I reviewed Rose Callahan's first photographic record of the dandy, I am Dandy: The Return of the Elegant Gentleman, here. In the nearly three years since, the world of the dandy has, as Rose Callahan records, 'spread and mutated' and We Are Dandy: The Elegant Gentleman Around the World, is her record of this.
She and writer, Nathaniel Adams, have found dandies from a much wider range of countries and the sympathetically written text matches the beautifully shot portraits to perfection. My memory may be at fault, but I felt I learned more about each character in this second book and I laughed or cried with them as appropriate.
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| Photography by Rose Callahan, from We are Dandy, Copyright Gestalten 2016 |
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| Photography by Rose Callahan, from We are Dandy, Copyright Gestalten 2016 |
One darker aspect of dandyism that I don't recall from I am Dandy is how some suffer for their obsession. Sadly there are tales of bullying and even physical violence in the book which left me despairing for humanity. That there are people who feel so threatened by men who dress differently that they have to offer insults and pain is hard to understand. Sadly, I suspect that such behaviour will increase as bigotry becomes justifiable to those misled by the recent political upheavals in the UK and US. But, looking at a brighter side, here are men who live style, quality and manners. Most not only dress with care, they collect beautiful objects and live creative and inspirational lives.
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| Photography by Rose Callahan, from We are Dandy, Copyright Gestalten 2016 |
Daring to be different as a dandy takes courage, a refined artistic and historic sense and much hard work. We need to be encouraged by such men, not be afraid of them. If we all become sheep, afraid of difference, we end up scared of everything and comfortable only when we are surrounded by the familiar and unchallenging.
So, this is much, much more than a photographic record of the dandy; it's a book that shows how each of us must preserve that uniqueness that makes us human and stops us sinking into the mindless herd destructiveness of 1930s Germany. This doesn't mean all becoming dandies, it means living our lives true to ourselves as selfless members of society, ever alert to, and celebrating, difference.
Become a dandy yourself or simply trawl through for inspiration in your own search for style. Buy We Are Dandy: The Elegant Gentleman Around the World (published by Gestalten, 2016) from Amazon and help support this blog.
All images in this feature by Rose Callahan, Copyright Gestalten 2016.
So, this is much, much more than a photographic record of the dandy; it's a book that shows how each of us must preserve that uniqueness that makes us human and stops us sinking into the mindless herd destructiveness of 1930s Germany. This doesn't mean all becoming dandies, it means living our lives true to ourselves as selfless members of society, ever alert to, and celebrating, difference.
Become a dandy yourself or simply trawl through for inspiration in your own search for style. Buy We Are Dandy: The Elegant Gentleman Around the World (published by Gestalten, 2016) from Amazon and help support this blog.
All images in this feature by Rose Callahan, Copyright Gestalten 2016.
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| Photography by Rose Callahan, from We are Dandy, Copyright Gestalten 2016 |
David, wonderful words as part of the review. I think anybody who takes enough care in their appearance that it differentiates them from the lowest-common-denominator-norm has received some element of heckling, even if only in friendly jest. So yes, taking that to extreme is readily imaginable.
ReplyDeleteVive la différence!
Grey Fox,
ReplyDeleteYet again another interesting article and some quite humbling words from you - my thanks.
It is good to note that (with the exception of the mirror image picture) all the Dandies pictures have, whilst clearly somewhat eccentric, modeled their styles on traditional dress protocole. All are wearing well fitting tailored trousers, coats (jackets), shirts and ties. None of them see dandyism as raggedy arsed jeans, tee shirts with mindless slogans, massive designer logos, luminous trainers worn without socks and any of the curent oxymorons that are passed off as "smart casual"
Long may elegance that has passed the test of time remain with us.
Regards,
Snapper
Hello,
ReplyDeleteRecent reader of this blog, which I enjoy a lot, I sadly agree with your words about bigotry. This world seems to be going totally crazy... but luckily we can still find nice people like you and your (other) readers!
I wish words like yours did their lot in improving this world.
All the best, gentlemen!
Juan Manuel, Madrid
Well said GF.
ReplyDeleteVive la difference !
Bravo!
ReplyDeleteWell said Sir! Say no to the herd
ReplyDeleteGrey Fox
ReplyDeleteDid my comments not get through or did you disapprove of them ?
Regards,
Snapper
Hi there Grey Fox, ...years ago, in high school, I was bullied by a classmate for wearing white patent leather shoes (that was in the early 1970's). He really tried to demean me, made quite a fuss and called me a gay. FAST FORWARD two weeks, the bully was wearing white shoes. At that moment I come to the conclusion that people who make too much of a fuss, really want to be like the people that they are attacking, and hate the other person for having the courage to do as they like.
ReplyDeleteI so wish that people would get courage, and stop feeling that things are all right, only if the "pack" wears or does something. I find it interesting that people are so enamored by the "stars" when they dress and do as they want, and wish they could be stars like them, but the stars are really letting out their inner person, not following the pack.
In the new movie La La Land, the main male character is told, in one scene, that he was too traditional, and the people he most admired, during their day, were not traditional but really trail blazers. Something to think about.