The Modern Dandy Collection by AC Miller Comes to Walmart

In a fusion of culture, fashion, and accessibility, Walmart has partnered with celebrity stylists Marquise Miller and Aaron Christmon to debut a capsule collection that honors the legacy and evolution of Black dandyism. Tapping into the sartorial lineage that has long defined Black style as both resistance and refinement, the “Modern Dandy Collection by AC Miller” collaboration reimagines dandy codes for a new generation—through basics;T-shirts, hoodies and ball caps. To bring this vision to life, Walmart worked with Miller and Christmon to translate dandyism into wearable, everyday statements of identity accessible to the masses.

By definition, a dandy is “a man who gives exaggerated attention to personal appearance” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). At its core, however, dandyism represents something rooted in rebellion and the ownership of self-expression. From the Harlem Renaissance to the golden era of luxury merging with hip-hop, Black men and women have embodied this rebellious, expressive spirit. But what does that look like today? Dandyism is as much about refined suiting as it is about swaggy streetwear. In this Walmart capsule, Miller and Christmon embraced that duality, crafting pieces that sit at the intersection of formalwear and sportswear.

For the styling team, whose work is cool and considered—and who are known for their work with artists like Joey Bada$$—the project is a love letter to heritage and a masterclass in translating Black style iconography into wearable language. With Walmart’s deeply American familiarity as a canvas, they leaned into elements that nod to the past, drawing inspo from zoot suits and jazz impresarios while designing for the now. Melding the worlds of streetwear and tailoring, it is archival energy filtered through a 2025 lens.

Modern Dandy handkerchief graphic T-shirt, men’s sizes XS-3XL | $15

Miller and Christmon draw heavily from the 1970s as a visual reference for their styling work, taking inspiration from the textures, hats, vibrant patterns, bold silhouettes, and classic films of the era. This influence led Miller to create his vintage pop-up shop, MILLERSROOM. The ’70s aesthetic is also evident in the duo’s Modern Dandy Collection by AC Miller capsule, featuring vintage-washed effects and puff print detailing throughout. A recent lookbook shoot for the collection brought this modern dandy concept vividly to life.

The campaign unfolded inside a picturesque Harlem brownstone, just steps from the heartbeat of 125th Street. With richly layered interiors and lush floral arrangements, the setting evoked nostalgia of a bygone era, with the clothes themselves representing the present. From top to bottom, this was a Black-led production, featuring Black stylists, models, makeup artists, creative directors, and production assistants. The shoot was lensed by renowned photographer Joshua Kissi, with a surprise appearance by Joey Bada$$, who summed up the one-day shoot best: “To me, dandyism means classical Black excellence.” 

In the opening shot, Joey is centered on the building’s stoop with two models. One wears the collection’s “dandy-definition” hoodie with black skirt and a soft birdcage veil; the other sports its “modern dandy” graphic T-shirt, slacks, and a cream jacket. Joey himself wears the “dandy-definition” hoodie too, with wide-leg dark denim, black boots, and a navy fiddler cap—a study in intention and heritage.

The true beauty of the collection lies in its accessibility and range. It’s genderless and ageless, and invites wearers to explore personal expression through intentional style. Whether pairing a hoodie with high-waisted shorts and ballet flats or layering a tee under a pleated skirt, the collection challenges conventions and welcomes reinterpretation. 

“These are pretty essential pieces. It’s really easy to pair with anything, so you can mix it up and switch it up a little bit,” Joey Bada$$ told Complex. 

Ahead of the shoot, Complex caught up with the stylist duo Marquise Miller and Aaron Christmon to talk about their process designing the Walmart collection, what being a Black dandy means to them, and how someone in 2025 can showcase their inner dandy.

Modern Dandy Definition sweatshirt hoodie, men’s sizes XS-3XL | $26.

What was it like collaborating with Walmart on this dandy capsule? How was it working with them?
Marquise Miller:For me, Walmart is delicious. It reminds me of my childhood and I remember going there to [shop for back-to-school] so, that’s always been my connection. I wouldn’t have a connection with any brand but them first. It takes me back to my roots, and where I grew up, and working with them [Walmart] has been [a] pleasure. They’ve been very efficient and very accommodating. 

What was it like collaborating with Walmart on this dandy capsule? How was it working with them? 
MM: For me, Walmart is delicious. It reminds me of my childhood and I remember going there to [shop for back-to-school] so, that’s always been my connection. I wouldn’t have a connection with any brand but them first. It takes me back to my roots, and where I grew up, and working with them [Walmart] has been [a] pleasure. They’ve been very efficient and very accommodating. 

Where’d you draw inspiration from for the collection?
Aaron Christmon: We wanted to merge worlds, which are dandyism and tailoring and what that means today in a modern society, keeping in mind the Walmart customer; the everyday American. [We wanted to create] something that can resonate, and that anybody can wear, that anyone can feel a part of, and being super inclusive of that. 

It was inspired by history but also we came up with this concept; this whole idea of the modern dandy which is a nod to Black men that carried the torch through this era of dandyism and doing it in a modern way in 2025 and showing up feeling empowered. We wanted something that also pays homage to the people who started this legacy.

