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The Rebirth of The Black Dandy

Smart

Their suits are sharp, their looks deliciously colorful, but the black dandy's sartorial sense has also been shaped by the cross-currents of racial history and prejudice.

William Boot

Published May 10 2015 12:01AM EDT

galleries/2015/05/10/the-making-of-the-black-dandy/150507-black-dandy-tease_rl27mj — Sara Shamsavari

galleries/2015/05/10/the-making-of-the-black-dandy/150507-black-dandy-01_wfownj — 'Calligraphist,' street style portraiture by British-Iranian photographer Sara Shamsavari, depicts colorful patterns, textures and vibrant ensembles worn by dandies, London, 2014.

Sara Shamsavari

galleries/2015/05/10/the-making-of-the-black-dandy/150508-black-dandy-1_lncphr — Ignacio Quiles at his store QP and Monty, by American photographer Rose Callahan for 'I Am Dandy: The Return of the Elegant Gentleman,' New York, 2012.
Rose Callahan

galleries/2015/05/10/the-making-of-the-black-dandy/150507-black-dandy-02_nacdqy — Writer Jason Reynolds in 'The Waiting Man I,' by American photographer Kia Chenelle, 2013.
Kia Chenelle

galleries/2015/05/10/the-making-of-the-black-dandy/150507-black-dandy-03_jynkhz — 'Dixy,' by Italian photographer Daniele Tamangi, London, 2009.
Daniele Tamagni

galleries/2015/05/10/the-making-of-the-black-dandy/150507-black-dandy-04_yu4h2y — Barima Owusu-Nyantekyi, photographed at the King’s Head Club by American photographer Rose Calkahan for 'I Am Dandy: The Return of the Elegant Gentleman,' London, 2013.
Rose Callahan

galleries/2015/05/10/the-making-of-the-black-dandy/150507-black-dandy-05_u12oyf — Iké Udé, photographed in his studio by American photographer Rose Callahan for 'I Am Dandy: The Return of the Elegant Gentleman,' New York, 2013.
Rose Callahan

galleries/2015/05/10/the-making-of-the-black-dandy/150507-black-dandy-06_klcv71 — Sapeurs posing in front of Memorial Savorgnan de Brazz, photographed by Daniele Tamagni for 'Gentlemen of Bocango,' his published documentation of the Congolese Sapeur movement La SAPE (the Society of Ambiance-Makers and Elegant People), Brazzaville, 2008.
Daniele Tamagni

galleries/2015/05/10/the-making-of-the-black-dandy/150507-black-dandy-07_r4lprv — Bafana Mthembu and Andile Biyana of the sartorial collective Khumbula in 'Give thanks to thoughtful hands' by South African photographer Harness Hamese, Johannesburg, 2013.

Harness Hamese

galleries/2015/05/10/the-making-of-the-black-dandy/150507-black-dandy-08_ewcrss — Namibian designer Lourens 'Loux the Vintage Guru' Gebhardt, in 'Fixed Eyes II' by Harness Hamese, Johannesburg, 2014.
Harness Hamese

galleries/2015/05/10/the-making-of-the-black-dandy/150507-black-dandy-09_iffbif — Emmanuel Harrold photographed by Jati Lindsay, 2014.
Jati Lindsay

galleries/2015/05/10/the-making-of-the-black-dandy/150507-black-dandy-10_y9pqkr — Randolph Matthews in street style portraiture by Sara Shamsavari, London, 2013.
Sara Shamsavari

galleries/2015/05/10/the-making-of-the-black-dandy/150507-black-dandy-11_obc9zu — Dandy Wellington photographed by Rose Callahan, New York, 2010.
Rose Callahan

William Boot

William Boot

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