Slaves to Fashion is a pioneering cultural history of the black dandy; from his emergence in Enlightenment England to his contemporary incarnations in the cosmopolitan art worlds of London and New York. It is populated by sartorial impresarios such as Julius Soubise; a freed slave who sometimes wore diamond-buckled; red-heeled shoes as he circulated through the social scene of eighteenth-century London; and Yinka Shonibare; a prominent Afro-British artist who not only styles himself as a fop but also creates ironic commentaries on black dandyism in his work. Interpreting performances and representations of black dandyism in particular cultural settings and literary and visual texts; Monica L. Miller emphasizes the importance of sartorial style to black identity formation in the Atlantic diaspora.Dandyism was initially imposed on black men in eighteenth-century England; as the Atlantic slave trade and an emerging culture of conspicuous consumption generated a vogue in dandified black servants. ldquo;Luxury slavesrdquo; tweaked and reworked their uniforms; and were soon known for their sartorial novelty and sometimes flamboyant personalities. Tracing the history of the black dandy forward to contemporary celebrity incarnations such as Andre 3000 and Sean Combs; Miller explains how black people became arbiters of style and how they have historically used the dandyrsquo;s signature toolsmdash;clothing; gesture; and witmdash;to break down limiting identity markers and propose new ways of fashioning political and social possibility in the black Atlantic world. With an aplomb worthy of her iconographic subject; she considers the black dandy in relation to nineteenth-century American literature and drama; W. E. B. Du Boisrsquo;s reflections on black masculinity and cultural nationalism; the modernist aesthetics of the Harlem Renaissance; and representations of black cosmopolitanism in contemporary visual art.
#1708566 in eBooks 2003-05-01 2003-05-01File Name: B00332FWZK
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A journalist collectionBy Seth GaleBordowitz does a great job in this reader collecting U2 "clippings" from the beginning of the band through its over 25 years of rising. dominating. declining. but above all. persisting in popular music. The articles really speak for themselves about the excitement of being on the world stage and the adulation and tribulations that come with that. The author does not do much more than really frame each time period of the bands existence in order to put the articles in accordingly. But I think that was his intention: this is not a direct analysis of U2s influence on music or pop-culture. That project is left for the reader to endeavor in. but only if they desire.It is interesting and well worth your time to experience the band in the newspaperist chronology set out before you. We all like to think about U2 at different points in their career and we all have an idea of what "our favorite album" is or when we thought "U2 was making it huge". And so. its pretty neat to see whether or not the mainstream. worldwide news coverage of the band concurs with your own conclusions about different time periods.Its a fun read if you are a U2 fan!20 of 22 people found the following review helpful. Rattle HistoryBy Jim FreemanOf the many U2 books on the market. with more to come. it is refreshing to get a sense of historical perspective of the worlds most popular. if not relevant. band.U2 was not always the most beloved band. especially after its forays into electronica. Even during the early days there were some doubts. hard to believe now. of the bands durability. The book is worth the price alone for reading Jon Pareless early review of U2 from The New York Times. In 1981 he actually wished the band would break up!This book scans the thoughts and musings of a wide variety of authors from the bands earliest days to the present. One of the convenient pluses of the book is that. as a compilation. it can be read in bursts or it can be read just sitting down for an afternoon on the beach. Each article short enough to look up to see if the kids are alright and yet engaging enough to say to your wife. "yes dear."Few books today really put U2 into this proper context of where they stand in the eyes of the critics. It will appeal to the long time fan still able to recall those early days at the clubs and theaters and also to the newer fan wondering what it was like when they were just starting out but still able to be familiar with the band that is today.Overall. a timely and needed effort. especially as U2 writes their new album and takes a pause from the last phase of their career. It is also a fun read. Who said history isnt fun?10 of 12 people found the following review helpful. Multi-FacetedBy G. J WienerHank Bordowitz follows up on The Creedence Clearwater Revivial saga. Bad Moon Rising. with an excellent account on U2(The U2 Reader: A Quarter Century if Commentary. Criticism. and Reviews). What makes this book a winner. is the many perspectives and in depth research that Bordowitz provides. The songs and performances are analyzed from religious. political. and musical perspectives. Its great that Bordowitz gets quotes from musical luminaries like Bruce Springsteen. Sinead OConnor. and Billy Coorgan.Some moments are spent looking into the personal sides of each band member and how their personalities caused the band to evolve over time. The Unforgettable Fire certainly differs greatly from Pop as the band has evolved from a radical new wave band to one that seems to have their influence blend into the world today. Big time fans should pick this book up and even minor fans like myself will find that there is much merit in Bordowitzs fine research.
