Meet the Black Dandies From Shantrelle P. Lewis' Book Launch

Check out the looks from Shantrelle P. Lewis' 'Dandy Lion: The Black Dandy and Street Style' book launch event at the Brooklyn Museum.

DIASPORA—Last week, Shantrelle P. Lewis, the curator and author of the new book Dandy Lion: The Black Dandy and Street Style, brought out some of the most dapper men in Brooklyn for her book launch at the Brooklyn Museum. There was a critical discussion about the politics of black dandyism, respectability, representation and more.

A plethora of sharply dressed folks came to represent the movement—exemplifying the spirit of dandy style and marrying eclectic designs from the continent and the diaspora to create their own, one-of-a-kind looks.

With her book, Lewis aims to highlight the multiplicity of the black experience. "Blackness is not monolithic, nor is black masculinity," she told OkayAfrica in an interview. "There’s a wealth of diversity within blackness, and at the same time, we need to look at black masculinity on the spectrum where it exists."

We were present for her book launch, and the event was brimming with black men using their sartorial prowess to tell their own nuanced narratives. Check out some pictures from the event, below shot by David McDuffie. 

Photo by David McDuffie

Photo by David McDuffie.

Photo by David McDuffie.

Photo by David McDuffie.

Photo by David McDuffie.

Photo by David McDuffie.

Photo by David McDuffie.

Photo by David McDuffie.

Photo by David McDuffie.

Photo by David McDuffie.

Photo by David McDuffie.

Photo by David McDuffie.

Photo by David McDuffie.

Photo by David McDuffie.

Photo by David McDuffie.

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