// // ]]> Dorothea Towles was the first African American model to work for Haute Couture houses in Paris. Dorothea Towles was Born on July 26, 1922, in Texarkana, Texas. Towles traveled to Los Angeles, California after her mother's death in the early 1940s, where she enrolled herself in the Dorothy Ferrier Modeling School where she was the first black student. In 1949, Dorothea followed her older sister Lois to France. After Arriving in Paris, she fell in love with the city and found t[...]
Willi Smith was considered to be the most successful African-American clothing designer during his time. Willi Donnell Smith was born on February 29, 1948, in Philadelphia. Growing up he took inspiration from his parents and grandmother, who always dressed fashionably stylish despite being on limited budgets. While in high school Smith studied commercial art at Mastbaum Technical High School in Philadelphia. After graduating high school, he enrolled at the Philadelphia College of Art to study[...]
Tyson Beckford was the first black male model to sign an exclusive contract with Ralph Lauren in 1993. He was also the first black male model to receive supermodel status. With the help of a talent agent, Beckford was introduced to the world of Fashion. After being spotted by an editor from the hip-hop magazine "The Source" in 1991, Beckford begins to pursue a modeling career with the advice of the editor. While pursuing a modeling career, Beckford soon landed a contract with a New York mod[...]
Katiti Kironde made history when she became the first black woman to land the cover of Glamour Magazine on their August 1968 issue. The issue made history, selling more than two million copies worldwide. Today Katiti works as a Fashion Designer creating a line of perfected women's white shirts and blouses, a classic staple that focuses on minimalist sophistication. //[...]
Iman In 2010 Iman became the first woman of color to receive the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) Fashion Icon award. The CFDA's annual awards ceremony honors excellence in fashion design, which is often called the "Oscars of fashion." Nominations are submitted by CFDA members and by select fashion publications, retailers, and stylists. The award winners are voted on and announced at the annual CFDA Fashion Awards gala event. This award is desired in the fashion industry and is[...]
// // ]]> As I was doing research for Black History month I came across L’Tanya Griffin, an African American fashion designer, and Stylist. Unable to find a sufficient amount of information on Griffin, I decided to share the little info I was able to find. In 1954, L’Tanya signed a multi-year contract with Edward D. Wood Production company to create gowns for 20 of its films, causing her to become the first African American designer to have a contract with a Hollywood film studio. If y[...]
The Iconic Stephen Burrows Burrow's signature palette of vibrant colors and approach to cut and modern silhouettes brought him world recognition as the first African-American designer. Graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 1966, Burrows got his start designing for the rich and famous during the Studio 54 era. His clients included Cher, Diana Ross, Lauren Bacall, Liza Minnelli, Naomi Campbell, Iman, and Barbara Streisand among others. He was well-known for his matte jersey dre[...]
Naomi Sims As one of the world's first black supermodels, Sims personified the term “Black is beautiful,” while breaking racial barriers both on the runway and as a businesswoman. Naomi Sims is considered the first black supermodel to ever land the cover for Ladies Home Journal in November 1968. She broke barriers during a time when African American models were scarce. Naomi Ruth Sims was born on March 30, 1948, in Oxford, Mississippi the third of three daughters of John and Elizabeth Sims.[...]
Another hidden gem in African American History was Ann Lowe a woman who made Fashion History that many people never even knew about. Ms. Lowe was born in Clayton, Alabama in 1898. She was the daughter and granddaughter of seamstresses who were known for creating dresses for the first ladies of Alabama. Lowe’s mother passed away when she was just 16, forcing her to complete her mother’s unfinished work for the governor’s wife. Lowe enrolled in S.T. Taylor Design School in New York, wher[...]
Winter Fashion Survival Tips With winter being right around the corner don't let that stop you from being stylish. Staying warm and fashionable at the same time is very possible. There are many cute, warm, and stylish hats to choose from that'll help you survive this winter season. Keep warm with a stylish thick chunky scarf or go for more of a statement scarf, either way, they'll add warmth and style. Keep those fingers cozy with a pair of warm stylish mittens or gloves. They come in just[...]