In The World Of African American Fashion; Meet Designer Arthur McGee

Arthur McGee is considered the grandfather of fashion designers of color.

Arthur L. McGee was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1933. At the age of 18, he entered a contest to win a scholarship to attend Traphagen School of Design in New York and won after submitting the winning design. His inspiration came from his mother, who created her own fashions.

Arthur went on to study millinery and apparel design at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). While attending FIT he began working for the American couturier Charles James. He later produced his own designs while pursuing employment in New York’s apparel manufacturing industry.

In 1957, Arthur became the first African-American to run the design room of an established Seventh Avenue apparel company, Bobby Brooks. His remarkable talent and the broad appeal of his work transcended racial barriers, selling to such stores as Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, Henri Bendel, Bonwit Teller, Bergdorf Goodman, and Lord & Taylor. He went on to open his first store in the early 1960s on St. Mark’ s Place in New York City. He became the designer of choice for many celebrities, including Lena Horne, Cicely Tyson, and Stevie Wonder.

Arthur McGee was known as the dean of African-American designers, he mentored many young talents, including Aziza Braithwaite Bey (Elena Braith) and the late Willi Smith, paving the way for designers of color. 

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Source: ArthurMcGee

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