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The Rebirth of The Black Dandy

<p>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.</p>

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Sara Shamsavari

By William Boot
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'Calligraphist,' street style portraiture by British-Iranian photographer Sara Shamsavari, depicts colorful patterns, textures and vibrant ensembles worn by dandies, London, 2014.


Sara Shamsavari

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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

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Writer Jason Reynolds in 'The Waiting Man I,' by American photographer Kia Chenelle, 2013.

Kia Chenelle

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'Dixy,' by Italian photographer Daniele Tamangi, London, 2009.

Daniele Tamagni

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Namibian designer Lourens 'Loux the Vintage Guru' Gebhardt, in 'Fixed Eyes II' by Harness Hamese, Johannesburg, 2014.

Harness Hamese

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Emmanuel Harrold photographed by Jati Lindsay, 2014.

Jati Lindsay

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Randolph Matthews in street style portraiture by Sara Shamsavari, London, 2013.

Sara Shamsavari

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Dandy Wellington photographed by Rose Callahan, New York, 2010.

Rose Callahan

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