Here comes a dazzling parade of peacocks! Throughout history, gentlemen of exceptional vision and taste have impressed us with their bold sartorial flair. These legendary “fashion icons” have sparked admiration, emulation, and sometimes even outrage! Join us to learn more about their remarkable lives and explore how personal style, fashion, and cultural history are dynamically interrelated.

We’ll begin in 17th century France with the magnificent King Louis XIV, who revolutionized the fashion world of his day, and end with RuPaul, that statuesque drag queen superstar who has helped reshape our thinking about the modern male. Along the way, we’ll examine numerous other trendsetters, past and present – including Beau Brummell, Oscar Wilde, the Duke of Windsor, Fred Astaire, Gary Cooper, Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, Liberace, James Dean, Elvis Presley, Steve McQueen, Andy Warhol, David Bowie, Andre Leon Talley, and more!

Format: Class members will give presentations on our featured icons. The course will also include a slide show on The Evolution of the Male Model and a screening of the 2001 film Zoolander, a madcap spoof of the fashion world.

Resources/Expenses: The coordinator will assign online reading material and YouTube videos for review before each class session. There are no expenses.