Hello Elegant Readers,

My hubby surprised me on our anniversary with a trip to Chicago. Yeah, Chi-town!

We went to see The Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Show Exhibition at the Chicago History Museum. The exhibition opened March 16, 2013 will close May 11, 2014 (UPDATED!).If you are in the area please go see it.

The designs are gorgeous.

Image Courtesy of the Chicago History Museum

Quote from Joy Bivins, Exhibition Curator
“We hope visitors will have the impression of attending an exclusive event that was put together just for them where they will be wowed by fantastic garments and a powerful American story,” said Bivins. “We want them to feel what it was like to attend this spectacular event, and learn about Chicago, American and fashion history in the process.”

I must admit I felt like I was going to a red Carpet event when I walked into the exhibit. The stanchions and carpet made me feel like a queen.

Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair

Excerpt from the Chicago History Museum website

“The Ebony Fashion Fair began in 1958, and over the next 50 years the traveling fashion show blossomed into an American institution that raised millions for charity and helped Johnson Publishing Company reach audiences.

Show organizers overcame racial prejudice to bring the pinnacle of Europe’s premier fashion to communities that were eager to see, in real time and space, a new vision of black America that was the hallmark of Ebony and Jet magazines. Eunice Johnson took over as producer and director in 1963, and under her direction, the traveling show took on new heights as she expanded her cachet and power within fashion circles.”

The exhibition has over 60 garments including designers such as St. Laurent, Oscar de la Renta, Pierre Cardin, Pucci, Christian Lacroix and others. Fashion that is flamboyant and ahead of its time. The fashion show was founded by Eunice Johnson of Johnson Publishing company with her husband. It was neat to find out that Ms. Johnson would go into exclusive couture houses and pick garments for her fashion show and received the utmost respect.

The exhibit looks like it came right off of the runway; highlighting some of the most elaborate, intricately detailed couture garments.  In the picture below is a Christian Lacroix ready to wear hooded ensemble, it appeared in Fashion in Love in the Fall/Winter 1998-1999. The garment is made of wool cashmere, synthetic blend thread and fox trim around the hood. I like everything about this outfit, except for me I would have faux fur around the trim of the hood.

Another favorite of mine is the dress in black and metallic by Jean Patou made me look twice. This dress is Haute Couture, fall/winter 1986-1987 in silk satin, synthetic tulle, silk velvet and feathers. It appeared in Fashion Scandal. The hat adds sophistication with flair.

Image Courtesy of the Chicago History Museum

I learned many things about Eunice Johnson and what it took to make this traveling fashion show a success. The models were women of color and it gave inspiration that they can wear those clothes and they can look like that too. Not only did she cross stereotypes; but she made the outfits appeal to women no matter what their size was at the time.  Women over the size of 14 want to cute as well. Celebrate your individuality and personality because no one can do it for you.  You have to stir up the gift inside of you.

Below is an image of one of my favorite designs. This dress is so avante garde that it works in every way, shape, and form. Over the top describes this dress to me, literally leaves your mouth open. The designer of this cocktail dress is Tilmann Grove, Haute couture, fall/winter 2003-2004.  The dress is made of silk chiné-taffeta, horn, plastic  and glass beads, horsehair tubing, and plastic boning. The dress appeared in Living It Up, 2004-2005. The model in the catalog has matching bracelets on each arm

I wonder how comfortable this would be at the dinner table? The dress would be a real conversation piece for sure.

Image courtesy of Chicago History Museum

The garments are beautiful and I learned a lot about Eunice Johnson and her husband. If you have a dream, you can achieve it and inspire others to go that extra mile to achieve their dreams.

I watched an interactive inside of the exhibit and I remember a lady saying that when she went to an Ebony Fashion show she realized that she could look like that the model walking down the runway or better.Women could actually get to visualize themselves wearing these clothes and feeling confident.

Sources:

Chicago History Museum Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair exhibition website

Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair by Chicago History Museum Catalog for the Exhibition