We often associate the concept of the dandy – a man excessively fixated on fashion and appearance – with upper class gentlemen like Oscar Wilde, or Beau Brummell. But what of the working-class and everyday dandies?
Peter will explore how fundamental aspects of modern culture such as fashion, style, and conduct have been shaped from below just as much as from above. The story of the Dandy shows how the problematic business of young men trying to find an identity is an enduring phenomenon.
The Dandy: A People’s History of Sartorial Splendour written by Peter K Andersson and published by Oxford University Press will be available to purchase in the Museum Shop on the night.
BOOK NOWAbout the speaker
Peter K. Andersson is a historian and writer, with a PhD in History from Lund University in Sweden. He has been a visiting scholar at the universities of London, Oxford, and Bologna, and has written extensively on Victorian cultural history, urban history, and popular culture. His previous books include Streetlife in Late-Victorian London (2013) and Fool: In Search of Henry VIII’s Closest Man (2023), and he has contributed to periodicals such as The TLS, History Today, and Journal of Victorian Culture.
infoInfo
Confirmation email: Once you have made a booking, you will receive a confirmation email detailing all the information you will need prior to your event, this is your event ticket. You will also receive a reminder email one week prior to your event.
Event details: Please check your confirmation email for the start and finish times of your event. Upon entry, please present your ticket(s) on your device or a note of your booking reference number. Exhibition entry is included in your ticket, you are welcome to view the exhibition before or after the event.
Eating and drinking: No food or drink is permitted in the Museum, other than bottled water. The Fashion and Textile Museum is located in the heart of Bermondsey Street, surrounded by award-winning restaurants, cafes and pubs. So, if you would like to enjoy a meal or a drink before or after your visit, there is plenty to choose from.For more information, check out our plan your visit page or our FAQs.