HOOD DANDY is centered around the identity politics surrounding black men in popular culture. Society often perpetuates stereotypical representations of black men. Merging the styles of both the progressive 70s and the 90s hip-hop scene, HOOD DANDY reimagines the black male identity to provide a provocative counter to stereotypical cliches.
HOOD DANDY is inspired by artists, such as Kerry James Marshall, Kehinde Wiley, and Barkley L. Hendricks, who touch on subject matters including black portraiture, black fashion, and black culture. These artists and their use of color, texture/patterns, and subject matter are reflected in the creation of this collection.
Knitted garments were created on a hand-operated, vintage Dubied knitting machine with a variety of yarns including merino wool, cotton, and bamboo. The woven materials used include recycled faux suede, cotton canvas, and cotton twill that were embellished with patterns etched by an industrial laser cutting/etching machine or hand-painted.