Paying Homage

Paying Homage by Mekk on Polyvore.com

On this last day of Black History Month, let's pay homage to all of the beautiful Black women in fashion. They broke barriers and showed the world what beauty and fashion are all about...pure, raw style. Style in the way they walked the runway, style in the clothes they chose to wear, style in front of the camera, style in the way they performed.

Miss Ross

Photos: Photobucket.com

I already gave you a taste of her fabulous daughter. She clearly gets it from her mama.

Dashiki

Dashiki by Mekk featuring Miu Miu shoes

A modern take on the dashiki; a West African garment popularized during the 1960's "Black Power Movement". At a time when Black Americans were trying to affirm that "Black is Beautiful", the dashiki was worn as a symbol of that. It was also worn as a symbol of their connection to the continent of Africa.

Black Women Wear Many Hats...

Sunday's Best by Mekk featuring Jacques Vert hats

...especially on Sunday. Big, bold, elaborate, colorful hats are what you can expect to see on a Sunday morning. On most Sundays they are toned down, but if there is a special occasion...anniversary, Easter, etc., forget about it!

And the Tents are Down...

...forever. Well Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is over and the tents at Bryant Park are no more, and they won't be again. Fashion Week will continue, but it has found a new home at Lincoln Center. Whenever I think Fashion Week, I think tents so it's surely gonna be weird adjusting to the new location. And I say this like I have actually worked Fashion Week before. Ha! I'm a mess, forgive me.

Sadly, this is all that I have to say about Fashion Week. I know you all are going to want to string me up for saying this, but I wasn't really interested in Fashion Week this season for whatever reason. I saw more coverage of who was sitting front row than what was actually on the runway. I do have one highlight though. It is a quote that I read in the Metro from security guard Rich Barrett...

"We either get a blizzard in February or a hurricane in September. I don't think God likes fashion".

Seems appropriate for a Sunday : )

Naomi Sims

Photo: AOL Black Voices

Naomi Sims (1948-2009)

Another "first" when it comes to Black Americans in the fashion industry, Naomi Sims was the first Black model to grace the cover of Ladies' Home Journal in November 1968. She modeled for designers such as Halston, Giorgio di Sant'Angelo and Teal Traina. After five years in the modeling industry, Sims went on to establish a wig business geared towards Black women. This business grew into a multi-million dollar empire, expanding to fragrances, cosmetics and books including "How to be a Top Model" and "All about Health and Beauty for Black Women".

Naomi Sims died in August 2009 at the age of 61 after a battle with cancer.

For the Lover in You

For the Lover in You by Mekk featuring Marc by Marc Jacobs bags

Happy Valentine's Day all! Remember to always, always, always love yourself!

Dorothea Towles Church

Dorothea Towles Church (July 26, 1922-July 7, 2006)

Church was the first successful Black American model in Paris during the 1950's. She modeled for Pierre Balmain, Christian Dior and Elsa Schiaparelli. Though she experienced much success in Paris and felt that her race did not matter there, she was not completely immune to racism. Won't go into detail about that though. Let's focus on the fact that she opened up doors for Black women in fashion. Ms. Campbell, Ms. Banks, Ms. Iman and a host of others owe you a lot Ms. Church.

Flesh Colored Stockings

The real name of this image is Life in Philadelphia and it is a May 1829 caricature...but a caricature of what is up to you to decide. The story behind the image is that the woman asks the salesperson for flesh colored stockings, and he happily obliged. We see the stockings that he is holding, right? Well, White Americans may have been more amused at the concept of the Black Bourgeoisie (shown here in her attire) as opposed to being amused at the flesh colored stockings. The image is supposedly not an overtly racist one. I'll let you be the judge.

Donyale Luna

photo: Essence magazine online




Donyale Luna (January 1944- May 1979), was born Peggy Ann Freeman in Detroit, Michigan. Donyale Luna became the first Black model to land the cover of Vogue, appearing on the March 1966 issue of British Vogue. Luna was discovered by photographer David McCabe, after which she moved to New York City to pursue modeling. Aside from being the first Black model to grace the cover of Vogue magazine, Luna also appeared in films including several produced by Andy Warhol.

The eccentric Donyale Luna was known to have issues with being Black. She claimed that she was a mixture of a multitude of ethnicities including Mexican, Irish and last of which, Black. Racial identity issues aside, there is no denying her beauty and the doors she opened for Black models.

Donyale Luna died tragically in 1979 from an accidental pill overdose in Rome.

Pat Cleveland

Sadly, the first time I learned of the great Pat Cleveland was while perusing my "A Black Issue" Italian Vogue of July 2008. I then saw her on the Tyra Banks show right after the release of this issue.

She was the youngest model to tour with Ebony's Fashion Fair at the tender age of 15. She was one of the first Black supermodels and was muse to both Halston and Yves St. Laurent. When Ms. Cleveland walked the runway...wow! Strutting and striking poses as if it was HER show. Who would think a model would have been able to get away with having that much presence, that much charisma on the runway. Her charisma and spunk wasn't limited to the runway as she was a mainstay on the Studio 54 scene. She was the epitome of the supermodel of times passed, when the supermodel was celebrity. She is/was PHENOMENAL!