Dictionaries generally define "dandyism" as a man's undue attention to his appearance, and it definitely has taken on a pejorative aspect so it's nice to see a museum exhibit that celebrates dandyism. The Dior family home in Granville, France is now a museum and their exhibit on dandyism will run from now until September 21. The exhibit includes such pieces as a white shirt belonging to perhaps the most famous dandy, Oscar Wilde, dating from when he was living in penniless exile in a seedy Paris hotel after his disgrace, under an assumed name which was a cryptic allusion to his homosexuality. The exhibit covers two centuries of dandies and celebrates the birth of Jules Barbey D'Aurevilly whose Du Dandysme et de George Brummell written in 1845 is considered a treatise on the subject. The exhibit includes a large selection of accessories belonging to dandies through the ages including satin waistcoats, monocles, dressing gowns and a large collection of walking sticks. The exhibit also includes tributes to modern dandies such as John Galliano and David Bowie.For a little more information on the life of a modern dandy check out Dandyism.net.
