Black History Month: Honoring Black Fashion Icons
February is Black History Month, and what better way to celebrate the contributions of African Americans than to highlight Black style icons who have helped shape the fashion industry this year. Fashion is an art form, a tool of self-expression that reflects one’s culture, traditions, and personality. Additionally, fashion unites us, bringing different people together to recognize and honor our uniqueness and identity through clothes, shoes, and accessories. It is our responsibility to respect and learn from these fashion trends, embracing cultural appreciation, not appropriation.
One icon to salute is singer, actor, and author Billy Porter, whose bold statements motivate us to take risks with bold colors as they take the red carpet by storm. At the 2021 American Music Awards, Porter wore an electric turquoise suit, carried a matching umbrella, black platforms, and blinging rings to catch the paparazzi’s attention from afar. Porter asserts, “For years I tried to put myself in a box, and it frustrated me, so I had to let go and let the universe take its course.” Porter knows how to make an appearance and their presence does not go unnoticed, rain or shine.
Photo from Invision
While gender reveals became popular in the late 2000s, celebrities took it up a notch by announcing their pregnancy in style, and singer, actress, and fashion designer Rihanna and boyfriend A$AP Rocky rocked it. Rihanna wore a long vintage Chanel hot pink silk puffer coat and chain belt for her big announcement. The eye-catching gold pearl and gemstone cross pendant necklace, coordinating with the jacket’s buttons, lay across her baby bump. Captured on the snowy streets of Harlem, fans are hinting that the hot pink might be a nod to the baby’s gender. Her influence is evident by the 200% increase in searches for “hot pink puffer” that week! Furthermore, Rihanna’s body chains and glam are just a fashion-forward ensemble of what we can see this summer with bikinis and body chains wrapped around for an edgy style.
Photo by Miles Diggs
At the 2021 Emmy Awards, actress, singer, and songwriter Cynthia Erivo strutted a classy, chic peacock mermaid dress by Louis Vuitton. The white leather bodice shapes her silhouette, while the teal and blue feathers illustrate her confidence. Erivo was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her role as “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin in Genius. And she was definitely an outstanding leading lady on the red carpet, making us R-E-S-P-E-C-T her even more.
Photo from Getty Images
From on stage to screen, Zendaya’s vintage Valentino dress promoted HBO’s Euphoria Season 2 premiere. Her gown featured a scalloped neckline and thick black and white stripes which elongated her height. Euphoria is defined as a feeling or state of intense excitement and happiness. This teenage drama series follows a group of high school friends who face the challenges and struggles of these formative years: friendship, drugs, sex, loss, and love. Zendaya’s color contrast reflects the highs and lows of life, offering a preview of the upcoming season. This 25-year-old actress knows how to keep it classy while making a statement on the red carpet.
Photo by Katherine Kallon
We honor the memory of former news and creative director of Vogue and head of Numéro Russia magazine, André Leon Talley, who has been acclaimed as the most influential Black person in American fashion. A Durham, North Carolina native, Talley appeared in four seasons of “America’s Next Top Model” and “Sex and the City” the movie. Tally’s hard work, commitment and dedication to his craft defied all odds and transformed the fashion industry forever. This editor is larger than life in his personal style and impact, setting the scene for Black creatives, designers and writers. Tally once stated, “I never separated from my Blackness…My Blackness is what made me.” We hope to keep this global fashion trailblazer’s legacy alive.
Photo from ABC News
It’s inspiring when a retail store uses its brand to educate, raise awareness and further social justice. Nordstrom recently announced a celebration of highlighting their employees of color by sharing their stories and Black-owned and Black-founded brands this month. Nordstrom's diversity and inclusion team wants to change the public eye and publicly prove that the department store includes everyone. Honoring Black-owned clothes, food, and candle brands, the maintainers take pride in their products and in Nordstrom for promoting their items. To find out more about this, click on the link below:
While we celebrate Black History Month in February, each day we should honor the fashion icons who have shared their individuality, making an impact on our styles and trends and giving us the power to dress on the edge.