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Black Models Celebrated As Runway Revolutionaries
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Designer Roy Halston Frowick, known best by his middle name only, with model Pat Cleveland at a party following the Coty Awards in 1972. Halston frequently used Cleveland to showcase his fluid, body-hugging designs.
It was the fashion equivalent of a first-class prize fight — the Thrilla in Manila, only with high heels, not boxing gloves. In one corner, the titans of French haute couture: the houses of
Yves St. Laurent, Christian Dior, Hubert de Givenchy, Emanuel Ungaro and Pierre Cardin. Designers known for being elegant, traditional, proper. And in the other corner, some of America's best and brightest: Anne Klein, Oscar de la Renta, Bill Blass, Halston and a swiftly rising star, Stephen Burrows.
The audience at the Palace of Versailles that November of 1973 was star-studded, too: plenty of American socialites, one of the richest women in France, and the former Grace Kelly, now Princess Grace of Monaco. But as important as those ladies were, the event was transformed by the presence of several African-American models. According to Harold Koda, curator in charge of the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum in New York, at the evening's end, fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert, who'd dreamed up the event, described it this way: "It was as if, on this cold night, all the windows of Versailles had been blown open."
Bethann Hardison (left) with Daniela Morera and designer Stephen Burrows. After she stopped modeling, Hardison went on to found her own agency. After two successful decades, she sold it and started the Black Girls' Coalition, an advocacy and support organization for black models, with Iman.
Around 200 people will gather Monday at the Costume Institute to celebrate these black models whose work that night made American fashion a contender on the world stage.
Koda says many people he interviewed who were at Versailles said the event nearly 40 years ago was special. "And what made the presentation of the Americans so riveting, magical and overwhelmed the presentation of the French was the presence of African-American models," he says.
Sandi Bass began her European modeling career the same year as the Versailles event, and remembers how excited she was to hear about black models triumphing in the cradle of the French fashion establishment.
"There was a certain kind of walk that we had at the time, and I'm just going to say it was pretty much the 'black girls' walk,'" she says. "We were free, we were spirited, we would smile. ... It was like a little trot down the runway." Bass, who worked for Givenchy for several years, says that after Versailles, a number of French designers turned to black girls as models and as inspiration. Many of the models served as both muse and sounding boards to the designers with whom they worked closely; the old don't-speak-unless-the-coutourier-addresses-you protocol was swept aside, Bass says. "We had no holds barred, the personalities just flourished and opened, and this created an excitement for the designers as well as the audience," she says.
Fashion historian Barbara Summers enjoyed a 17-year career with Ford, one of America's top modeling agencies. She says the models at Versailles caught the world's attention, in part because of their numbers. There had been black models before, but they were considered exotic rarities. "At Versailles they had never seen so many flagrantly beautiful black women at one time, so that was a revolution," she says. The turning-heads kind of revolution, not the chopping-heads kind. Summers says the Versailles audience was used to the chilly remoteness of the models who showcased European couture. "Black girls changed all that; they plugged fashion into what was happening now and that meant R&B, rock 'n' roll, dancing, music, popular culture," she says. "They brought the electricity of popular culture into fashion."
Koda says Versailles came at the moment the world was changing: It was getting younger, there was lots of social upheaval and people were ready for change.
Summers believes the black models who presented at Versailles were pioneers in overturning an outmoded aesthetic.
"They weren't planning on being revolutionaries, but they happened to be at the right place at the right time," she says. "And for a revolution to take place at Versailles, let me tell you, for these little black girls to be running around, kicking up a fuss, showing off, it had to be absolutely thrilling."
Many of the models served as both muse and sounding boards to the designers with whom they worked closely; the old don't-speak-unless-the-coutourier-addresses-you protocol has been swept aside, Bass says. "We had no holds barred, the personalities just flourished and opened, and this created an excitement for the designers as well as the audience," she says.
Fashion’s Tribute to the Greats: NYC Celebrates the BLACK Models of Versailles 1973
On Monday, January 24, 2011, New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art was brooding with fashion alum for the tribute to the Models of Versailles 1973. Hosted by esteemed designer Oscar de la Renta and fashion great Stephen Burrows, the event brought out the likes of Diane von Furstenberg, Anna Sui, June Ambrose, Estelle, Sam Fine, Veronica Webb, Bethann Hardison, Michaela Angela Davis, Cicely Tyson and a bevy of others. Pat Cleveland, Billie Blair and Norma Jean Darden were just some of the models that were honored. The models of Versailles 1973 altered society's perception of American fashion's presentation almost 40 years ago.
Click here to see more photos of the event:
On Saturday the 4th Annual BET Honors was hosted by Gabrielle Union. Celebration of special contributions of the six honorees in the arts and culture, the award show was a 2 hour event. Before the big show, the celebrities were on the red carpet of the BET Honors 2011 showing off their threads.
This inspirational award show which highlights distinguished African Americans performing at exceptional levels in their fields will premiere during Black History Month. The 2011 award ceremony were Cicely Tyson (Theatrical Arts), Jamie Foxx (Entertainer), Iman (Service), Linda Johnson Rice (Media), Herbie Hancock (Musical Arts), and historian Lonnie G. Bunch (Education).
