Today In Black History
Zelda Wynn Valdes, Innovative Fashion Designer to the Stars
Issue #526 Today In Black History, Friday, March 8, 2024
Today’s Black History WOW!
Zelda Wynn Valdes was a pioneering African American fashion designer who was born on June 28, 1905, in Virginia. Valdes was known for her glamorous designs and innovative approach to style. She started her career in the 1940s and quickly gained recognition for her talent and creativity, making a lasting impact on the world of fashion.
Valdes was the first Black designer to open her own boutique, which she called "Chez Zelda," in New York City in 1948. She became especially well-known for creating curve-enhancing designs that highlighted the natural beauty of the female figure. Her clients included some of the biggest names in Hollywood, such as Dorothy Dandridge, Josephine Baker, and Lena Horne.
One of Valdes' most iconic creations was the Playboy Bunny costume, which she designed for the opening of the first Playboy Club in 1960. The outfit featured a strapless corset, high-cut satin briefs, and bunny ears, and became synonymous with the glamour and sophistication of the Playboy brand.
Zelda Wynn Valdes passed away on September 26, 2001, but her designs continue to inspire contemporary designers, and her legacy lives on in the work of those who continue to push boundaries and challenge norms in the fashion industry.
Today In Black History
- In 1876, the United States Senate refused to seat Black Senator P.B.S. Pinchback, who was elected Senator from Louisiana in 1873.
- In 1945, Phyllis Mae Dailey was the first Black nurse to be appointed as an ensign to the Navy Nurses Corps.
- In 1964, Minister Malcolm X resigned from the Nation of Islam.
- In 1977, Henry L. Marsh III was elected the first Black mayor of Richmond, Virginia.
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