Oct 15, 2026

What Does Sunday Best Mean to You?

Seven people share what Sunday best means to them as a new major exhibition opens at the AGO

Gordon Shadrach, 2026. Photo: Craig Boyko © AGO.

A prompt for reverence. A way to meet and exceed expectations. A celebration of identity. The tradition of showing up as your best self for God. Sunday best carries many sacred and resonant meanings in Black communities around the world. Now, it is the namesake of a new major exhibition on view at the AGO, exploring the pride and cultural significance of Black style.

Sunday Best: The Power & Glory of Black Style traces the histories of migration, activism, self-determination, and fashion design by highlighting the lasting tradition of dressing in one's “best” clothing. Told through displays of fashion, visual art, ephemera, and time-based media, this expansive exhibition considers the use of style and self-fashioning in Black diasporic communities, from the 1880s to the present.

Making its world debut in Toronto, Sunday Best is conceived and curated by Dr. Julie Crooks (Curator, Arts of Global Africa & the Diaspora, AGO) and Dr. Jason Cyrus (Associate Lecturer, London College of Fashion), with Amanda Bock (The Lynne and Harold Honickman Assistant Curator of Photographs, Philadelphia Museum of Art), and Clare Sauro (Cara Keegan Fry Curator at the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection at Drexel University). The exhibition design is in consultation with U.K.-based JA Projects architecture and design firm.

On Friday, October 16, the AGO will celebrate the exhibition's opening with a special fashion show by Canadian label Greta Constantine led by designer Kirk Pickersgill, marking its 20th anniversary. Toronto-based vocal group Echo Collective will provide the soundtrack, followed by a DJ set to end the evening with dancing.  

Foyer recently connected with seven artists, designers, and contributors to the exhibition. After AGO photographer Craig Boyko photographed them in their carefully constructed outfits, we asked each of them a simple question: “What does the phrase 'Sunday Best' mean to you?”

Their answers offer a glimpse into familial connections, personal memories and ways of dressing. Read on for their perspectives and take a closer look at the garments they wore that day.

Gordon Shadrach

It’s an understanding of how to express yourself in a way that is not only special to you but that also meets the community standard. For Black people, Sunday best isn’t just about meeting expectations that may have been placed upon us; it’s a way of exceeding those expectations and subverting them at the same time.

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Gordon Shadrach, 2026. Photo: Craig Boyko © AGO.

Gordon 1

Gordon Shadrach, 2026. Photo: Craig Boyko © AGO.

Gordon 2

Gordon Shadrach, 2026. Photo: Craig Boyko © AGO.

Gordon 3

Gordon is an artist and educator. His work, Season Opener (2021), is on view in the Michael & Sonja Koerner Gallery (gallery 502) on Level 5 in Sunday Best.

William Ukoh

Sunday best is a prompt for reverence. Growing up in the church, you showed up on Sundays looking your best to praise and worship. That prompt has carried on into my adulthood, helping me recognize what an important event is and how I should present for it.

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William Ukoh, 2026. Photo: Craig Boyko © AGO.

William Ukoh Slide 1

William Ukoh, 2026. Photo: Craig Boyko © AGO.

William Ukoh Slide 2

William Ukoh, 2026. Photo: Craig Boyko © AGO.

William Ukoh Slide 3

William is a multidisciplinary artist specializing in photography and film direction. His work, Untitled (2025), is on view in Carol & Morton Rapp Gallery (gallery 505) on Level 5 in Sunday Best.

Linda V. Carter

When I was coming up, particularly if you were going to be around Black people, you had to make sure you looked your best. Your shoes were shined, your dress was pressed, and your hair was laid. Sunday best means you’re going out and you’re going to be around people who are going to judge you, so you have to look good.

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Linda V. Carter, 2026. Photo: Craig Boyko © AGO.

Linda V. Carter Slide 1

Linda V. Carter, 2026. Photo: Craig Boyko © AGO.

Linda V. Carter Slide 2

Linda V. Carter, 2026. Photo: Craig Boyko © AGO.

Linda V. Carter Slide 3

Linda is a fashion model, actor, media personality and producer.

Spencer Badu

For me, Sunday best is about self-representation and self-presentation. Ultimately, showing up as your best self for God. Coming from a household with my parents who wore uniforms all week, Sunday was the day they were able to express themselves and show their style.

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Spencer Badu, 2026. Photo: Craig Boyko © AGO.

Spencer 1

Spencer Badu, 2026. Photo: Craig Boyko © AGO.

Spencer 2

Spencer Badu, 2026. Photo: Craig Boyko © AGO.

Spencer 3

Spencer is a fashion designer and founder of SP Badu. His work, Ensemble and Hat (2025), is on view on Level 5 in Sunday Best. A collection of SP Badu garments and accessories is available for purchase in the AGO Shop.

Melodie McDaniel

Watching the traditions and rituals of churchgoers. Witnessing the pride, individuality, their wardrobe, hats, and, of course, the connection to God and faith. It’s not a tradition I grew up with, but I was always very inspired by it.

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Melodie McDaniel, 2026. Photo: Craig Boyko © AGO.

Melodie McDaniel Slide 1

Melodie McDaniel, 2026. Photo: Craig Boyko © AGO.

Melodie McDaniel Slide 2

Melodie McDaniel Slide 3

Melodie is a photographer. Her works, Untitled 1-6 (1995), are on view in Carol & Morton Rapp Gallery (gallery 505) on Level 5 in Sunday Best. Untitled 1 is also on the front cover of the Sunday Best exhibition catalogue.

Jayden Ali

Family, ritual, food, and nourishment. The importance of being in touch with those who came before you, as well as those who will come after you. Your grandparents, nieces and nephews. Your history and heritage.

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J 1

J 2

Jayden is an architect, artist, educator and Founding Director of U.K.-based JA Projects. The exhibition design for Sunday Best is in consultation with the architecture and design firm.

Saint and Nevon Harris

Understanding and appreciating how the people that came before us have represented themselves and their history. Because of the hardships they have overcome, Sunday best means so much more than dressing up, it means representing the best of us and our ancestors.

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Saint and Nevon Harris Slide 1

Saint and Nevon Harris Slide 2

Saint and Nevon Harris Slide 3

Saint and Nevon Harris Slide 4

Saint is a stylist, fashion influencer and content creator. His brother, Nevon, is a student.

Sunday Best: The Power & Glory of Black Style is on view now until February 28, 2027, on Level 5 of the AGO. Learn more about the official opening event happening Friday, October 16 here.