Zelda Wynn Valdes vs. Misogynoir Fashion
1940s American culture praised voluptuous white women while mocking the natural curves on Black women’s bodies in the same breath. But designer Zelda Wynn Valdes crafted gorgeous gowns for full-figured Black women who couldn’t get service at discriminatory boutiques.
With such talent and skill, she soon was dressing stars like Dorothy Dandridge, Ella Fitzgerald, and even playboy bunnies!
Kerby Jean-Raymond vs. “Next in Fashion” on Netflix
When Next in Fashion judges prepared to eliminate the ONLY Black woman design team during a streetwear challenge - a style that Black folks pioneered - guest judge and renowned designer Kerby Jean-Raymond literally walked off set.
His stand brought much-needed attention to the ongoing appropriation of Black culture in the industry.
Naomi Campbell vs. Design Thieves
While headlining the 2019 Forbes Woman “Africa Leading Women Summit,” supermodel and philanthropist Naomi Campbell said plenty about Western designers stealing from African ones.
“For me, the workmanship, the textiles, this is what we need to keep on the continent. We cannot allow other brands and designers from the West to come in and take your textiles.”
Protect your art, Black people!
Amy Lefevre vs. Fashion Institute of Technology
Most recently, model Amy Lefevre put this fashion college on blast for their SUPER racist runway show. When told to wear prosthetic monkey ears, bushy eyebrows, and cartoonish red synthetic lips, she REFUSED - and gave us a glimpse into how little the fashion world cares about racism.
At the end of the day, our money fuels fashion. Let’s stop gassing an industry that values racist trends more than us!