African civilizations have been well acquainted with luxury before what we know as the modern fashion industry today. In this episode, Taniqua discusses luxury fashion in early Black/African civilizations such as the Kush Empire. Sources/Further Reading: www.blackfashionhistory.com

Black Fashion History

Ep. 33 | Luxury Fashion in Early Black African Civilizations

Professor Adrienne Jones holds the honor of being the first Black woman to achieve tenured professor status at  Pratt Institute. Jones has taught in the  Fashion Design department at Pratt for over 25 years. In 2014, Professor Jones conceived and co-curated the landmark exhibition  Black Dress, which honors Black designers and addresses the lack of diversity in the fashion industry. The exhibition was an unprecedented endeavor to coalesce a diverse array of contemporary design styles that inform and educate the New York fashion community, as well as new audiences, on the commemorative work of Black designers. The exhibition was highly publicized and featured in Elle, W,  Huffington Post, and many other news outlets. Listen to her story.  Follow us on IG: @blackfashionhistorypodcast @taniquarudell  And if you haven't done so already, please take a moment to rate and review the show. We love hearing your feedback! Guest Social Media Info Black Dress Exhibit: http://www.blackdressexhibit.com/  IG: https://www.instagram.com/blackdresstheexhibit/ #BlackFashionHistory

Ep. 40 | Fighting for Equality in Fashion and Academia with Adrienne Jones

Tony Dennis, co-founder of Tote&Carry, is affectionately known as “The Stitch Doctor” or “Stitch” for his decades-long career “stitching” custom, quality fashion pieces for high profile clients. The popular designer, who stitched his first items using a worn-out sewing machine in his basement in 1992, has amassed nearly 30 years of experience. With a strong background and humble beginnings under his belt, the clothing guru transformed his basement into the workspace where he hand-crafted custom pieces for clients and later launched No Names Designs. Further cementing his work in the industry, Dennis re-invented himself and became a highly sought-after designer and stylist. He has since worked with GQ Magazine, Netflix, Tyler Perry Studios, BYU TV and Swirl Network TV. Stitch has also worked with stars and professional athletes including Shaquille O'Neal, Michael B. Jordan, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Big Ben Roethlisberger, Vivica A. Fox, Young Jeezy, Future, Rick Ross, Waka Flocka, Keyshia Cole, Jada Pinkett Smith, Janet Jackson and producer Drumma Boy. Listen to his story.  Join our email list to receive exclusive notes and updates by texting your name and email to (864) 539 -2284 Email us: theblackfashioncloset@gmail.com Follow us: @blackfashionhistorypodcast @taniquarudell  And if you haven't done so already, please take a moment to subscribe, rate and review the show. We love hearing your feedback! Guest Social Media Info Tony Dennis  Tote&Carry https://www.totencarry.com/ https://www.nonamesdesigns.org/ #BlackFashionHistory

Ep. 39 | Becoming "The Stitch Doctor" with Tony Dennis

Ep. 38 | Givenchy's Black Cabine : Carol Collins-Miles

Beau McCall is a creative artist most known for his use of buttons. Drawing inspiration from the vast button collection of his mother and aunts, he crafts wearable and visual art images combining various types of buttons. McCall uses his art to communicate themes from pop culture to social justice. Taniqua speaks with Beau McCall about some of his work and career in fashion and art.    Listen to his story.   Connect with Beau McCall: http://beaumccall.com/ https://www.instagram.com/beau_mccall/ https://www.facebook.com/beaumccallart https://www.etsy.com/shop/tripletshirtsshop/  

Ep. 37 | Connecting the World One Button at a Time with Wearable Artist Beau McCall

Coreen Simpson began her career as a photojournalist and became one of a handful of female photographers on regular assignment covering the Fashion Collections in Paris and New York.  Her images have appeared in Vogue, Essence, Ms. Magazine, Paris Match, The New York Times, The Village Voice and numerous books and periodicals. She began designing and creating one of a kind jewelry in 1982 and quickly became known for her signature piece, THE BLACK CAMEO® Listen to her story.  Sources: https://www.theblackcameocollection.com/

Ep. 36 | Creating the First Modern Black Cameo with Photographer and Jewelry Designer Coreen Simpson Part II

Coreen Simpson began her career as a photojournalist and became one of a handful of female photographers on regular assignment covering the Fashion Collections in Paris and New York.  Her images have appeared in Vogue, Essence, Ms. Magazine, Paris Match, The New York Times, The Village Voice and numerous books and periodicals. She began designing and creating one of a kind jewelry in 1982 and quickly became known for her signature piece, THE BLACK CAMEO® Listen to her story.  Sources: https://www.theblackcameocollection.com/

Ep. 35 | Creating the First Modern Black Cameo with Photographer and Jewelry Designer Coreen Simpson

