Celebrating our history in style! As I walked down 34th street I stopped in my slushy tracks and blinked wildly against the freezing rain to take in the Macy's windows. I remembered the workers in the windows the day before and the blue painters tape sticking long strips of white paper scribbled with words on the inside of the windows. I didn't take the time to stop to be nosey, because like most New Yorkers I was in a hurry.
Although I was running late, I had to stop this time. I saw huge vintage black & white photographs of "black royalty," Eunice Johnson, the founder of Ebony Fashion Fair with her husband John H. Johnson of Johnson Publishing. My eyes widened as I admired the stunning couture designs of Bill Blass, Vivienne Westwood, Todd Oldham, Nina Ricci and more. Those strips of paper were holding places for inspired quotes by Mrs. Johnson like,
"A woman must have body attitude."
"Fashion, like vintage wine, has its good years."
I was still blinking wildly but this time I was clearing out the tears of pride and appreciation for this amazing tribute to Mrs. Johnson and the Ebony Fashion Fair Shows for black history month. How apprepo! Macy's, who has a store with a tradition of providing great style, is honoring the woman who pioneered a tradition of introducing high fashion and couture to Black America.
Issey Miyake
Enjoy more images from the windows...
Todd Oldham
Pierre Cardin and Tita Rossi
Gianni Calignano and Nina Ricci
Bill Blass, Vivienne Westwood and B. Michael
