Black in Fashion
100 Years of Style, Influence & Culture
A stunning and comprehensive look at the indelible contribution of Black designers, models, scene-makers, and stylists to fashion history, from “the bible of fashion”—WWD.
Black in Fashion is a celebration of Black voices in fashion as captured by Women’s Wear Daily contributors and photographers since the publication’s inception in 1910. WWD is showcased here with more than 375 black-and-white and color photographs, illustrations, and articles from its massive archive. The book, written by Tonya Blazio-Licorish and Tara Donaldson, explores the contributions of trailblazing designers like Stephen Burrows and Virgil Abloh, whose philosophy inspired a new generation to interact with fashion differently; pioneering models like Naomi Sims, who in 1969 at age twenty-one launched Naomi Inc., a cosmetics company catering to Black women; and celebrities and multi-hyphenates like Josephine Baker, whose approach to fashion in the 1920s single-handedly changed and challenged the influence of Black culture on a global scale. In-depth profiles on Black creatives throughout the fashion world—and on key topics such as the Black is Beautiful movement—punctuate the lavish pages as well, in addition to original interviews with notables and a foreword from acclaimed American designer Tracy Reese. Black in Fashion is an incomparable celebration of Black fashion from the ultimate voice of authority.
Curated from the expansive archives of the legendary WWD, this visually stunning and groundbreaking work unveils the remarkable legacy of Black trailblazers whose style and vision have left an indelible mark on the fashion industry.Perfect for those looking for fashion books, fashion coffee table books, or Black history books, Black in Fashion is a must-have for fashion and history enthusiasts alike.
WWD (Women's Wear Daily) has brought readers breaking news about the fashion industry, designers, and celebrity trend-setters, as well as extensive coverage of fashion week, since 1910. It is the flagship publication of Fairchild Media, owned by PMC (Penske Media Corporation).
Tonya Blazio-Licorish is an archives editor with PMC Media Archives and a visual culture historian with more than 15 years of experience in creative fields. Her research examines fashion's history as it relates to culture and society. Tonya has contributed articles to WWD, and holds a Master of Arts in Visual Culture: Costume Studies from New York University. She lives in New York.
Tara Donaldson has more than 15 years reporting on the fashion industry, most recently as executive editor of WWD and head of diversity, equity, and inclusion for Fairchild Media. She has covered culture and social impact inclusive to the fashion conversation. She holds a Master of Arts in journalism from Syracuse University’s S.I. New House School of Public Communications. She lives in New York.