Take a look at the red carpet of the 4th Annual BET Honors. The celebrities appear to be delighted to be part of the evening. The BET Honors will be on BET Channel on Monday, February 21 at 9:00 pm. Red Carpet Photos - Here
Iman's hair courtesy of Celebrity Hairstylist Oscar James at www.OscarJames.com
This year, Fashion Night Out, celebrated its 2nd Annual fashion extravaganza. The star studded evening was one of the most highly anticipated of the evening. Not only could you see fashions come to life in plain view but were you ready for 3D? Byron Lars Beauty Mark in 3D presented by Sony was a fresh innovative step into a new direction for the fashion world. On September 10th 2010, the streets of New York City along Madison Avenue between 55th and 56th Street were filled with heart stopping stilettos and over thousands of fashionista’s from all around the world.
Fashion authorities like: Style Director, Constance White; Fashion Editor, Michaela Angela Davis; Lifestyle Writer, Harriette Cole with special invited guest; Nicole Murphy, Stacie J., Jacque Reid and Milky Jean.
Life like dolls dawned breathtaking must have looks from the creative designers Spring /Summer 2011 collection, “Refined Tribalism”.
Diva’s and Divo’s were welcomed to the Sony Style Store experience by the style team sporting their flashy and fashionable new XE camera’. The night mood was set with a smooth delectable classy taste mixed with a very fashionable treat brought to you by the Xante’ and Ty*Ku liquor brand team.
A bright focal point of the evening shouted aloud as the new Byron Lars BLEaCH collection made its debut. The BLEaCH collection, a new Ready To Wear journey, contains intricate constructed lines with detailed hidden surprises given a new transformation to the classic white button down.
Celebrities and Fashion Icons of all times alike transcended in fashion heaven as the 3D experience instantly came to life before their very eyes. “Refined Tribalism” erupted with leopard lace prints, embossed cashmere textures and signature looks, accessorized with classic pearls and Avant Garde’ timeless head dresses.
NY S|S 2011, Byron Lars + Iman Cosmetics from David M Garcia on Vimeo.
Producer | 5D Shooter | Editor - David M Garcia (davidmgarcia.com) - for Iman Cosmetics (imancosmetics.com)
The crowd was pleased as Lars himself thanked everyone for making the night truly a favorite that will forever be cherished. Special thanks to: Sheila Gray, Sony, An’jels Salon, Iman Cosmetics, Tai Chunn & MVC Productions, Nikki Walker PR team, all 15 fashion volunteers and of course event producer Richard E. Pelzer II and MEGA Management Inc for the best fashion experience of the season. If you missed the event, don’t freight because you can explore the collection in a department store near you as the Byron Lars collection debuts in Lord & Taylor department stores across the globe in October 2010.
Visit: www.ByronLarsBeautyMark.com
BYRON LARS BEAUTY MARK Spring/Summer 2011 Collection in Sony 3D
Hardware. Software. Ready to Wear.
For two decades, famed fashion designer Byron Lars has showcased out of the box thinking and craftsmanship. On Friday, September 10, 2010 during New York’s annual Fashion’s Night Out, he will project his fashion sensibilities literally by collaborating with technology titan SONY Electronics in 37 Sony stores across the US. The partnership, presented at Sony's flagship Manhattan Sony Style Store, will make the Beauty Mark S/S 2011 Collection seem to leap out of the box, by featuring it in Sony 3D.
Byron Lars Beauty Mark will offer attendees a new look at both fashion and technology at the height of innovation, “Byron Lars in Sony 3D.” Innovation for the designer means channeling the roots of fashion in its most elaborate yet practical sense.
This season Lars explores many classic American themes reinterpreted with a slightly tribal sensibility, resulting in what the house refers to as "twisted classicism". Sony Bravia 3D HDTV & Sony NEX-5 Camera will directly connect the tactile with the technological against a backdrop of one of the country's most technologically advanced lifestyle boutiques.
“We are extremely excited to be a part of Byron’s S/S 2011 collection. Sony’s cutting edge 3D technology is setting the stage for the way that viewers experience events. Merging this technology with the fashion world presents an amazing experience for fashion and technology enthusiasts,” says Linda Turner, Senior Vice President, Direct Retail – Sony Electronics.
Byron's clothes have faithful fans ranging from young Hollywood trend setter, Kim Kardashian to big screen starlets Jessica Biel, Dakota and Elle Fanning and now even First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama. These names show how his clothes intrigue women of all age groups with their stellar construction and earthly price point.
(Photo to the right: Elle Fanning at 2010 Hollywood Twilight Premiere)
“Sony Bravia 3D HDTV and the NEX-5 camera have really upped the ante in fashion photography now. I'm absolutely thrilled that my clothes were chosen to be a part of this ground breaking technology,” says Lars.
Byron Lars Beauty Mark and Sony; Setting Style Trends and watching the rest follow…in Sony 3D, of course!
