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Neo-Victorians
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While modern designers seek to re-invent Victorian fashions, there is a steadily growing community of people in North America and abroad who not only emulate the Dandy or Gentleman's mode of dress - but their lifestyle as well. I've chosen two notable and active people within this community as examples of the extreme influence and appeal which the Victorian period still holds for many in today's modern society.
Lord Whimsy
http://www.lordwhimsy.com/
Author, Gentleman, Affected Provincial
Lord Breaulove Swells Whimsy, formerly known as Allan Crawford, lives in a restored Victorian cottage in New Jersey and has made a commercially successful career as an author and public speaker out of his adoption of a Neo-Victorian lifestyle. Whimsy's dress is modeled after that of a late Victorian dandy, and it is this which is the subject of his book and many of his published essays. Whimsy advocates a refined "overdressing" (Whimsy 19-20), and is quick to lament the modern uniform of jeans and hoodies which adorn most of the male population (16-18). His novel, The Affected Provincial's Companion, is laid out in essay form and can be read as a modern guide to Victorian aesthetics.
Dickon Edwards
http://dickonedwards.co.uk/
Musician, Writer, Dandy
Dickon Edwards, born Richard Edwards, lives in London and is the founding member of the band Fosca, a synth pop group whose lyrics are centered on Victorian or Steampunk themes. Edwards, like Lord Whimsy, has adopted a Victorian manner of dress for both band performances and in his daily life, attracting fans and followers to this aesthetic movement. Aside from being a musician, he has also published several articles for magazines and journals on such topics as handkerchief selection and his abhorrence of running shoes.
Much of this Victorian revivalist movement is centered around aesthetics, with figures such as Whimsy and Edwards at the front line.
Posted by AlisonLabels: dickon edwards, lord whimsy, neo-victorian
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The Blog:
Created by five SFU students for Dr. Stephen Ogden's English 206 class, this blog is, simply put, just for show. We are interested in the idea of "Victorian Cool," or more specifically how Victorian aesthetics are experiencing a resurgence in popularity. The posts in this blog are materialism at its finest; fashion, architecture, jewelry, furniture, and whatever else catches our eye. Why has this brand of Victorianism re-entered mass culture? Read the blog and find out!
The Contributors:
Jill
Melissa
Alison
Jennifer
Sarah
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March 28, 2008
posted at 2:46 PM -
