"Hood Dandy" (fashion ensemble)

Designer Statement:
"Hood Dandy" is a collection that researches the complicated aesthetics and politics at work in the depictions of African-American men in the post-Civil Rights era. The collection examines and merges the attitude of the carefree 1970s and the stereotypical tropes of the late 1980s, early 1990s emerging hip-hop scene. The play on pattern and color through knitwear pays homage to the eclectic 1970s while the over-sized silhouette and headpieces (durag) symbolize key elements of hip-hop fashion. By combining these two qualities, "Hood Dandy" aims to provide new imagery inspired by the black male identity, one who possess qualities beyond the stereotypes posed on him. This ensemble, as the entire collection, is also aimed to shrink gender boundaries in dress.