I am Dandy in Chicago!

I’m very excited to be visiting Chicago for events surrounding the opening of the exhibit

Dandy Lion: (Re)Articulating Black Masculine Identity

at the Museum of ContemporaryPhotography, on view from April 6 thru July 12, 2015.

This remarkable group photography exhibit is the brain child of curator Shantrelle P. Lewis, a brilliant mover and shaker who has always been a supporter of the Dandy Portraits.  I first met Shantrelle as she embarked on her dandy journey with the original incarnation of the Dandy Lion exhibit in Harlem in 2010.  I’ve been a fan of her ever since!  

The Dandy Lion exhibit has had many incarnations since, most notably in Amsterdam and Washington DC, and it has only grown and become more relevant.  I’m very happy to be exhibiting seven portraits and participating in the symposium for this incarnation in Chicago! 

Here are the events not to be missed in Chicago:

April 8 - I am Dandy book signing party at Richard’s Fabulous Finds 6-9pm - RSVP event page

April 9 - Opening of exhibit at MoCP 5-7pm - RSVP event page

April 10 - Symposium for exhibit at MoCP 2-6pm - RSVP event page

Here I am inspecting one of the prints...of none other than Dr. Andre Churchwell of course!

Elegance in an Age of Crisis - Opening Party

Bruce Boyer and Luca Rubinacci

Elegance in an Age of Crisis: Fashions of the 1930s exhibit is now open at the Museum at FIT from Feb 7 - April 19, 2014.  I was lucky enough to be at the opening festivities where I saw many old friends, Dandy Portrait subjects, and some new ones too, like Luca Rubinacci visiting from Milan.  Best of all I got to celebrate with Bruce Boyer and Patricia Mears, both of whom have been working on this darn exhibit and book tirelessly for at least a year now.  Bravo to them, and all the others involved, namely Andrew Yamato who was commissioned to make a film for the show!  It is an inspiring exhibit that should not be missed.

More photos of the party-goes and exhibit can be viewed here.



I had a good time talking with Luca Rubinacci, who lent suits from his grandfather's collection for the exhibit.  He told me what he enjoys about dressing are the sometimes hidden details that are just for himself - the lining, the print on a pocket square (a map of Italy), or this curious chili pepper charm attached to his lapel pin.  It stays tucked away in his pocket, until...

Patricia Mears

Andrew Yamato

David Coggins and Sean Crowley

Robert Bryan and Cator Sparks

Iké Udé

Shannon Hill and Anthony Kirby

Natty Adams and Bruce Boyer

Michelle Coursey and Matthew Karl Gale

Gretchen Fenston (she made that hat!)

Laura Kimsey

I am Dandy Exhibit Opening Photos

At the I am Dandy exhibit opening, National Arts Club, Nov 18, NYC

For ONE WEEK ONLY (Nov 18-22) 15 prints and excerpts from the book I am Dandy are on display at the National Arts Club Marquis Gallery at 15 Gramercy Park South.  Prints are for sale for the duration of the show in two sizes - 20x30in and 12x18in - both framed and unframed.   Please stop by while you have the chance!

Meanwhile, please enjoy these great shots by Jane Kratochvil of our opening celebration on Nov 18 (more here).  Very special thanks to David Zyla & the National Arts Club Fashion Committee, our drinks sponsors Barrow's Intense Ginger Liqueur (so good!) & Hendrick's Gin, Matt & Enrique of Fine & Dandy for being THE bookseller for the evening, and Mr. B the Gentleman Rhymer for gracing us with his first show in NYC! 

Mr. B the Gentleman Rhymer playing for the I am Dandy crowd on his inaugural visit to NYC from London.  Martin Pengelly of the Guardian US wrote about the momentous occasion.  He is also playing the Way Station (Nov 21) and The Slipper Room (Nov 27).

Great to see G. Bruce Boyer and Simon Doonan, both book subjects, some by to celebrate.

Wonderful artist Robert W. Richards showing off his true colors, courtesy Paul Smith.

Raymond Chu and Domenico Spano

David Zyla

Natty and I were honored to have Dr. Andre Churchwell from Nashville join us.

Martin Pengelly of the Guardian US and Mr. B

Enrique Crame lll, Dandy Wellington, and Matt Fox

Matthew Karl Gale, Keith Tritto, David DeLucia, Andrew Yamato

Mister Burton, Daphne Malfitano, Laura Kimsey, Pandora

Daphne in THAT dress.

Artist/Rebel/Dandy at RISD - Last Chance!

Patrick McDonald at the opening of Artist/Rebel/Dandy, April 2013

The wonderful Artist/Rebel/Dandy exhibit at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum is up only till Aug 18, so I implore you:  GO!

It is a very special exhibit years in the making, the likes of which we won't see again any time soon.  Anyways, make a little road trip to Providence - it's a great town!  Have some clam cakes and a Narragansett beer, then go enjoy the amazing array of suits and artifacts collected to celebrate the history, style, and character of dandies past and present.  You will see three prints there by me!

Enjoy these photos of the opening weekend festivities!  There are a lot more here.

Waris and Natty in front of their ensembles at the exhibit opening.  Suits by Against Nature, naturally.

Tom Wolfe makes a cameo

I looked longing for most of the time at Fred Astaire's white tie and tails.

The gala dinner took place at the historic Providence Public Library

Natty finally got to meet Dr. Andre Churchwell

Favorite photo of the night:  Churchwell's oyster colored dinner jacket. Wow.

Ignacio Quiles and Iké Udé chat after the gala dinner.  

After the tweed ride, out front of the RISD Museum

My portrait of Doran graces the entrance to the main exhibit hall.

Guy Hills and Dashing Tweeds were prominently displayed in this section devoted to tailoring and craftsmanship.  Notice my portrait of Hugo Jacomet on the far right (and below).

And to find out more about the Artist/Rebel/Dandy exhibit check out this great video Andrew Yamato made for A Suitable Wardrobe.