Ebony Fashion Fair Exhibit

     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. 

     

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