Ola Hudson may not be a household name, but she has made some contributions to fashion. Many black designers do not get the recognition they deserve. So today's black history post is about Ola Hudson. Ola Hudson was born on October 12, 1946, in Los Angeles, California. Before pursuing her career as a designer, Hudson was a trained dancer. She studied at the Lester Horton School of Modern Dance. Shortly after, she went on to study at the Institute of Dance in Paris, at Le Loft[...]
From illustrator to fashion designer, Alvin Bell developed his love of drawing and fashion at a young age. At eight years old he entered and won a Philadelphia citywide drawing contest. Bell attended the Philadelphia Museum College of Art, where he studied illustration and was mentored by Margaret Caravera. While taking advanced courses, He met future fashion designer Willi Smith, who became one of his closest friends. When Bell graduated from Edward Bok Vocational High School in 1964, h[...]
Jay Jaxon was born Eugene Jackson on August 30, 1941, in Queens, New York. The youngest of four, born to Ethel Rena-Jackson and Sidney Jackson. His father, Sidney Jackson, was a truck driver, and his mother, Ethel Rena-Jackson, was a housekeeper. While in high school, Jaxon moved in with a family that lived nearby, helping them with childcare. There he would join in with the family when they would make clothing. Jaxon discovered his love of fashion while tailoring a dress[...]
Today I wanted to highlight a few black-owned handbag brands to watch out for. If you're looking for something new, check out these designers. Brandon Blackwood Love, Cortnie Vavvoune Mateo Nucian Ree Projects[...]
Pat Cleveland was one of the first black supermodels to gain prominence as a runway and print model. Cleveland was born in New York City on June 23, 1952, to father Johnny Johnston a white jazz saxophonist, and her mother Ladybird, a painter who was of African American and Native American descent. Cleveland attended LaGuardia High School of Art and Design, where her first love was fashion. By the age of fourteen, she was designing and wearing her own cr[...]
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrA0sXfnIPf/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Meet male model Alton Mason, 2019 he became the first black male model to have walked the runway for Chanel during their Métiers d'Art show. This groundbreaking moment in the brand's 109-year existence was long overdue. https://www.instagram.com/p/CG7wkW5pneg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Mason was born November 21, 1997, to a father who is a former professional basketball player and his mother a f[...]
With the start of Black History Month, I have decided to showcase African Americans in fashion for the next 28 days. We're all familiar with some of today's top luxury shoe designers, but there are a few black-owned luxury shoe lines that deserve recognition. Shoe shopping is one of my favorite past-times. For my next pair, I was thinking about splurging and buying a pair of high-end shoes. Then I thought, why not purchase from a black designer. I did my research and found a few black-ow[...]
If fashion is subjective, then why all the rules? I believe you if you like it and you feel comfortable wearing it, wear it. Everyone wants to dress their best when they step out of the house. People should wear what makes them feel comfortable. Throughout the years, many people have blindly followed these rules. But in 2021, it's time to leave them in the past. 1. Dress Your Age As we age, our style evolves. We begin to feel more comfortable in our own skin the[...]
One of the most common unwritten fashion rules is no white after labor day. I never quite understood this rule. I'm all for people wearing what they want when they want (to a certain extent). Through the years, I've consciously avoided wearing white after Labor Day. But now, white is a staple in my closet, ready to be worn year-round. So, where did this no white after labor day rule come from? According to Time magazine, people wore white in the summer months as a way to s[...]
I’ve been in love with Tracee Ellis Ross since her Joan Clayton days on the hit series Girlfriends. On or off camera, I’ve always admired her style. I love how she wears different patterns and is not afraid to mix them up. I’m soooooo excited to announce that I've partnered with @JCPenney to create a holiday collection that I hope empowers women to embrace their joyful spirit. Each piece was imagined and designed by me! Prices range from $12-$75, and sizes range from Small to 3X[...]