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Fashioning Masculinities: Overdressed

published on 8 April 2022

Flamboyance was once used as a marker of white privilege and status in the European courts, as illustrated by portrait paintings. Fast-forward to the 21st century, where such an appearance can now be considered as camp, and as a mark of defiance against traditional heterosexual maleness. In this video inside the second gallery 'Overdressed' at Fashioning Masculinities: The Art of Menswear at the V&A, the costume depicted in Joshua Reynolds's oil painting Portrait of Charles Coote, (1773-74) is seen alongside Billy Porter's custom haute couture ensemble designed by Randi Rahm for the 2019 Golden Globes.

Fashioning Masculinities: The Art of Menswear runs from 19 March - 6 November, 2022.

Flamboyance was once used as a marker of white privilege and status in the European courts, as illustrated by portrait paintings. Fast-forward to the 21st century, where such an appearance can now be considered as camp, and as a mark of defiance against traditional heterosexual maleness. In this video inside the second gallery 'Overdressed' at Fashioning Masculinities: The Art of Menswear at the V&A, the costume depicted in Joshua Reynolds's oil painting Portrait of Charles Coote, (1773-74) is seen alongside Billy Porter's custom haute couture ensemble designed by Randi Rahm for the 2019 Golden Globes.

Analysis:
Claire Wilcox, Rosalind McKever
Fashion:
Randi Rahm
Film Camera:
Title Design:
Features Edit:

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