Dandy Talk - My View

My view from the stage at the Dandy Talk on Oct 5, 2012

Left to right:  Matt Fox, me, David Zyla, Thomas P. Farley, and Nathaniel Adams

A hearty "thank you" to everyone who came out to the Dandy Talk event last Friday a the National Arts Club!  It was an overwhelming turn out, and everywhere I looked I saw smiles of friends, colleagues and curious strangers.  When I think back to when I started The Dandy Portraits, I could not have imagined that I would be at such fulfilling evening - with so many people interested in a subject that has fascinated me for years.

Special thanks to David Zyla for envisioning the evening, my fellow panelists, my very good friend Naomi White for photographing, and of course Dandy Wellington and His Band and Hendrick's Gin for keeping the party going.

Did I mention the super smart crowd?  They asked some great, thought provoking questions - about how things like ethnicity, sexuality, and class come into play with dandyism, what the connection might between vintage enthusiasts and dandies, and if there can be female dandies?



One of the great delights for me was getting big prints made for the first time!  I printed eight images 20x30 inches, and I think they can go even bigger - BIGGER!   I can see the exhibition now, can't you?

We screened the short film on Sean Crowley I made with Kelly for Rarebit Productions, and a trailer for our new short on Dandy Wellington.

Bruce Boyer (center) spinning a good yarn with Shannon Hill (far left) and tailor Len Logsdail and his wife.

Adorable Matt Fox before we went on stage.  

Patrick MacDonald, always a pleasure to see you!  Sorry I took such a bad shot...

I was happy to finally meet the designer Ignacio Quiles.

The men who inspired me to start The Dandy Portraits - Allen Crawford, AKA Lord Whimsy, and my guy, Kelly Desmond Bray


The Doyle Mueser connection:  Natty, Amber Doyle, Mike Davis, Jake Mueser, Dandy Wellington



And why not a little portrait session in a forgotten corner of the beautiful Tilden Mansion?  Keith Tritto and Jamesy were happy to oblige.

Do I look happy or what?!

Dandy Talk: Mise en Place

Thomas, Nathaniel, Matt, Dandy Wellington, and Enrique, NYC, Oct 2012

Last night we readied ourselves for the big Dandy Talk this Friday.  The National Arts Club is expecting a maximum capacity crowd (yipee!).  So we all hobnobbed about our take on dandyism, manners, personal style, and how it all connects.  As per usual Natty had some perfect quotes and historical references at the ready.  

The most serious I've ever seen Matt.  Deep in discussion about Beau Brummell, no doubt.

When we were saying goodbye, the variety of neckwear, color, and patterns struck my eye.

Just Dandy

Dandy Wellington after a show at Bishops and Barons, NYC, Aug 2012

Dandy Wellington and His Band will be performing after my Dandy Talk this Friday, October 5 at the National Arts Club.  What I love about his band is that they create a wonderful atmosphere where ever they play.  It feels classic and joyous and intimate.  I can't wait to see these well dressed men (and sometimes ladies!) perform in the grand National Arts Club!

Dandy Portraits in London - Barima

Barima Owusu-Nyantekyi photographed by Rose Callahan in London, Sept 2011

You have no idea how tough it has been to hold back on posting the rest of my work from Paris and London last year!  I want to have some unpublished work for "the book", now don't I?  But, I'm getting tired of waiting so here goes…My day with Barima in London!

I met up with Barima the last day in London, the last moments in fact, on the recommendation of Winston Chesterfield.   Barima's a tall fellow of Ghanaian heritage with the droll sense of humor and the charm of a true Londoner.  He has a way with words, being a writer and copy editor, and his personal blog, Mode Parade - a "Sartorial and Pop Culture Dissection Column", is were we can find his unique point of view on life and style. 

Barima's style references and inspirations - he is the self described "Don Cornelius-Fred Astaire lovechild" - are as diverse as Bunny Roger, Walt 'Clyde' Frazier, Tommy Nutter, Brian Jones, David Niven, and Sammy Davis Jr., to name a few.  And it somehow all makes sense when you see Barima.   His father "sent him on this thrill ride" of developing his personal style;  he started out by wearing his old pieces, but has since become particularly astute at acquiring items from sources as diverse as the inspirations I listed.  Just take a look at his portraits, and the notes he has provided for each of his pieces.  Man knows his stuff, or rather, he takes joy in all of it.

