We all know that the fashion industry is one of the most underrepresented sectors. The lack of gender and racial diversity has heavily impacted the success stories we’ve seen, both in front of and behind the camera. The importance of Black culture in the fashion industry is indisputable. We can’t help but recall its influence, be it athleisure or ’90s nostalgia. Throughout history, Black people have been the muses behind many of fashion’s most notable trends and are the reason why our favorite trends today have risen so quickly. And we’re not just talking about social media clout or the latest TopShop collaboration selling out.
According to one report, Black purchasing power was $1.3 trillion in 2019 and is projected to grow to $1.8 trillion by 2024, surpassing that of whites. As racial inequality in the workplace eases, the Black dollar will become more powerful. After decades of not speaking to Black people in the fashion industry, designers can finally no longer ignore Black customers.
At a time when many brands are taking belated first steps towards greater diversity and inclusivity, there is also a growing desire to understand the history of Black influence, with American fashion historians like Shelby Ivy Christie taking to their social platforms to reiterate the importance of preserving our culture’s trendsetters and keeping their influence alive.
To keep the momentum going, here are 10 books about Black culture’s influence on fashion through the decades.
Naomi Campbell’s NAOMI
di2ponv0v5otw.cloudfront.net
Beautifully curated around the career of the incomparable Naomi Campbell, this book features photography by the likes of Steve Miesel and Bruce Weber. The collection also features writings by Naomi accompanying some of her most iconic magazine covers, editorials, videos and more.
EBONY: Covering Black America by Lavaille Lovett
Amazon
Not much can be said about Black influence on fashion without a thorough discussion of EBONY magazine, and this collection of essays, photographs, and exclusive contributions paints a vivid picture of the cultural importance of the legendary magazine.
Styling: African American Expressionism from Its Beginnings to the Zoot Suit, by Shane White and Graham White
Amazon
Spanning more than two centuries, the authors of “Stylin'” explore the deep-rooted meanings behind the style choices of the African-American community in the ’50s and ’60s.
Vintage Black Glamour by Nichelle Gaynor
Vintage Black Glamour
Vintage Black Glamour is a beautiful collection of portraits and profiles of important black artists, both world-famous and lesser known, featuring figures ranging from entertainment icons like Diana Ross to pioneering model Ophelia de Voer.
Andre Leon Talley, ALT: Memoirs of Andre Leon Talley
chairish-prod.freetls.fastly.net
Vogue Editor-in-Chief André Leon Talley has been the subject of much speculation for decades, but this self-authored collection of stories breaks all barriers. The style icon delves deep into Vogue’s early days, the challenges of being “one of a kind,” and the inequalities the industry still faces.
Featured image via Shutterstock
From an article on your site
Related articles from around the web
