History Lesson! Black History Month
I was at an event last week and there was a portion of the talk dedicated to Black History month and all of the unsung heroes. A fun fact for your next networking event: Thomas Jennings invented a process called “dry-sourcing”, receiving a patent in 1821 and becoming the first African American to be granted a patent. His dry sourcing process was a predecessor to todays dry cleaning methods(read more in our previous post).
Buckle up, fashion fans, because we're about to take a whirlwind tour of Black history through the lens of style!
From Kente to Couture: A Legacy of Style
Black fashion history is nothing short of remarkable. It's a story of resilience, self-expression, and cultural pride woven into every stitch. From the vibrant Kente cloths of West Africa to the haute couture gowns of today's designers, Black fashion has always been a powerful force.
Kente Cloth: textile that originated in western Africa
Early Days: Making Do with What You Got
Let's rewind to the days of slavery. Times were tough, resources were scarce, but Black folks still found ways to express themselves through fashion. They repurposed cast-off clothing, used bold colors and patterns, and created accessories with everyday items. Talk about upcycling before it was even a thing!
Born into Slavery
She was America’s first Drag Queen
The Fight for Freedom and Fashion
As the fight for freedom gained momentum, fashion became a tool for resistance and empowerment. Think Harriet Tubman's shawl hiding a map to freedom, or the powerful dashikis of the Black Power movement. These garments weren't just clothes; they were symbols of identity and defiance.
As was the custom on all plantations, when she turned eleven, she started wearing a bright cotton bandana around her head indicating she was no longer a child. She was also no longer known by her "basket name", Araminta. Now she would be called Harriet, after her mother.
Breaking Barriers and Owning the Runway
Fast forward to the 20th century, and Black designers were finally starting to break into the mainstream. Fashion icons like Zelda Wynn Valdez, Ann Lowe, and Patrick Kelly shattered glass ceilings and redefined beauty standards. Their designs were bold, innovative, and unapologetically Black.
Zelda Wynn Valdes drapes a dress in her workroom
“Fitting curvaceous women was what Zelda did, so it was a perfect fit," says Nancy Deihl, author of "The Hidden History of American Fashion: Rediscovery 20th-Century Women Designers"
Fashion Forward: Where We Are Now
Today, Black fashion is more vibrant and diverse than ever before. From streetwear giants like Virgil Abloh (R.I.P.) to contemporary designers like Telfar Clemens, Black creatives are leading the way and pushing boundaries. They're redefining luxury, celebrating cultural heritage, and proving that Black fashion is a force to be reckoned with.
Virgil Abloh
Abloh’s work within the fashion industry was revolutionary. He was coined by the New York Times as a “barrier-breaking Black designer whose ascent to the heights of the traditional luxury industry changed what was possible in fashion.” He passed November 28, 2021 after silently battling with a rare terminal form of cancer, cardiac angiosarcoma. (Click Here for More)
Black fashion has always had a playful side, from the flamboyant zoot suits of the 1940s to the outrageous bedazzled sneakers of today. So, let's have a laugh:
Remember when everyone thought sagging pants were a sign of disrespect? But then Karl Lagerfeld did it on the runway, and suddenly, it was high fashion? Talk about a plot twist!
And how about those times when people tried to cancel cultural appropriation, but then they saw Rihanna rocking Bantu knots and all bets were off? The queen sets the trends, not the other way around.
And let's not forget the never-ending debate about whether Crocs are shoes or crimes against fashion. But hey, if Christopher Walken can pull them off, then who are we to judge?
Black fashion history is a rich tapestry woven with struggle, triumph, and of course, a whole lot of style. So this Black History Month, let's celebrate the designers, the icons, and the everyday people who have made Black fashion what it is today. And remember, when it comes to fashion, the only rule is to have fun and rock it with confidence!