Modern Dandy sweatshirt hoodie, men’s sizes XS-3XL | $26

Where’d you draw inspiration from for the collection?
AC: We wanted to merge worlds, which are dandyism and tailoring and what that means today in a modern society, keeping in mind the Walmart customer; the everyday American. [We wanted to create] something that can resonate, and that anybody can wear, that anyone can feel a part of, and being super inclusive of that. It was inspired by history but also we came up with this concept; this whole idea of the modern dandy which is a nod to Black men that carried the torch through this era of dandyism and doing it in a modern way in 2025 and showing up feeling empowered. We wanted something that also pays homage to the people who started this legacy.

Black dandyism is often a mix of elegance, rebellion, and self-expression. What does the term dandy mean to you and how would you define it in today’s culture?
MM: It is an act of being rebellious, being forward, and for me, it’s an attitude. And it’s something that’s always been within us. We use our clothes to tell a story about who we are, what we are, and how we want to show up in the world. I even thought about it this morning when I was getting dressed. I was throwing on a blazer, my sunglasses, my hat—everything was tailored pretty fine and I was like, It’s an attitude. It’s a state of mind.

Black dandyism is often a mix of elegance, rebellion, and self-expression. What does the term dandy mean to you and how would you define it in today’s culture?
MM: It is an act of being rebellious, being forward, and for me, it’s an attitude. And it’s something that’s always been within us. We use our clothes to tell a story about who we are, what we are, and how we want to show up in the world. I even thought about it this morning when I was getting dressed. I was throwing on a blazer, my sunglasses, my hat—everything was tailored pretty fine and I was like, It’s an attitude. It’s a state of mind. 

So can anyone incorporate dandyism into their personal style?
MM: I think that’s the take Aaron and I are moving into you.

AC: That’s also very intentional. It is dressing, it’s style, it’s behavior, but it’s a strong sense of intention behind it and how you want to be perceived. There’s this idea of refinement, but there is this idea of rebellion and how the worlds collide.There’s this idea of refinement, but there is this idea of rebellion and how the worlds collide.

Modern Dandy all-stars graphic t-shirt, men’s sizes XS-3XL | $15

How do you envision people styling this collection into their wardrobes channeling their inner dandy? How would you style some of your celebrity clientele?
MM: Confidentially, one of our clients will be in this campaign [surprise it was Joey Bada$$]. And for me, I definitely am going to rock our “dandyism” hoodie with a loafer, a trouser—a tailored trouser—maybe a blazer, a really cool hat, some glasses, or even one of the T-shirts that we created. I might do that with a high-waist, tailored short with some funky socks, my ballet slippers, and an LA hat. 

How do you envision people styling this collection into their wardrobes channeling their inner dandy? How would you style some of your celebrity clientele?
MM: Confidentially, one of our clients will be in this campaign [surprise it was Joey Bada$$]. And for me, I definitely am going to rock our “dandyism” hoodie with a loafer, a trouser—a tailored trouser—maybe a blazer, a really cool hat, some glasses, or even one of the T-shirts that we created. I might do that with a high-waist, tailored short with some funky socks, my ballet slippers, and an LA hat. 

Modern Dandy gents graphic t-shirt, men’s Sizes XS-3XL | $15

Historically, both men and women have channeled dandy codes, and this collaboration is gender-neutral. How do you interpret this collection being worn/styled by women?

MM: She’s going to have so much fun with this. Pleated skirts with the T-shirts tucked in. They can do oversized trousers. Slip dresses with the T-shirt over it. They can do the stolen boyfriend kind of hoodie, with a belt, a cool bag, maybe [wear it with] a pair of tights and sweatshirt, and a nice black heel. We’re gonna have so many fun ways to style this.

Historically, both men and women have channeled dandy codes, and this collaboration is gender-neutral. How do you interpret this collection being worn/styled by women?

MM: She’s going to have so much fun with this. Pleated skirts with the T-shirts tucked in. They can do oversized trousers. Slip dresses with the T-shirt over it. They can do the stolen boyfriend kind of hoodie, with a belt, a cool bag, maybe [wear it with] a pair of tights and sweatshirt, and a nice black heel. We’re gonna have so many fun ways to style this.

Modern Dandy handkerchief graphic T-shirt, Men’s Sizes XS-3XL | $15

Your collection channels a surrealist approach to tailoring, with the pocket square T-shirt—why was that motif important and incorporated?

AC: It’s reflecting back on these guys that were super refined, and when you think of menswear, you think of a tie clip, you think of a pocket square, you think of a pocket watch. And we wanted to give a little nod to those small details but again in a very cool and modern way.

There have been several iconic Black fashion editors of the past that evoke dandyism. What inspiration did you take from them that you incorporate in your styling today?

MM: I think we took their confidence and the essence of them and we brought that to our shoot.

Modern Dandy graphic T-shirt, men’s Sizes XS-3XL | $15, Modern Dandy Definition sweatshirt hoodie, men’s Sizes XS-3XL | $26, Modern Dandy all- stars graphic T-shirt, Men’s Sizes XS-3XL | $15

What does this collection mean to you? 
AC: I want this for me. I want everybody to feel like they can have a piece of it, whether you’re male or female, nonbinary, 18, 75, white, Black, etcetera. I wanted [it] to feel inclusive and educational and that’s why we talked about the modern dandy. We have one of the hoodies [that] literally references the definition of dandyism and I think the education around it is really, really important when we speak about these things. It’s also paying homage to the guys that created this legacy.

CREDITS

Photographers: Joshua Kissi, Swurve

Models: Joey Badass, Syd Acker, Sean Lyles

Stylists: Marquise Miller, Aaron Christmon

Hair and Makeup: E Williams, Tenelle Veira

Floral Arrangements: Buds Bouquet Boy