Color Photograph Archive of 1984 Runway Show Featuring Black Models and Backstage Scenes

Black Models Fashion Show

Photograph

Photographic archive (1984) documenting African American participation in fashion runway culture during a period of expanding visibility for Black models within commercial and public-facing fashion events. The images center on runway presentation, styling, and performance, with emphasis on clothing, posture, and audience reception. The material supports research into Black representation in fashion, the aesthetics of 1980s design, and the intersection of race, visibility, and consumer culture within the fashion industry.
Archive of 20 original color photographs, dated July 1984. Prints measure approximately 4 x 4.5 inches to 5 x 6 inches. The photographs depict multiple runway scenes featuring Black models in varied outfits, including bright casual wear, dresses, athletic ensembles, and business-influenced styles. Specific images include a model wearing a pink lace floral dress with ribbon detailing and white heels, figures in coordinated athletic-inspired outfits with bold color accents, and a model in a white dress trimmed with pink ruffles and pearl-like ornamentation. One image shows a male model in white flared overalls and sandals. Additional photographs capture audience members of mixed racial identities seated along the runway, as well as backstage moments in which models pose against a wall displaying portraits of other figures associated with the production or company. Several prints bear date stamps reading “7/84” on the verso.
Produced during a decade marked by gradual shifts in fashion industry representation, these photographs provide visual evidence of Black models occupying central roles in runway presentation while engaging with broader stylistic trends of the period. The inclusion of both runway and backstage scenes allows for study of performance, preparation, and audience interaction within fashion environments. Light handling wear and minor surface marks; overall very good condition. A cohesive visual record of 1980s runway culture with emphasis on African American representation.

Item #19735

Price: $425.00