Don't You Look Dandy Darling!
A Beautiful Life of Dressing Dandy
Historically, dandyism was a notable and influential menswear phenomenon. Famous figures like George Bryan 'Beau' Brummell, Jules Barbey d'Aurevilly and Lord George Byron shaped the fashions of Nineteenth Century Europe, projecting elegance and refinement upon their contemporaries. But does this antique tradition still have a place in the digital age? Or are today's dandies merely a vestigial remnant of a bygone era? The answer may well rest in the mysterious mind of one Robin Dutt. His very existence exemplifies that dandyism is a living, breathing phenomenon. What's more, he's collated such a profound knowledge of the subject that he's written the book on it called Dandemonium- The Dandy Defined.
Watch the short clip below to find out why the genteel manière d'être of a dandy life is just as poignant today as it has always been...
On Dutt
There is perhaps no greater authority on the topic of dandyism than Mr Robin Dutt. His life's dedication to this supremely elegant way of being culminated in the 2023 publication of his book: Dandemonium - The Dandy Defined, which explores the intricacies and lasting consistencies of this powerful form of male self-expression. The book took more than sixteen years to create and is truly a labour of love on the part of its author. The limited edition tome is available to purchase in hardback here.
In May of this year, Dandemonium - The Dandy Defined will be available to purchase and read entirely online; Dutt tells me that he is fascinated by this melange of old and new: 'I like the idea of something about the eighteenth-century, with such aestheticism, meeting technology. It just looks so peculiar'. Plus, this year will see the publication of Dutt's new book called 20/20 (the first in a series of four volumes), which will be comprised of twenty original short stories and twenty original poems. What's more, a (currently untitled) book on twelve of Dutt's most interesting interviewees including Andy Warhol, Dame Vivienne Westwood, Sir Edwin Hardy Amies, David Sylvian and Quentin Crisp among others, will be published before the end of the year.
I thank Mr Dutt for generously offering his time.