Dandy Lion: The Black Dandy and Street Style

by Shantrelle P. Lewis

Suits that pop with loud colors and dazzling patterns, complete with a nearly ubiquitous bowtie, define the style of the new “dandy.” Described as “high-styled rebels” by author Shantrelle P. Lewis, black men with a penchant for color and refined fashion, both new and vintage, have gained popular attention in recent years, influencing mainstream fashion. But black dandyism itself is not new; originating in Enlightenment England’s slave culture, it has continued for generations in black cultures around the world. Now, set against the backdrop of hip-hop culture, this iteration of dandies is redefining what it means to be black, masculine, and fashionable. Dandy Lion presents and celebrates individual dandy personalities, designers and tailors, movements and events that define contemporary dandyism. Throughout the book, self-expression is communicated through personal style, clothing, shoes, hats, and swagger. Lewis’s carefully curated selection of contemporary photographs surveys the movement across the globe in spectacular form, with all of the vibrant patterns, electrifying colors, and fanciful poses of this brilliant style subculture.

Genres: Fashion, Nonfiction, Art, Design, African American

144 pages, Hardcover

Published May 30, 2017

Reviews

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out the feature, "Let's Talk About Dandies! A Look at Shantrelle P. Lewis Dandy Lion: The Black Dandy and Street Style" on my blog folklore & literacy. Here's the link: http://folkloreandliteracy.com/2017/1...

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of beautiful people wearing incredibly beautiful suits. I love this book and it's ability to show the inner beauty and exterior eccentricity of the dandy that make up this collection. These men and women remind me why I love wearing suits, and they inspire to experiment with the colors and patterns I wear.

[Briana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting cultural study on Black Dandyism and street style. I liked the focus on the UK and Africa in this book because so much of the modern Dandy movement comes from Africa. Unfortunately, some of this information and the photography are slightly dated which can be distracting but I still learned a bit from this.

[Siobhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a whole world of fabulous people out there. I saw this advertised a year ago and really just wanted to look at the pretty pictures, but there is an amazing global and historical reach to black dandyism, which Lewis describes with great affection. And the photographs really are gorgeous.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pretty beautiful and impressive collection of some very amazingly chic and wild fashion icons. It's a pleasure to look at and the accompanying text is thoughtful and contextualizes fashion and the black experience in America and abroad.

[Teo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty well-rounded and informative, especially regarding the geographical movements within dandyism. My only issue is I wish there were more photos. Some people/sections only had one, and that seems rather silly for a book on an eccentric style.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yowza I want to study every page. I love the breadth of who is included, and the texts, which give you just enough attitude and context.

[Mills College Library]

391.1 L6762 2017

[Pinky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting people, dapper and colorful clothes worn both for a purpose and with purpose.

[ashes ➷]

they'd better not let me get my hands on this book i s2g i'll eat it

[Alexandria McMahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures, nice overview

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

- (Yum)

[daniel dillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so much more than a photo exhibition; it is a history of sartorial resistance, an archive of empowerment, and a love letter to the queer beauty of the dandy.