This film is a documentation of Shantrelle P Lewis' Dandy Lion Project in the form of a unique Portrait Session by contributing artist Sara Shamsavari as part of The African Street Style Festival. The portrait session is a part of is an exploration and celebration of young Black men in city-landscapes across the globe, who defy stereotypical and monolithic understandings of masculinity. Juxtaposed against an urban backdrop where the clothing of choice for many black men consists of a pair of sagging pants, exposed boxers, jerseys and white tees – the “hip hop” generation has produced another phenomenon of style – the New Age dandy. The Dandy Lion Project will exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Photography (MoCP) from April through to July 2015.

Directed by James Maiki and Sara Shamsavari 2014.