Double breasted jacket - unknown Italian tailor from the 1980s or '90s; possibly the house of Angelo Roma, which was a favourite of my father's. This one is indeed a hand-me-down and was part of a suit; I discarded the trousers for being unflattering.

Silk shirt - Deborah & Clare.  A splendid bespoke shirtmaker in operation in Knightsbridge, London, during 1965 - 1975, comparable to the likes of Turnbull & Asser (its former owner was a client of both houses), but with the adventurousness of their former creative alum, Mr. Fish.





Necktie - Boggi reversible silk knit.  A present from my dad, the two sides of which I find representative of my conservative and flashy dichotomy.

Tie pin - An Ashanti design representing our tribe's values, passed down from my late grandfather.  (Note: after our shoot Barima sadly thought he lost the pin, but it has since been recovered, thankfully!)

Boutonnière - RoseParadise.co.uk

Bootcut trousers - Prada.  As soon as I purchased the slip-ons (pictured), I knew that I would need the right sort of trousers to go with them. And then these beauties, likely from spring-summer 2008, appeared in a shop I frequent the very same week.




Cuban heeled suede slip-ons - John Lobb Ltd. The cordwainers on St. James kindly dug into their books for me and found that they were part of a large order made for a notable Indian magnate in 1973; I've also seen this man's old Anderson & Sheppard suits in a variety of interesting fabrics for sale and I would own them had his arms not been shorter than mine. Still, because of him, I now own the best shoes I have ever danced in and have contracted a taste for a higher heel, to boot.




Eyeframes - Monarch by Ultra.  It's old Hollywood/Jewish businessman/1970s - '80s politician/Elton John-like glamour that isn't going anywhere fast. At least for me.

You are Invited - Dandy Talk on Oct 5

Please join me for a lively conversation with a few of my favorite like minded friends and colleagues for a talk about how we all have cultivated an interest in dandyism in the modern world.   What a great chance to meet, get dressed up, and sip gin & tonics!

Speakers (besides me!) will be:
Matt Fox of FineAndDandyShop.com
Nathaniel "Natty" Adams - writer and manager at Against Nature
Thomas P. Farley - "Mister Manners"
The talk will be moderated by David Zyla, Emmy Award-winning costume designer, author, and chair of the National Arts Club Fashion Committee

After the talk we can enjoy the vintage jazz of my friend Dandy Wellington and His Band

Cocktails so generously provided by Hendrick's gin

UPDATE:  RSVP is closed for this event by overwhelming response!

RSVP:  fashionspeakfridays@gmail.com

Ivy Style at FIT

Richard Press at the Ivy Style exhibit opening at FIT, Sept 14, 2012

It was a fun night out at the opening of the Ivy Style exhibit at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology.  I got to see some friends and make new ones.  Bruce Boyer introduced me to the legendary Richard Press (Press as in J. Press) and I took him aside to make a few portraits.   How could I not?

G. Bruce Boyer and Richard Press collaborated on the Ivy Style exhibit, along with deputy director of the MFIT, the very talented and beautiful, but not pictured, Patricia Mears.  

Also at the opening was the photographer Bill Cunningham, who seemed like he was having a great time chatting with fashionable friends and not eating the hors d'oeuvres.  I was too nervous to introduce my self!  Kind of silly, I know.

I love this last shot of Richard Press.  Turns out he is an actor too!

A Dandy Talk - Save The Date, Oct 5, 2012

I can't tell you how delighted I was to be asked by David Zyla, Chair of the National Arts Club Fashion Committee, to speak about The Dandy Portraits and dandyism along with a few of my closest colleagues next month.

Please save the date of Friday, October 5, 2012.  The talk will be from 6-8pm and undoubtedly cocktails and hob-nobbing will ensue afterwards.

This is a super special event for me, in such a fantastic location...so I would love to see all of you!