From Dandy to Décor: Black Elegance in Every Shade
The Spirit of Style
Now that the 2025 Met Gala has come and gone—with its stunning theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”—I found myself diving deeper into the rich history of Black dandyism and its unexpected but beautiful connection to my own work. While watching the red carpet, listening to interviews, and digging deeper, the parallels between the art of tailoring and the slow craft behind the lampshades we create were undeniable. From hand-sewn gathers to carefully pleated knife folds, there’s a shared devotion to detail, to meaning, and to beauty. And it’s absolutely worth celebrating!
With that being said, I can’t help but to share some of my favorite looks!
Black dandyism has always been about more than fashion. It’s about care, expression, and making space for yourself in a world that doesn’t always offer it willingly. It’s about showing up with pride, precision, and purpose. That same spirit runs through the handcrafted lampshades we make at Admiral Landings Designs™—every stitch and every pleat is intentional, much like a dandy’s perfectly chosen accessory.
Just like a finely tailored jacket, our lampshades are crafted slowly and deliberately. They are couture for the home—where fabric becomes story, structure becomes art, and light becomes part of the language.
Lampshades as Living Fashion
The Black dandy paid attention to every. single. detail: a standout lapel, a bold lining, a perfectly tied scarf. These weren’t just fashion statements—they were personal affirmations. A way to be seen, and to say something powerful without saying a word. Oh, and it was powerful, because you couldn't help but to notice!
That’s exactly how we think about our luxury lampshades!
We pick our fabrics like a designer picks the perfect silk—based on how it drapes, feels, and speaks.
We create shapes that nod to custom tailoring—sharp, structured, intentional.
And we finish them with care, right down to the final pleat—just like a dandy checking the shine on their shoes.
Our process is slow for a reason. Every gather, every pleat is hand-crafted to resist trends and mass production. This is about timeless beauty and thoughtful design. Fashion for your home—without the rush. And honestly, in a world where everything’s moving fast—fast fashion, fast decor—it makes slow, intentional design feel even more meaningful, and I'm here for it!
The Met Gala Connection
The Met Gala always reminds us that fashion is art. And Black creatives? We’ve been pushing that art forward in the boldest, most visionary ways. Whether it’s Billy Porter’s golden entrance or Janelle Monáe’s sculptural elegance, Black dandyism keeps showing up and showing out—borrowing from history while dressing the future.
This year’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” hit especially close to home. It opened up conversations about legacy, labor, and the craftsmanship that has always been there but hasn’t always been honored. It made tailoring feel like a true symbol of pride and care—especially for me, since I have actually taught myself how to tailor and shape my own creative path, one stitch at a time.
It's the same pride I pour into every lampshade.
Where the Met’s red carpet tells a story through fashion, we continue that story in the spaces we live in. Living rooms, studies, dining spaces—all deserve that same intentional beauty.
Let There Be Light—with Legacy
Our shades are more than decorative. They’re expressive. They’re full of character and history and purpose.
Every one of them reflects the hand that made it and the heart behind it. They speak through texture and pleat, through shape and glow—just like a dandy speaks through a velvet jacket or silk tie.
Because elegance doesn’t only belong on a red carpet. It belongs in your home.
On your side table.
Above your favorite reading chair.
Warming your most meaningful spaces.
Black dandyism doesn’t just walk—it glows.
Let your home glow with it.
Yours Truly,
The Illuminated Designer™
P.S. What does tailored style look like in your home? Or—if you watched the Met Gala this year—whose look captured that dandy spirit for you? Drop your thoughts, faves, or even your own stories of slow, meaningful design in the comments below. Let’s keep this conversation glowing. 💬💡
