“Camp is the modern Dandyism.” Susan Sontag, Notes on Camp (1964)

If you google the definition of a Dandy, you will find that it is defined as “a man unduly concerned with looking stylish and fashionable.” The Dandy is a character in history that was seen as high mannered and sophisticated, while simultaneously rebelling against societal norms. Essentially, a Dandy is a fashionable rebel.

I became interested in Camp after the 2019 Met Gala. The theme was Camp: Notes on Fashion. I found that the theme was inspired by Susan Sontag’s 1964 essay, “Notes on Camp.” Sontag declares, “the whole point of Camp is to dethrone the serious. Camp is playful, anti-serious.” Sontag defines Camp as modern day Dandyism.

I decided to title this shoot “The Dandizette.” Dandizette is a word historically used to describe a female Dandy. The message behind this shoot is to embrace individuality. We should embrace the mindset of the Dandy and the lovers of Camp. We should seek to stand out from what is considered “the norm,” and we should welcome fun, extravagance, and unseriousness into our everyday lives.

The Dandizette (2023)

Styling, photography, and creative direction by Kaya Ugorji. Modeled by Iniobong Roberts.