Josephine Baker!
If you haven't heard about this woman, you will now. She is a force to be reckoned with to say the least. She was an actress, singer, dancer, humanitarian, civil rights activist, etc. She did so many things in her lifetime that made her extraordinary. Today though we are going to focus on her incredible fashion.
Josephine in her famous Banana Dance costume
She came from the slums of St. Louis, Missouri but at a young age she dreamed of doing something better with her life. She performed in the most famous clubs in Harlem, New York but was not as well received in the white clubs so she sought out somewhere where she would be respected by everyone, Paris. Paris during the 1920's was more progressive and more open minded to the arts.
Miss Baker in a gorgeous showgirl costume
In Paris she performed in several shows, most famously in the Folies Bergere in skimpy costumes (or even nothing at all...got to give her props). She served as a muse to many people, including Ernest Hemingway, Christian Dior, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Christian Dior, Pablo Picasso...well the list goes on and on.
Nicknamed the Black Venus...you can see why she was everyone's muse
She would get hundreds of marriage proposals, from the high and mighty to regular fans. She did marry four times, and adopted 12 children from different parts of the world as a way to combat racism and inequality.
She was in many shows, several movies and hundreds of photographs; she kept on performing until the day she died.
Here she is with her pet cheetah, Chiquita
During World War II, Josephine would spy for the French and received high honors for her efforts. During the 1960's, she would help with the Civil Rights Movement in America and spoke in Washington D.C. with many known civil rights activists. She always fought against inequality, something she could not do as a child in St. Louis.
Her style was just a tiny bit of what made up this beautiful and wonderful enigma.
Wishing these pictures were in color...
Well here's a bit of color
Okay another colored poster...so gorgeous!
She influenced many fashion designers since the 1920's...here's a modern set with Josephine all over the print...
Josephine Baker, among other things, was without a doubt one the most fashionable women of the 20th century. To this day, she continues to inspire artists, from burlesque performers to fashion designers (like me!) She truly was, and continues to be, a muse.
Stay fashionable kids.
-Daniela
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