O n May 5, The Metropolitan Museum of Art hosts its annual Met Gala—an enormous world-renowned fundraiser that gathers luminaries from the spheres of art, business, politics, sports, and entertainment to raise money for the museum’s Costume Institute.

The Met’s exhibition charts the evolution of the Black dandy from the 18th century to today. Here’s what to look for on the red carpet.

Black queer men have used the Met Gala not just to dress up — but to make powerful statements about identity, queerness, and Black excellence.