Special Event: Jonathan Michael Square with Elizabeth Way | A Stain on an All-American Brand: How Brooks Brothers Once Clothed Slaves

In this occasional series, experts on a topic of current resonance bring their knowledge to a conversational presentation for those who want to go deeper.

In the nineteenth century, Brooks Brothers – which celebrated its bicentennial last year – provided garments for coachmen, footmen, and chauffeurs in wealthy American households, many of them in the antebellum South. Thus, like many northern commercial institutions, the storied clothier benefited from the institution of slavery. This intriguing connection will be the focus of an illustrated talk by Jonathan Michael Square, a writer and historian specializing in fashion and visual culture in the African Diaspora. Following the presentation, Dr. Square will be in conversation with Elizabeth Way, assistant curator at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Jonathan M. Square is a writer and historian specializing in fashion and visual culture of the African Diaspora. He holds a PhD in history from New York University and degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and Cornell University. He is currently a faculty member in the Committee on Degrees in History and Literature at Harvard University. jonathansquare.com











When: Thu., Sep. 19, 2019 at 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Where: The New York Society Library
53 E. 79th St.
212-288-6900
Price: Free
Buy tickets/get more info now
See other events in these categories:

In this occasional series, experts on a topic of current resonance bring their knowledge to a conversational presentation for those who want to go deeper.

In the nineteenth century, Brooks Brothers – which celebrated its bicentennial last year – provided garments for coachmen, footmen, and chauffeurs in wealthy American households, many of them in the antebellum South. Thus, like many northern commercial institutions, the storied clothier benefited from the institution of slavery. This intriguing connection will be the focus of an illustrated talk by Jonathan Michael Square, a writer and historian specializing in fashion and visual culture in the African Diaspora. Following the presentation, Dr. Square will be in conversation with Elizabeth Way, assistant curator at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Jonathan M. Square is a writer and historian specializing in fashion and visual culture of the African Diaspora. He holds a PhD in history from New York University and degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and Cornell University. He is currently a faculty member in the Committee on Degrees in History and Literature at Harvard University. jonathansquare.com

Buy tickets/get more info now