At the Jermyn Street entrance to the Piccadilly Arcade you will find Irena Sedlecka’s statue of arbiter of fashion and dandy* Beau Brummell. The beautiful discreet tribute of modest size and on a short plinth reflects his famous quote “To be truly elegant one should not be noticed.”, which is also engraved on the base of the artwork. Suitably, it stands in an area of Mayfair noted for its tailored fashion.
George Bryan Brummell, later known as Beau, was born in London in 1778. Whilst a schoolboy at Eton, he developed an interest in fashion and built friendships with the aristocracy. In 1799, after a career in the 10th Light Dragoons (the regiment of the Prince of Wales, who became a close friend), he moved to Chesterfield Street (Mayfair) with the aspiration of becoming the best dressed gentleman in London. He rejected overly ornate clothes in favour of understated but well-tailored garments. It took just one season for him to become known for his elegant style and earn the name Beau, and the respect and following of many.
His unwavering lavish lifestyle caused him to run up worryingly large debts. In 1816, in eponymous Beau style, he took to the theatre, but then fled straight to France where he remained in exile for the rest of his days. For several years he battled with declining health associated with syphilis which resulted in him being placed in an asylum for the last year of his life. He died in 1840, penniless and largely forgotten by his once-adoring London followers.
*Dandy /ˈdændi/ (plural dandies) (old-fashioned): a man who cares a lot about his clothes and appearance. (source: Oxford English Dictionary)
Blue plaque on the wall of 4 Chesterfield St, Mayfair