The Politics of Fashion and Pleasure in Black Identity

For over 200 years, the Dandy has been a provocateur, someone who pushes against the boundaries of culture, masculinity and politics. From Beau Brummell to Oscar Wilde to contemporary Black activists, IDEAS contributor Pedro Mendes tracks the subversive role the Dandy plays in challenging the status quo. *This episode originally aired on April 15, 2021.

Guests in this episode:

Rose Callahan, photographer and director  

André Churchwell, vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer for Vanderbilt University 

Chris Breward, director of National Museums Scotland and the author of The Suit: Form, Function and Style 

Ian Kelly, writer, actor and historical biographer. His works include Beau Brummell: The Ultimate Dandy 

Monica Miller, professor of English and Africana Studies at Barnard College, Columbia University and author of Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity