Pinstripes and Power: Fabien Montique’s Met Gala Expressions
Channeling this year’s theme of Black dandyism, the visual artist reimagines traditional codes through quietly powerful images.
Rooted in Barbados and shaped by creative homes in New York and Paris, Fabien Montique brings a global yet deeply personal lens to his photography. His work moves fluidly between the imagined and the intimate, exploring themes like rave culture, the joys of childhood and Black identity, often in collaboration with some of the world’s leading creative figures. At its core, Montique’s practice is a tribute to the enduring human spirit: resilient and ever-evolving.
Ahead of the 2025 Met Gala, the photographer turns his eye to this year's theme of “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” interpreting it as a form of defiance. Using suiting as a language of power and self-determination, Montique constructs a visual manifesto, employing pinstripes, sheer fabrics and delicate embroidery as expressions of quiet power.
Below, he opens up about the ideas hidden within his new editorial shot exclusively for GOAT.
Dandyism is anti-conformity wrapped up in a nice suit. It’s a push against establishment in pinstripes and a bow tie—with a laugh.
Fabien Montique