Inspiring Beauty
May 20, 2016 - August 14, 2016
Inspiring Beauty
50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair
50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair
Inspiring Beauty, the first ever exhibition on the Ebony Fashion Fair, explores the 50-year history of the fashion spectacle that redefined concepts of beauty, style, and empowerment for African Americans. The exhibition also profiles the Fair's visionary director and producer, Eunice W. Johnson, co-founder of Johnson Publishing Company and publisher of Ebony and Jet magazines. The garments, accessories, photographs, videos, and ephemera that make up the exhibition convey the story of Johnson's ability to defeat racist attitudes while gaining access to many of Europe's premier fashion houses, revolutionizing the relationship between African Americans and the fashion establishment.
Among the approximately 40 statement designs on view are stunning gowns, feathered coats, and sensational hats by icons of fashion including Stephen Burrows, Christian Dior, Givenchy, Christian Lacroix, Yves Saint Laurent, Missoni, Nina Ricci, Sarli, Emanuel Ungaro, and Vivienne Westwood among others. The ensembles, displayed on stylized mannequins, recreate the way audiences were introduced to these fashion-forward designs on the catwalk. The exhibition offers an unforgettable experience to visitors who never had the opportunity to attend Ebony Fashion Fair, and illustrates themes of vision, innovation, and power as exemplified by Johnson's entrepreneurial spirit, flair for fashion, and philanthropy.
Teens in Fashion Intensive
Check out the final looks from our Teens in Fashion Intensive program—hosted in partnership with Cornish College of the Arts and the Northwest African American Museum. Program review and lookbook
Exhibition Credit & Sponsors
Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair was developed by the Chicago History Museum in cooperation with Johnson Publishing Company, LLC, presented by the Costume Council of the Chicago History Museum, and toured by International Arts & Artists, Washington, DC. The local presentation of this exhibition is curated by Stefano Catalani and sponsored by Nordstrom.
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