Black Fashion Icons by J. Walker
Black Fashion Icons.
I decided to write about the men and woman of color who a lot of people either never here about or rarely hear about in fashion. There are so many talented women and men in history who are essential to fashion today. Not only did some of these people pave the way for some black people in fashion but for ALL people. And as you will see some these men and women are still influencing a lot of fashion we see today. I want to just say I had to point out that this post isn’t about women or men of color paving ways for BLACK people but for all people, so listen up.
First we have Eunice Johnson, the founder of the Ebony Fashion Fair. Ms. Johnson was famous for taking black girls turning them into international supermodels. She bought from the top designers in France, Italy, all over to be put in her couture fashion shows.
Chaka Khan, an American R&B, soul, and pop diva is just everything. This woman is a big inspiration to me. This woman made bohemian cool. One the most influential style icons of the 70s.
Josephine Baker born in America but found fame in France, was a dancer and actress known for her ‘banana dance’ she found fame in the 1920s and until her death in 1975.
Pam Grier what a woman and a bad one at that. As an actress known for her role as “foxy brown” was not only a sex symbol but a style icon of the 70s. Pam Grier showed women everywhere how we can be sexy, independent, and daring.
Coretta Scott King may have been the wife of Dr. Martin Luther King but just like Jackie-O (President Kennedy’s wife) she was also a very well-known style icon in the 50s and 60s and also as an activist beside her husband and even after his death.
Jean-Michel Basquait was an artist from Harlem who rose to fame in the 80s and not only was he a main stream black artist but it was the first time a lot of people saw a successful black artist from the hood walk, talk and look like he was from the hood.
Dick Gregory might be one the coolest men alive. Comedian and well known as a social activist during the civil rights era, Gregory was definitely the “it man” of his time when it came to style, he made the classic tailored suit cool.
Move over Gucci Mane and Pimp C. LOL. Matthew Henson, an American explorer was well known for his many fur coats and being photographed in very luxurious and exotic animals.
Huey Newton was the original gangster. His style, his attitude, and even the clothes that he wore. “All black everything” he stamped that. Leather jackets he DID that. But Besides being a fashion icon, Newton was of course the founder of the black panther party and a social activist.
Finally, Richard Pryor. One the REALEST men ever to walk this earth, a lot of women wanted him and a lot of men wanted to be him. He could make anyone laugh, had style, and personality. Known as one the greatest comedians ever, Pryor was also a well-known fashion Icon throughout the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s.
Signed,J.Walker
https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousJAZ
Owner, Designer, and Head Stylist of Lipstick Rebels and The Jazmin Walker Collection
great write up!!