By Audrey J. Bernard
The Black fashion community is still furious about an article — “The Esteemed Black Actresses Who Finally Have the Spotlight” – in the New York Times Style Magazine April 13, 2020 issue. The article which featured 6 Black film actresses — Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, Mary J. Blige, Kimberly Elise, Taraji P. Henson, Lynn Whitfield — was written by a Black Writer, Brian Keith Jackson; styled by a Black Stylist Shiona Turini; and photographed by Black Photographers Mickalene Thomas and Racquel Chevremont.
The Black stops there as all the clothes and most of the accessories were by white designers.
For Black fashion designer B Michael of b michael AMERICA Global, the exclusion of Black designers was a smack in the face. “History will show who was on the right side of all the fights in front of us” said Michael. “Whether leaders in the fashion industry, media or celebrities standing up for inclusion for ALL designers.” Michael, who is well-known on Fashion Avenue for his luxurious design collection continues to fight for more access and equity for independent Black American Fashion Designers in the Luxury space, which is a $3 trillion-dollar global industry added, “We can’t demand inclusion and become purveyors of exclusion!” Michael is the first African American designer to dress an Oscar winner, his friend and client, iconic actress Cicely Tyson. “If we expect to see more successful Black Fashion Designers at the helm of their luxury brands we must include and invest in them, as representation matters across the board,” Michael concluded.
11,000 have died in NYC from coronavirus
CAPTION
15-1 Clockwise from left: Taraji P. Henson in a Givenchy dress, $8,130, givenchy.com, Stuart Weitzman shoes, $395, stuartweitzman.com, and her own jewelry. Mary J. Blige in a Giorgio Armani jacket, $5,195, and pants, $1,195, armani.com, Eres bra, $500, eresparis.com, Misho earrings, about $200, mishodesigns.com, Leigh Miller ring, $185, leighmiller.us, and Stuart Weitzman shoes, $395. Angela Bassett in a Victoria Beckham dress, $1,495, Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills, (310) 550-5900, Panconesi earrings, $470, ssense.com, Giuseppe Zanotti shoes, $795, giuseppezanotti.com, and her own bracelet. Lynn Whitfield in a Valentino dress, $5,900, (310) 247-0103, Mateo earrings, $825, mateonewyork.com, and Anita Ko ring, $8,000, anitako.com. Halle Berry in a Louis Vuitton dress, price on request, louisvuitton.com, Tiffany earrings, $6,800, tiffany.com, and Gianvito Rossi shoes, $995, gianvitorossi.com. Kimberly Elise in a Proenza Schouler dress, $1,790, proenzaschouler.com, Mateo earrings, $1,875, Anita Ko ring (right), $8,000, stylist’s own ring (left) and Stuart Weitzman shoes, $395.