Ep. 34 | Fashion Sketch Artist and Designer James Daugherty

Sources/Further Reading: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/05/business/amsale-aberra-dies.html https://fashionweekdaily.com/bridal-amsale-aberra-died/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x44SUJz4ggw  

Ep. 32 | The Inventor of the Modern Wedding Dress: Amsale Aberra

Wax Print/Ankara in Luxury Fashion

Chris Seydou is known for his pioneering design work with the traditional Malian textile bogolan, also known as the mud cloth. He is referred to as the "Father of African Fashion" and inspired the concept of African couture. Listen to his story. More at www.blackfashionhistory.com Sources/Further Reading: https://www.instagram.com/africanstylearchive/ https://www.protochic.com/stories/2017/2/24/fashion-history-minor-malis-master-couturier-chris-seydou https://fashion-history.lovetoknow.com/fashion-clothing-industry/fashion-designers/chris-seydou  

Ep. 30 | The Father of African Fashion Design: Chris Seydou

Sean John was founded in 1998 by Sean "P. Diddy, Puff Daddy, Brother Love" Combs and has maintained its relevance into 2020. With the launch of the brand's first-ever womenswear collection debuting on September 29, Taniqua discusses how Sean John changed the face of streetwear and disrupted the fashion industry in the best way possible.  Sources/ Further Reading: "They laughed when Diddy launched a fashion line. Then he changed the industry." The Washington Post. "Sean John at 20: Sean Combs on Longevity and Making a Difference." WWD. "The Rise of Sean John: A Landmark, A Label That Continues to Impact." The Fashion Law. "The Impact of Sean "Diddy" Combs' Brand, Sean John." The Another Man.

Ep. 29 | The History and Impact of Sean John

Elaine "Jae" Jarell is an artist, fashion designer and one of the co-founders of the African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists (AFRICOBRA) best known for her one-of-a-kind pieces during the Black Arts Movement. She used her designs to celebrate Black culture and provide positive imagery of and for African Americans. Listen to her story. More at www.blackfashionhistory.com. Sources/Further Reading: Image Magazine, April 1978 Edition http://agyu.art/project/jae-jarrell-2/ https://www.mocacleveland.org/jae-jarrell https://never-the-same.org/interviews/wadsworth-and-jae-jarrell/ https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/exhibitions/3300 http://agyu.art/project/jae-jarrell/ https://crystalbridges.org/blog/soul-of-a-nation-jae-and-wadsworth-jarrell-partners-in-life-and-art/ https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/210701 Join our email list to receive exclusive notes and updates by texting your name and email to (864) 539 -2284 Email us: theblackfashioncloset@gmail.com Follow us: @blackfashionhistorypodcast @taniquaruss  And if you haven't done so already, please take a moment to rate and review the show. We love hearing your feedback! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/black-fashion-history/message

Ep. 28 | Fashion as Wearable Art: Jae Jarrell

Lois Alexander Lane dedicated her life’s work to highlight the role of African Americans in fashion since the beginning of the 19th Century. She created the Black Fashion Museum which housed the largest and rarest Black fashion collection of all time. Listen to her story.  Sources/Further Reading:  https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/21/AR2010052101654_3.html?sid=ST2010052101774 https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/stories/celebrating-fashion-icon-lois-k-alexander-lane https://www.harlemworldmagazine.com/the-harlem-black-fashion-museum-founded-by-ms-lois-alexander-lane/ https://artsandculture.google.com/entity/lois-k-alexander-lane/g11cmdh75_3?hl=en https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/26/AR2007102602221.html http://harlembespoke.blogspot.com/2010/04/walk-harlems-forgotten-fashion.html https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/manhattan/harlem-week-history-style-article-1.1417365 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/black-fashion-history/message

Ep. 27 | The Creator of the Black Fashion Museum: Lois Alexander Lane

In this episode, Taniqu discusses how Black women have been the muses for luxury designers and how Black women have increased the popularity and desirability of luxury fashion throughout history. More at https://www.blackfashionhistory.com/ Sources/Further Reading: https://garage.vice.com/en_us/article/qvqde3/lil-kim-louis-vuitton-david-lachapelle https://www.anothermag.com/fashion-beauty/10129/john-galliano-and-foxy-brown-the-1990s-most-fabulous-muse https://bricksmagazine.co.uk/2020/06/29/black-culture-in-fashion-a-brief-history-of-trends-that-originated-from-black-communities/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/black-fashion-history/message

Ep. 26 | The History of Black Women in Luxury Fashion

A fashion history podcast presented by Black Fashion Closet celebrating the contributions of black people around the world to the luxury fashion industry. It's black history, but make it fashion! Hosted by Taniqua Russ.