Diego was born in the Bronx, raised in the Bronx, and devotes much of his time to supporting causes and businesses in the Bronx.
His devotion to menswear began in the world of early childhood education where, as a preschool teacher, he dressed well every day so that his students would feel comfortable in the uniforms they were required to wear. His interest in menswear was further piqued by the positive impact his fashion had on his students, so he dove into Tumblr, Instagram, and various blogs to learn more about menswear past and present. Soon he’d be inspired to influence the future of menswear as well.
Diego in 2010
Delving into the world of men’s fashion started simply enough: by slowly documenting his new style and getting feedback from others. It wasn’t long before he’d move from dressing this way in his professional life to his social life as well, which included local electronic music shows. His fashionable reputation grew in those communities, especially when his new friends noticed he could mosh even while wearing a tailored suit.
Dressing well at social events led to further inspiration: Diego soon met Nathaniel Adams, an electronic musician who identified as a dandy . Several conversations and hours of independent research later, Dandy In The Bronx was born.
Instagram proved to be an effective showcase for this new identity. As Diego shared more of his style, he found like-minded people and businesses and decided to pursue this passion full-time.
Dandy In The Bronx attaches his work to brands and causes that he believes in, and he encourages others to support those brands. He displays projects and pieces that are worth an investment: clothing that strikes the perfect balance of price and class. Quality may come with cost, but one should always consider value. This balanced approach makes Dandy In The Bronx accessible to a wide clientele, bringing high end material to the struggling communities he’s always worked with.
A storyteller at heart, Diego is interested in the narratives behind brands and causes: where their work came from, why they do it, who they serve, and how long they’ve been following their passion. With an emphasis on mission and a connection to historically underserved groups, Dandy In The Bronx is proud to have collaborated with groups as diverse as the US Open, Boys & Girls Club of America, New York Philharmonic, All Elite Wrestling, Empire State Building, DC Comics , Microsoft and more. Indeed, Dandy In The Bronx works with the major to the independent, with work as much as play, and from local to global and back, connecting each pair with a focus on quality.
At its core Dandy In The Bronx is about bringing the best of the world to the Bronx and bringing the best of the Bronx to the world. It is a project of substance as much as it is of style.
WHY THE 6?
The primary hub for Dandy in the Bronx is the Hunts Point Avenue station on the 6 train line. This subway station serves as Diego’s gateway to the world, and the world’s gateway back to The Bronx. As a Bronxite, Diego is accustomed to travelling long distances to make important connections: the 6 train has become an invaluable tool, even a friend, in this process.
WHY THE BRONX?
Growing up in a rough environment, reaching Manhattan and beyond was the goal. Everyone around stated that you simply don’t stay in the Bronx. You go to school, go to college, get a great job, then move to Manhattan or elsewhere.
Then Brooklyn happened. Upon returning home from college, Diego laughed when invited to a party in Brooklyn. Brooklyn?! That’s where people get robbed! That’s where you get jumped for looking at someone the wrong way!
What Diego didn’t realize is that when Brooklyn happened, gentrification is what happened.
The Bronx is at a bit of a crossroads right now. Diego is worried that something similar to Brooklyn is what might happen to his hometown: that local communities would be taken over, silenced, and driven away as opposed to celebrated. Gentrification may be inevitable, but it doesn’t have to lose what’s special about the area the way it often does elsewhere.
Dandy in the Bronx aims to put the power to positively change the Bronx in the hands of those who live and are from there. The borough’s creative scene has a rich history, from inventing hip-hop to promoting the evolution of salsa and merengue throughout our streets. It’s time to bring these stories to the world.
Dandy In The Bronx has been featured in…
Dandy in The Bronx creates art and brings it back to the Bronx, and hopes to show others that they can do the same. You don’t have to leave. You can explore, learn, create, and bring it all back home.
Want to chat with Dandy? Feel free to reach out with any questions or opportunities regarding social media campaigns, consulting, interviews, speaking, etc! Contact me!
Thanks for reading and y’all stay dandy.
-Diego
Follow me on Instagram and Pinterest for more menswear inspiration.
(Some of these links contain affiliate links, so that means if you click and buy something, I get a cut. It helps keep the site going! Full Disclosure)