A Time to Celebrate - I am Dandy London book launch

The scene at the London book launch at Gieves and Hawkes for 

I am Dandy: The Return of the Elegant Gentleman

Me and Natty at the entrance display to Gieves and Hawkes

For the most part I feel like my work is never done - I'm never satisfied and I always think I could have done better.  I know that sounds horrible, but I've come to realize this is the natural state of most artists and anyone with a creative drive - so eloquently described by Martha Graham in her famous letter to Agnes de Mille.  BUT the lesson that all the years and late nights have taught me is that there are times to celebrate, there are times to just enjoy the moment - and that time is now!

I don't think I could have imagined a better party for the launch of I am Dandy than the one thrown on Sept 17 at Gieves and Hawkes at No. 1 Savile Row in London.

There was Gieves itself - the iconic address and fantastic party location.  The team there did and amazing job to make sure it all went off like clockwork (Thanks Jolyon and William!).  Balvenie and Reyka vodka provided delicious drinks.  Lina and Emma at Gestalten were an incredible help.  There were many new faces, and many familiar ones, including nearly all the men featured in the book from London - no small feat indeed!  In one room!

The friendly faces of Theo Osborn, Barima, Celia, Steven Hitchcock, and Winston Chesterfield

When asked to say a few words I did that very thing.  Two of them were "thank you" and the other four were "beauty and elegance matter".  I'm exaggerating only slightly.  To be completely honest I was so moved by the support I felt all around me that I don't think I could have said much more without, well, being a little too emotional.  Here is what I meant:

What I've learned from all the men I've photographed for the book and beyond is that beauty matters, elegance matters.  It is not frivolous, and it is not just skin deep.  The world can be hideous, but we create our world, we create what we see all around us.  Why not create elegance, why not seek beauty?  It profoundly changes everything.  I am inspired by these men, and I thank them for this.  

A very special thank you to Ray Frensham for setting the wheels in motion to collaborate with Gieves, and Against Nature/Doyle Mueser for making my extremely fun to wear suit!

Zack MacLeod Pinsent, Michael "Atters" Attree,  Ray Frensham

Tony Sylvester and Barima

Tony our doorman for the evening gets his book signed by Natty

Ray Frensham talks to Russian TV

The one, the only - Robin Dutt

My view from the stage...

Please do check out the great set of photos and post that Kelly Rene Miller did for her blog Vintage Vault  and the post Stewart Gibson of Dandyism.net did. 

Note:  photos not marked are by Kelly Desmond Bray