Black Women are the Blueprint: Four Black Women who Birthed Modern Fashion
Black women are the trailblazers of modern-day fashion and culture.
For the past century, Black culture has arguably shaped all aspects of fashion, style, and beauty. From Donyale Luna to Rihanna, Black women have had an immeasurable influence on how we view fashion today. Starting with the 20th century, here are some of the most influential Black women in fashion.
Donyale Luna and Runway Fashion
Donyale Luna is considered to be one of the first Black supermodels and the first Black women to grace the cover of Vogue. Her career kicked off at the start of a cultural revolution in the ‘swinging 60s,’ during which she became a symbolic figure. Through the 60s, she became one of the most in-demand supermodels of her time. Luna was one of the first models to bring her personality out on the runway. She was widely known for her powerful walk and strong eyes. Her runway walk gave birth to a new era of runway fashion, with a stronger focus on the model’s physique and walk rather than her clothes alone. Certainly, Donyale Luna’s influence is prevalent in fashion today.
The Glamorous Diana Ross
Diana Ross is arguably one of the most influential style icons of all time. The pop superstar has transformed fashion in the 1960s by popularizing luxurious and glamorous red carpet looks. Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Ross quickly rose to fame after becoming the lead singer of The Supremes, undoubtedly one of the most successful pop female groups of all time. Her performance costumes often dazzled with sequins, embellishments, and big furs, which became her signature look. Today we see many artists inspired by this glamorous “Hollywood” look that is heavily influenced by Diana Ross. Not only is Ross legendary for her performance outfits, but she also had a far-more reaching influence on makeup. Ross was known for her full lashes and bold eye makeup that set the tone for beauty and glamour in the 1960s and 1970s. Her makeup and style can still be seen on some of our biggest performers today, including Solange and Jennifer Lopez.
The Princess of R&B
There is no doubt that Aaliyah became an iconic figure in fashion and music even long after her tragic death. During the 1990s, Aaliyah became a prominent figure in the music industry while also heavily influencing the fashion industry. She was a trailblazer when it came to street-style; in fact, many of the trends we see circling back today are the very same trends that Aaliyah popularized in the 90s. Her famous Tommy Hilfiger campaign is timeless, setting the street-style trends for more than a decade. Today we see one of the biggest supermodels, Gigi Hadid, take inspiration from Aaliyah for her own Tommy Hilfiger collaboration.
Rihanna & Savage X Fenty
Rihanna has made history with the 2019 Savage X Fenty fashion show that empowered and embraced women of all backgrounds and sizes. Rihanna rose to fame as a singer and slowly turned into a powerful businesswoman and a leading figure in fashion and beauty. Shortly after the launch of her lingerie collection, Rihanna took over Fashion Week with the Savage X Fenty show. She transformed runway shows by adding incredible performances that showcased beauty and inclusivity. Everything about this fashion show, from the diverse cast of models to the stage and performers, was one-of-a-kind.
The influence that Black women have had on fashion is immense but often goes unnoticed. For the last century, Black women have been trendsetters in everything from hair and beauty to street-style and continue to carry the fashion world on their backs to this day.
