Sunday afternoon I had the pleasure of being introduced to the
fashions of high tier designers through the eyes of a successful black fashion
mogul. Since October, the Museum of Design Atlanta has hosted the Ebony Fashion
Fair Exhibit, an exhibit celebrating the work of Eunice Johnson, the director
of the annual Ebony Fashion Fair that ran from 1958 to 2009, and the garments
that were presented in the show. It featured fur coats, pinched tulle,
embroidered dresses, leather jumpsuits, and so many more creative ideas from
those of Alexander McQueen, Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, and other designers
from Europe and North America.
In 1958, Mr. and Mrs. John Johnson (of Johnson Publishing
Company, the publisher of Ebony
magazine), along with Freda DeKnight, the original fashion editor for the show,
traveled to Paris and Rome to find spectacular and dazzling garments to bring
to the Americas. The idea started with DeKnight, who came to Mr. and Mrs.
Johnson asking for models for a charity show she wanted to hold. The Johnsons
offered to take over the show, and thus, the annual Ebony Fashion Fair began.
The models, mostly of African American lineage, strutted
down the catwalk and twirled in high fashion designs, giving inspiration and
hope to the black audience. At the time, the idea was taboo, but innovative and
groundbreaking, as it introduced the black community to a whirlwind of
luxurious and affluent versions of themselves. Although making civil right
achievements, many blacks still did not know what it was like to shine in the
lime light or portray power through their attire. According to the exhibit,
before the makings of the show, black women still believed that they couldn’t
wear purple, red, or yellow. I mean, what? If I’m not wearing black or grey,
you can find me in red, so I couldn’t imagine abiding to those fashion rules. The
traveling fashion show gave the marginalized minority group the validation that
they, too, could appear successful, proper, and glamourous.
Walking through the exhibit, I was amazed at the
similarities of what was featured then and what’s in style now. Posted along a
wall was the cover of every fashion fair magazine, and it warmed me inside to
see the models in dresses and accessories that I could see myself rocking now.
So how does this all tie in to me being a Misguided
Wanderer? Well, I definitely learned something Sunday. For a long time, I never
exposed myself to the historical achievements black people made in the fashion
world, but the exhibit showed me that black people can, have done, currently
do, and will continue to make advancements in the industry. It empowered me as
a young, black, self-proclaimed fashionista. I admire the pioneers of this
venture, because they saw and fulfilled an opportunity to empower those who
could use a cosmetic “pick-me-up.” They sent the message that black skin of all
hues is beautiful, and it can be embellished however chosen.
At its height, the show traveled to over 180 cities
worldwide and raised over $55 million dollars for black charities. Although the
fashion fair has come to a standstill, Eunice Johnson’s mission still lives on.
Nearly five years after her passing, she continues to introduce the black
community to European couture through her hard work while she was alive. She
fought for what she believed in, and she made things happen. Her tenacity and
perseverance is a beautiful thing, and I can only strive for the same success.
If you didn't get a chance to catch the exhibit, you can see
the costume list here.
Until next time, wanderers.
