind of climate—one defined by sharp tailoring, timeless style, and the bold, unshakable elegance of Black identity.
Timed to align with this year’s Met Gala: Superfine – Tailoring Black Style, No Chaser Magazine partnered with Gladson LTD to host a gathering that went far beyond fabric and fit. The Met’s theme underscores the deep significance of tailoring in the shaping of Black self-expression. Our response? A conversation titled Elegant Superfly—an homage to the confidence, charisma, and legacy that define Black sartorial excellence.
Moderated by No Chaser’s Editor-in-Chief, Guerre, the panel brought together a formidable group of voices, each with a distinctive vantage point on Black Style.
- Kamau Hosten, a Brooklyn-based creative and seasoned menswear expert with over 15 years in the field and a decade in journalism.
- Darhel Anthony, founder of Coup De Grâce, a tailoring house launched in 2018 that continues to push boundaries while honoring tradition.
- Kyle Laurence Foxworth, a native New Yorker whose decade-long presence in menswear has helped shape contemporary taste.
- Darryl Lesure, Detroit-born, Georgia-rooted, a style anthropologist and contributor to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s UATL guide, with a deep appreciation for cultural nuance.
As the evening unfolded, so did a conversation rooted in pride, history, and flair. Guests were immersed in a sensory tapestry—music by Fela Kuti, Curtis Mayfield, and Prince drifted through the space, each track echoing pivotal moments in the Black style continuum. Meanwhile, archival video footage projected on the wall took guests from the electric swing of 1940s Lindy Hop to the high-octane groove of Soul Train in the ’70s.
This was more than a panel—it was a celebration of looking good and feeling even better. A moment of reflection. A reminder that style, especially in the Black tradition, is never just about clothes. It’s about presence. It’s about power. It’s about legacy.
Thank you to the talent photographers that captured the event: Collis Torrington, and portrait photographer Naeem Douglas
Kaumau Hosten for the expert styling of the. Mannequins.
The following brands for the amazing outfits displayed: Mokief, DeCarlos Bespoke, Ascot’s Father, Flame Keepers Hat Club, Blackstock & Weber, Kamsten
Featured Private Collection pieces from: E.J Mcknight. and Darryl Lesure, Bevin Elias
and thank you to:
Gladson LTD, Falconer Agency, and the Isle of Harris Distillery for helping us craft a night to remember.
Photos By: Collis Torrington @collistory
