While Madame Baker dazzled in France , the actress Dorothy Dandridge made a name for herself in Hollywood with films such as Carmen Jones and Porgy and Bess. The ravishing beauty was known not only for her enormous talent but also for her classic, simplistic and modest style. While other actresses of her time opted for gaudy, over embellished frocks, Dorothy dressed casually in well-cut blouses, boyish trousers and form fitting dresses. The starlet’s charisma, vulnerability and universal appeal broke many barriers of discrimination and bigotry that were common place in American society and culture at the time. It was during the 60’s that the emergence of the world’s first black super models occurred.   

Before Naomi and Tyra ever stalked the runway, there was Donyale Luna.  Donyale was born Peggy Ann Freeman in Detroit, Michigan. After being discovered by David McCabe, The young woman quickly moved to New York to pursue a modeling career and soon became the first black woman to land the cover of Vogue in 1966. The iconic cover featured a sultry Donyale covering half her face with her palm. While it may seem quite odd today, it was suggested by the photographer as an attempt to camouflage her ethnicity and escape backlash from readers who disapproved of the idea of a black cover girl. Donyale was remembered as a rock  muse who partied with the likes of the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Andy Warhol.

The 70’s brought a wave of change throughout Black fashion, with the black power movement erupting throughout America. Black movies were all the rage and the brightest star in Black Hollywood was undoubtedly Pam Grier. The Foxy actress made a bold statement of black pride with her halo of natural hair and her love of halter jumpsuits, tall boots and patterned silk. In today’s society we are surrounded by actresses, models, designers that have made it but we must never forget who we are and where we came from.