A CENTURY OF Black Beauty & Style - African Americans' sense of style, fashion and beauty

Ebony, Sept, 1999 by Lynn Norment

As we stand on the threshold of a new and exciting century, we can look forward to Brothers and Sisters continuing the tradition of charting new paths in beauty and style. While some are destined to be flamboyant trendsetters, others will update classic looks while maintaining personal style and elegance. Overall, Black men and women will march into the new century with a sense of pride and style that is central to who we are as a people.

From the dawn of the century to the sunset of the '90s, Black men and women have deepened the color and changed the rhythm of American beauty and style. At the beginning of the century (opposite page, top), the elegant Ida. B. Wells Barnett, shown in a pioneer natural style, set a new agenda for men and women. Lena Horne, pictured (bottom, opposite page) on EBONY's first color cover in March 1946, was the great Black beauty symbol of the 1940s. Actress Cicely Tyson (far left) was a symbol of the natural beauty revolution of the '60s with a beaded Naomi Campbell (left) became one of the world's leading models in the '90s.

'20s

In the Roaring '20s Black America gave the decade its signature swagger with dance like the Charleston, the Black Bottom and beautiful people like Broadway superstar Florence Mills (top), socialite and patron of the Harlem Renaissance, A'Lelia Walker (left), daughter of Madame C.J. Walker, and heavy-weight champion Jack Johnson, who was a style leader in the ring and out.

'30s

In the Depression years, Etta Moten Barnett (right), Ethel Waters (left) and dancer Bill (Bojangles) Robinson (below) stole the show whether they were on stage or out on the town.

'40s

In the war-torn '40s, Black Americans went to war against racism abroad and at home, but maintained a sense of style in stars like dancer and choreographer Katherine Dunham (above), Hilda Sims, star of the play Anna Lucasta, and the master of music and style, Edward Kennedy (Duke) Ellington.

'50s

In the flamboyant '50s, actress Dorothy Dandridge (top, left) became one of America's great sex symbols. Dorothea Towles (left) became an international model star, and Terri Springer (above) changed perceptions as an Ebony Fashion Fair model.

'60s

Black really became beautiful in the Freedom Movement of the '60s when James Brown proclaimed "Say it Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud" and Aretha Franklin demanded "R-E-S-P-E-C-T." It was also the time of the miniskirt, worn by Ebony Fashion Fair model Harlean Harris (Left), and variations of the Afro hairstyle, worn by Jesse Jackson, Angela Davis and the fashionable gentlemen on EBONY's December 1967 cover.

'70s & '80s

Ebony Fashion Fair, produced and directed by Eunice W. Johnson (above with models), helped change America's perception of Black and White style. Vanessa L. Williams (left) became the first Black Miss America in 1983, and actor Billy Dee Williams (right) was a major male style symbol of the '70s and '80s.

'90s

Among the major symbols of Black beauty and style in the '90s are actress Halle Berry (left) and singer/actress Brandy (above). Singer/songwriter/producer Babyface (top) and five-time Grammy Award-winner Lauryn Hill (right) pioneered in music and style.