Dandy Wellington, spats and all

Dandy Wellington at home in Harlem, Feb 2010

I appreciate that Wellington enjoys using the word "dandy".  He cultivates a persona - not a costume, but a character.   Walking thru his neighborhood he got a lot of attention (more than the white folks with the camera following him!), and this older fella walked passed and said, "I'm glad they're still doing it".  I understood, but it's hard to put in words.  Back in the day pretty much everyone was expected to dress more formally, but now it is a choice - and can be a bold decision.

Dandy Wellington near his home, Harlem, Feb 2010

Swagger Behind the Camera

Guerre with his camera in Harlem, Nov 2010

This is when I met Guerre.  He was photoing all the dappper guys out front of the Dandy Lion: Behold a Gentleman exhibit for his blog Swagger360.  He had the coolest camera bag I have ever seen, which will remain a secret (sorry!).

Guerre just had an exhibit and video made about his street style photos of elegant men.  He comes across a lot of amazingly stylish folks, and his photos seem effortless, but I know better - photographing people on the street is not as easy as it looks!  But I can see why he nabs the best of 'em - he is a "gentleman of nonchalant elegance" himself.

"Oh What a Lovely Precious Dream"

Michael Andrews looking dapper in front of an abandoned church, Harlem, Nov 6, 2010

The blog title is from the song "To Be Young, Gifted, and Black" written by Nina Simone.  I was reminded of it because of the video Michael Andrews participated in called Black Ivy by the Street Etiquette fellas.  Definitely click thru and take a look.  It captures the zeitgeist perfectly.

I met Michael thru Matt of Fine & Dandy Shop when we collaborated on a style profile of him.  It coincided with the Dandy Lion...Behold a Gentleman exhibit opening that day in Harlem.  Lotsa activity and meeting new creative, stylish, kind people.  So beforehand we all ran around the neighborhood making portraits.  Afterwards we all walked and talked and had brunch.  I wish we had been able to do this before our photos, because after I got a much better sense of his spirit - a writer with big dreams and an instantly endearing sense of adventure.  Michael wants to travel the world and explore and find stories.  He is young, but knows the importance of character.  

Behind the Scene

Matt, Josh Woods, Michael Andrew, Guerre, & Kelly gather out front of the Dandy Lion exhibit, Harlem, Nov 2010

I watched as all the boys took turns photographing each other for their blogs.  It was very cute and kind of silly.  But hey, gotta show appreciation when people take the time to wear something much more exciting than t-shirts and sweatpants.  Guerre had the coolest camera bag!  Can't wait till he starts selling them cause I'm jealous.