Black Fashion Models Photo Archive, 1950s-70s

Black Fashion Models

Photograph

Archive of three black and white silver gelatin photographs of black models dating from the 1950s-70s. Photographs measure approx. 8" x 10". This archive includes a press photo from 1974, showing model Beverly Bradshaw posed in front of a museum display of elephants wearing a traditional Nigerian Ibo wrapped dress designed by Angie Ihejirika. Article on verso from the Chicago Sun Times details Mrs. Ihejirika's demonstration of the art of African wrapping at the Field Museum of Natural History. Photo has a bald patch on left side, not affecting subject matter. Also included is a print of twelve Kodak film cells showing actress and model Nancy Westbrook in a series of poses sitting within a large picture frame. Seven images show Westbrook in a bikini and five wearing only a fur stole. These photographs date to the early 1950s and least one, the third down on the left, appeared in Jet Magazine with a short profile of Ms. Westbrook in 1953. Another photograph, undated, shows a black model in profile from the neck up, smiling, in a sun hat tilted away from camera to frame her head with a halo-like effect. Modeling in fashion and print has historically been dominated by white women, reflecting a bias in beauty standards in the United States. These images show black women claiming space in the often exclusionary fashion world of the mid-late 20th century. Overall very good condition. Three images of black fashion models in the US, 1950s-70s.

Item #20623

Price: $850.00