Britain’s 50 Best Dressed Men

Conservation Centre

11 December 2004 - 20 February 2005

Who are Britain’s best-dressed men?
Which look best defines the essence of British style?

Britain’s 50 Best Dressed Men showcases the nation's most fabulous fellows, from quintessential English gentlemen to sexy Scots.

Carefully selected from Getty Images Gallery’s comprehensive photographic collections and GQ magazine’s editorial archive, the exhibition pays homage to the man that’s dressed to impress. The result is a fascinating assortment - an eclectic mix of the male personalities defining the moods and attitudes of men’s fashion through the eras.

Compare the classic cool of 007 to cheeky pop icon Robbie Williams. Consider the sultry screen presence of Brit actor Jude Law next to original cockney rebel, Michael Caine. Contrast the Irish twinkle of 60s playboy George Best with the moody glare of Mancunian mop-top Liam Gallagher.

Do you favour the caddish, lounge-lizard style of Oliver Reed and Terry Thomas or the bespectacled sophistication of Peter Sellers and Jarvis Cocker? Either way, this exhibition will challenge your perception of what makes the British man ‘cool’.

The photos, wittily captioned by the writers at GQ, cover all aspects of male fashion from smartly-tailored cuts to the downright flamboyant.

Picked for their individual sense of style and carriage, the chosen few display the timeless quirks that make them ever popular with the public. Where else can you find Johnny Rotten next to Winston Churchill, Adam Ant next to David Niven, and Ewan McGregor alongside Alec Guinness?

So whether you are a dedicated follower of fashion, aspiring gent, "Cool Britannia" convert, or you simply admire stylish men and quality photography, this exhibition is sure to include something (or someone) you can look up to.

Acknowledgements

Britain's 50 Best Dressed Men exhibition has been organised by Getty Images Gallery in association with GQ magazine.

Britain’s 50 Best Dressed Men originally appeared in May 2004 edition of GQ magazine, published by Conde Nast. GQ Magazine website [opens new window]

Getty Images Gallery is the world’s leading imagery company, creating and providing the largest and most relevant collection of still and moving images to communication professionals around the world. Getty Images Gallery website [opens new window]

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