Dandy Journalist

Nathaniel "Natty" Adams at The Smith, NYC on Feb 15, 2010

I had lunch today with Nathaniel Adams, who is a journalist working on a book about dandyism.  I was very relieved to hear that his project is not a photographic book!  That would just be too cruel.  So we are compliments.  We compared notes and have met up with a lot of the same folks in our two parallel universes, although no one ever mentioned him (!) and vise versa.  Well now the parallels have met!  He recently received a grant to travel and research his subject - going to such places as London, Paris, and Africa.  I wish you the best of luck, Natty!  

"Notes by Natty"

Fine & Dandy on Doyers Street

Actor Raymond Chu in Chinatown,  NYC, April 2010

Tidbit from the archive...Matt from Fine & Dandy and I went down to meet Ray for a style profile.  I loved his tiny-miny bow tie, and keen sense of drama.  He talked about having vintage clothes re-engineered in a secret location, and being inspired by scruffy James Dean.  It's hard to believe with his clean, understated suit.  But sometimes I am inspired by, say, Ingrid Bergman's Italian sandals or Sophia Loren 1955, and no one could hardly guess.

Drinks afterwards to warm our toes...

At the Campbell Apartment

Christian Chensvold at the Campbell Apartment, NYC, Jan 2011

Mr. Chensvold was one of the founders (along with Michael Mattis and Nick Willard) of dandyism.net, which for about five years, beginning in 2004, created articles and aggregated info about past and present dandies.   In 2008 he founded Ivy Style, a blog dedicated to a nostalgic view of collegiate fashion and lifestyle.

Although it is hard to define what is a dandy, Chensvold would probably agree he has always been very much on the "trad" end of it.  Because of his work with dandyism.net I think he is an important part of the story of dandyism as it has been expressed over the last decade.

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.  

A Flower is a Flower

Doran at home in San Francisco, May 2009

If you are intimidated, I understand.  He ain't playing.  However, the carnation makes me smile.  It's the under appreciated, scrappy flower.  Give it a chance why don't you?

Mad Plaid

More shots of Jose Lemus in the Sportsmen's Lodge in LA.  Again - the details!  And yes, that is  a green clutch bag he is sporting.  I could really see how much time and consideration goes into assembling his outfits.  Jose obviously takes great joy in this, and I am glad to show my appreciation thru my portraits.  I think stylish men need more appreciation!

These days with all the style bloggers out and about (at least in the big cities), I think stylish folks are getting more attention, and perhaps this attention is making all people dress just a little bit better - ?  I can only hope, and hope dies last ;)