The Met explores the history of Black dandyism, 3D printing proves its value in architecture, and hotels takes cues from art museums. All that and more this week’s Five on Friday.
The Met’s new exhibition celebrates Black dandyism
From left: Ensemble by Pharrell Williams for Louis Vuitton, “Maya Angelou Passport” ensemble by Foday Dumbuya for LABRUM London, ensemble by Virgil Abloh for Louis Vuitton on display at the Met’s Superfine: Tailoring Black Style press conference; photo courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, BFA.com/Zach Hilty
The first Monday in May has become synonymous with the Met Gala, known for its dazzling celebrity fashions, but it also marks the launch of Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, an exhibition put on by the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute that spans 300 years of Black dandyism. Professor Monica L. Miller of Barnard College, whose book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity inspired the exhibit, which opens on May 10th. Featuring more than 200 pieces, the showcase illustrates how Black dandies have used clothing as a statement of identity and a means of navigating cultural and political moments. “Dandyism is a practice that’s not just about clothing, dress, accessories,” Miller told The New York Times. “It’s often about the strategic use of those things in particular political moments, around particular cultural nodes.” A modern icon who is closely related to dandyism is Dapper Dan, who told HD in 2022 that he uses clothes to adapt to the “different people I like being around. Clothes is my business, so I like to impress [people].”
Hotels are looking more like art museums
With public spaces by Hufft, 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis features O by Serkan Özkaya, an orb filled with distilled water, in the lobby; photo courtesy of 21c Museum Hotels
Art in hotels has undergone a transformation, replacing generic prints and replicas with museum-worthy pieces that define spaces as must-visit destinations, writes Fast Company. This shift aligns with evolving traveler preferences, especially for Millennials and Gen Z, who seek immersive, cultural experiences. Hotels such as Denver’s Art Hotel, which showcases a 22,000-piece LED light installation by Leo Villareal, and the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, with its Damien Hirst-designed Empathy suite, integrate high-caliber art as a distinguishing feature. At the forefront of this evolution is 21c Museum Hotels, which sees itself as a contemporary art museum first and a hotel second, inviting passersby into the property to view the artwork on display. “When you walk into a 21c, you’re walking into a hotel lobby, but you’re also walking into a museum gallery,” says Alice Gray Stites, chief curator for 21c Museum Hotels.
Creative partnerships spark unforgettable guest experiences
The Down the Rabbit Hole interactive carousel installation at the PUBLIC Hotel in New York; photo courtesy of PUBLIC Hotel
Hotels are elevating the hospitality game with creative collaborations and one-of-a-kind experiences that offer guests more than just a place to stay. Take Hotel Anna & Bel in Philadelphia. The property partnered with Anthropologie Home to create the Anna suite, a curated space showcasing Anthropologie’s signature eclectic style. Kimpton Hotel Eventi in New York is tapping into pop culture by partnering with Netflix’s Squid Game: The Experience. Guests can extend their adventure with a themed stay that includes challenge-inspired games and an F&B credit to enjoy the hotel’s dining spots. Visual storytelling comes to life at New York’s PUBLIC Hotel, where Down the Rabbit Hole, an interactive carousel installation by Chicago-based artist Pose, takes cues from the city’s iconic street art scene. Meanwhile, Walker Hotel Tribeca, in collaboration with Marimekko and Blue Bottle Coffee, explores Scandinavian minimalism and global coffee culture through an immersive décor-led themed room.
The subtle art of 3D printing
A rendering of a 3D-printed villa at the Canyon Club in Lake Travis, Texas; rendering courtesy of the Canyon Club
Rather than disrupting architecture outright, 3D printing has quietly integrated into the field, enhancing small-scale designs that provide texture, identity, and complexity, writes Architizer. This reflects broader shifts toward localized materials, circular design, and digital workflows. From tiles responsive to daylight patterns to parametric joints, its value lies in adaptability and finesse. Future innovations will likely build on this success, as architects find even more creative, sustainable uses for the technology. Take the Canyon Club, a resort community in Lake Travis, Texas featuring five 3D-printed houses by ICON with interiors from Kempt Studio that have been crafted for energy efficiency and longterm durability. ICON is also behind Liz Lambert’s second iteration of El Cosmico, where the veteran hotelier, alongside BIG, is building the world’s first 3D-printed hotel in West Texas.
The countdown is on for HD Expo + Conference
Party by the Pool at HD Expo + Conference 2024; photo by PWP Studio
From product debuts from more than 600-plus exhibitors to thought-provoking conference sessions from veterans and emerging talents alike, get ready for an action-packed few days of networking, candid conversations, educational panel discussions, and more when HD Expo + Conference lands in Las Vegas next week, May 6-8th. If you haven’t, register for the trade show today.
We are also bringing our HD Awards celebration back to Vegas for a second year. The 21st annual HD Awards was one of our most competitive yet, with nearly 1,300 submissions across product and project categories. Winners from more than 150 finalists will be revealed on Tuesday, May 6th at the Bellagio in what is surely to be a night to remember. You won’t want to miss it. Buy tickets here.
