At the 2025 Met Gala, Harlem designer and fashion icon Dapper Dan made a powerful statement—not just in style, but in cultural significance. His custom-designed zoot suit featured Sankofa, a popular Adinkra symbol, worn as both a tribute to African heritage and a nod to Black elegance in America.

Dapper Dan’s zoot suit at the 2025 Met Gala featuring the Sankofa bird Dapper Dan’s zoot suit at the 2025 Met Gala featuring the Sankofa bird.
Image © Getty via Vanity Fair

What Is the Sankofa Symbol?

The Sankofa symbol, often depicted as a bird looking backward with an egg in its beak, comes from the Akan people of Ghana. It carries a timeless message: “Return and get it.” It reminds us that progress comes through learning from the past. In West African philosophy, the Sankofa bird is a call to reclaim cultural knowledge and ancestral wisdom in shaping the future.

For a deeper understanding, see Sankofa on AdinkraSymbols.org, a comprehensive resource on the meaning and usage of Adinkra symbols.

Sankofa icon Sankofa icon

Sankofa symbol illustration
Source: AdinkraSymbols.org

The Design and Meaning

Dapper Dan’s Met Gala look was built around a wide-lapelled zoot suit–an iconic silhouette popularized in Harlem during the 1930s and 40s. The back of his jacket showcased a large, embroidered Sankofa bird, while the alternate version of the symbol–the stylized heart–was also subtly integrated into the lining and patterns of the suit.

Dapper Dan posing on the Met Gala red carpet Celebrating Black dandyism with African symbolism.
Image via Vogue

Reclaiming Adinkra on a Global Stage

Adinkra symbols are more than design elements; they’re visual proverbs used for centuries by the Akan people. Originally printed on fabric for royalty and spiritual leaders, today they appear in art, fashion, education, and architecture.

Dapper Dan’s choice to spotlight the Sankofa symbol on fashion’s biggest night brought renewed attention to the broader Adinkra system, emphasizing cultural pride and historical consciousness.

References

  1. “Sankofa” – AdinkraSymbols.org
    A detailed explanation of the Sankofa symbol, its visual forms, and the deeper meaning of returning to one’s roots to inform future growth.
    https://www.adinkrasymbols.org/symbols/sankofa/

  2. “About Adinkra Symbols” – AdinkraSymbols.org
    An authoritative overview of the Adinkra symbol system, including its origins in Akan culture, symbolism, and relevance today.
    https://www.adinkrasymbols.org/

  3. “Dapper Dan Explains the Sankofa Symbolism Behind His 2025 Met Gala Look” – Vanity Fair
    A direct interview with Dapper Dan where he elaborates on the cultural message behind his outfit.
    https://www.vanityfair.com/style/story/dapper-dan-on-the-symbolism-behind-his-met-gala-2025-look

  4. “2025 Met Gala: Zoot Suits and the Return of Black Elegance” – Vogue
    A visual roundup and analysis of the resurgence of classic Black American styles, including zoot suits, at the event.
    https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/2025-met-gala-zoot-suit-celebrity-fashion-trend