Black Dandyism and Siwani Spirits: A Legacy of Elegance and Resilience

It begins with pride. Not the kind that shouts but the kind that stands tall, etched into every thread of a finely tailored suit, passed down as intentionally as a recipe too important to be forgotten. Black dandyism reflects that kind of pride. It’s not just about dressing sharply, though the tailoring is exquisite. It’s about making a statement. A quiet rebellion. Wearing history, heritage, and identity in plain sight.

And through Siwani Spirits, the spirit of Black dandyism flows through every story, every bottle, every sip—alive and unapologetic.

The Art of Black Dandyism

Black dandyism is more than style; it’s the art of defiance with grace. For centuries, it has embodied freedom and self-definition in a society that tried to suppress both. Black dandies took the simple act of dressing and transformed it into poetry of resilience. A well-fitted suit became a declaration of individuality. A hat tipped just right whispered, “I am more than what you expect.”

From the Harlem Renaissance, where jazz and sharp suits reigned supreme, to today’s modern dandies carrying the torch, the message remains timeless. Black dandyism says, “I choose who I am, and I’ll do it boldly.” Heritage, elegance, and an unshakable sense of self weave through this tradition, just as they do through the story of Siwani Spirits.

A Legacy of Craft

Siwani Spirits didn’t emerge from nowhere. Its roots dig deep into both sides of my family, from my great-grandpa, Sidney Swann to my paternal grandpa, Thomas “Clue” Gregory. Both of these men embodied pride, and their spirits (pun intended) come alive in every pour.

Great-grandpa held precision in his hands. A barber by trade, he sculpted lines, edges, and silhouettes with the confidence of a trained artist. But those skills didn’t stay confined to a barbershop. Down in the basement of his home, he became a craftsman of another kind, brewing spirits. It wasn’t about mass production or ego; it was about care, community, and perfecting something worth sharing. For him, it was less about the drink itself and more about the act of crafting something with intention and offering it to those who mattered.

Grandpa Clue, for whom Clü is named.

Clue exuded charisma and swagger, an energy you felt before he even spoke. A builder, a visionary, a man who believed in creating not just for the present but for the future. Clue’s mulberry wine was well-known during his prime, but what truly set him apart was his style of living. His tilted hat, his self-assured presence, and his steady hand in all things served as inspiration. He left behind more than stories and teachings; he left a legacy of doing things with purpose and flair.

I define who I am and I am more than what you expect.

Where Innovation Meets Heritage

As I sought to bring the modern chapters of Sidney and Clue’s stories to life, it wasn’t about replicating their exact craft. It was about carrying their legacy forward, honoring their traditions while reimagining them in ways they might applaud from afar.

This is where Carolina Gold rice enters the story. The rice, known for its distinct flavor and historical significance, may not have been part of either patriarch's original liquor recipes, but its story is familiar. Brought to the Americas during the transatlantic slave trade, and cultivated by Clue's Geechee ancestors, it is a grain of resilience. It represents survival and transformation, finding ways to thrive in the soil and hands of those forced to leave everything else behind.

Today, Siwani Spirits taps into that story, using Carolina Gold rice as an ingredient to anchor innovation in heritage. It’s a way of acknowledging both the hardship and perseverance of the past while crafting something extraordinary that looks to the future. Much like Black dandyism, it transforms utility into elegance. What was once a grain of survival becomes a foundation for creativity, flavor, and the unexpected.

Designing a Story

Beyond what’s inside the bottle, Siwani’s design tells its own tale. Inspired by the sleek, geometric beauty of the Harlem Renaissance, each bottle is a nod to the undeniable sophistication of that era. The muted gold accents and clean, confident lines draw from the same ethos of refinement that Black dandies have embodied for generations.

My Great-grandpa, Sidney James Swann, 1920s.

But a deeper tribute lies in the photograph that inspired it all. Great-grandpa as a young man, in his suit and tie, timeless. His image casts a long shadow over the brand, not as nostalgia but as a reminder. A reminder of what it means to stand with dignity, to create with care, and to carry pride in all we do.

What was once a grain for survival becomes a foundation for creativity, flavor, and the unexpected.

Carrying the Legacy Forward

We honor those who came before, with a brand built with the hope of carrying their stories forward. We are bold but thoughtful, modern but soaked in history. We honor Sidney’s craftsmanship and Clue’s flair, blending old and new just as Black dandies always have, sewing the golden threads of heritage into illustrious fabrics of the present.

Every bottle of Silva and Clü whispers pieces of their story. The daring creativity of Silva, bold and untamed, and the sophistication of Clü, refined and deliberate, mirrors their Sidney’s energy and care. And woven through both is the story of Carolina Gold rice, reinforcing the connection to resilience, survival, and transformation.

An Invitation

Pour yourself a glass, feel its warmth, and know you’re holding more than a spirit. You’re holding a history of people who refused to settle for what was handed to them. A legacy of pride, reimagined. With each sip, you’re not just celebrating where we’ve been. You’re joining in on where we’re going.

Here’s to individuality. Here's to excellence. Here’s to elegance. Here’s to living boldly, dressing finely, and savoring deeply. Here’s to Siwani. 🦢🌟