Image Courtesy of FormUsWithLove
How would a modern dandy look like? What would include the wardrobe of someone who while taking infinite pains about his appearance, affects indifference to it, according to the traditional dandy values? Is stoicism and spirituality, always associated to dandies, the only decent way to survive economic crisis? Charles Baudelaire once defined the dandy as the one who elevates esthetics to a living religion. Inspired by the related iconography, Stockholm Nordic Museum explores the dandy figure in the Dandy exhibition that will be on display until May 1, 2011. Tailor Frederik Andersen, fashion researcher Rickard Lindqvist, journalist Olaf Enckell, stylist Lalle Johnson, author Björn Af Kleen, designer Göran Sundberg and shop owner Christian Quaglia were asked to contribute their particular view on the subject and the result is more than rewarding.
Image Courtesy of FormUsWithLove
How would a modern dandy look like? What would include the wardrobe of someone who while taking infinite pains about his appearance, affects indifference to it, according to the traditional dandy values? Is stoicism and spirituality, always associated to dandies, the only decent way to survive economic crisis? Charles Baudelaire once defined the dandy as the one who elevates esthetics to a living religion. Inspired by the related iconography, Stockholm Nordic Museum explores the dandy figure in the Dandy exhibition that will be on display until May 1, 2011. Tailor Frederik Andersen, fashion researcher Rickard Lindqvist, journalist Olaf Enckell, stylist Lalle Johnson, author Björn Af Kleen, designer Göran Sundberg and shop owner Christian Quaglia were asked to contribute their particular view on the subject and the result is more than rewarding.
Image Courtesy of FormUsWithLove
“I have always seen dandyism as a kind of game with class symbols and class codes. In the early days it was mainly middle-class men transforming themselves into aristocrats, whereas today the dandy palette is more inclusive, even class-wise. The dandy can just as readily borrow from the miner or train driver” says Björn Af Kleem in an attempt to reflect the eclectic character of the modern dandy. It is true that in a world that mix and match is the only true fashion innovation of the last decade the dandy attitude can’t remain rigid. But is being a dandy just a question of style?
Image Courtesy of FormUsWithLove
Göran Sundberg has the answer: “It’s a shame that we often see being a dandy as solely about style. I think it’s more an attitude, an independent comment on the prevalent perception of what is stylish”.
Christian Quaglia takes it a bit further, thinking of the dandy as a true revolutionist: “The dandy sees himself and his clothes like a palette. And just like an artist, the dandy has no limitations about what’s right or wrong, what’s masculine or feminine. He has something of the f*** you mentality”.
Image Courtesy of FormUsWithLove
Image Courtesy of FormUsWithLove
The result of this open dialogue between fashion enthusiasts is not just a simple demonstration of beautifully crafted clothes; it is an honest attempt to come closer to the dandy philosophy, as defined through esthetics. The whole exhibition at the Stockholm Nordic Museun looks even cooler because of the excellent contribution of “Form us with love” that created some wonderful minimalist displays for the clothes. We invite you to take a visit at the Nordic Museum website and take a closer look to the various interpretations of the modern dandy and, why not, even vote for your favorite style. To finish, we leave you with Lelle Johnson’s observation: “Being a dandy is about daring. Always daring”.
Image Courtesy of FormUsWithLove
Image Courtesy of FormUsWithLove
''Dandy'' exhibition, on display until May 1, 2011
Image Courtesy of FormUsWithLove
