It was 55 years ago that, overcoming a great deal of adversity, Eunice Johnson began her infamous Ebony Fashion Fair: a travelling show featuring African American models in designer clothing by world-renowned talent such as Oscar de la Renta, Christian Dior, and Yves Saint Laurent. This event was not only remarkable due to its scope and the talent involved, but this served as yet another step towards ending oppression: involving the African American population in an aspect of mainstream culture traditionally unreachable to them.
To celebrate this momentous event, the Chicago History Museum is hosting “Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair” now through January 5, 2014. And, wishing to give some special attention to truly bright aspect of Chicago’s past, the museum gave Bloomingdale Signs By Tomorrow a call to see if we could shine some light on it.
And boy, did we…
