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To contribute to this collective history project, send pictures and stories about the older women in your life to americanagefashion@gmail.com. The more information you can include (date, place, etc.), the better.-
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Tag Archives: African American
Easter Bonnet Luncheon, 1961
This photo comes from a very large archive of work by Charles “Teenie” Harris, housed at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburg. Harris was a staff photographer for the Pittsburgh Courier, a major African American newspaper in the mid … Continue reading
Posted in 1960s
Tagged African American, hats/headcoverings, holidays, Pennsylvania, women's organizations
2 Comments
Aminah Robinson–Life into Art
This stunning piece is a good introduction into the work of Columbus, Ohio artist Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson (1940-2015). Using the materials of daily life—paper, pencils, fabric, trim, and buttons, she creates stunning compositions. The mixed media creation above serves … Continue reading
Summer at Martha’s Vineyard, 1950s
It is the wrong season for this picture, but I couldn’t resist since it contains some of my favorite elements—the many kinds of pants and shorts worn in the 1950s and a stark generational contrast between the old and young. … Continue reading
Posted in 1940s, 1950s
Tagged African American, generations, Massachusetts, pants, shoes, sportswear
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Mae Reeves, Queen of Hats
You might know the names of famous black fashion designers—Ann Lowe is having a moment on sewing sites right now. But how about black milliners? One the biggest names in that field is Mae Reeves (1912-2016), who ran an extremely … Continue reading
Posted in 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990
Tagged African American, hats/headcoverings, Pennsylvania
1 Comment
Mary B. Talbert, Feminist Icon
Why isn’t Mary B. Talbert (1866-1923) better known? I discovered her through a feature on black women suffragists at the Digital Public Library of America. However, suffrage was just one of her causes. She was involved in the anti lynching … Continue reading
Posted in 1910s, 1920s
Tagged African American, lace, New York, shoes, women's organizations
1 Comment
An NAACP Meeting in Los Angeles, 1949
If we didn’t have the title, “NAACP [National Association for the Advancement of Colored People], Los Angeles, 1949,” it would be hard to guess the context of the photo. This looks to be an organizational event taking place in the … Continue reading
Posted in 1940s, General
Tagged African American, California, hats/headcoverings, New Look
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Portrait of a Woman with Butterfly
In honor of Black History Month, I’ve been searching for collections of photographs of African Americans that might include older women. One rich source I discovered is the private collection of Mike Cochran, given to the Portal of Texas History. … Continue reading
Kamala Harris, Plain and Fancy
By now you have probably heard about the dust up over Vogue’s February issue featuring Kamala Harris on the cover. According to Vogue, both photos, shot by African American photographer Tyler Mitchell, were approved for publication. The more casual look … Continue reading
Funny Hats on New Year’s Eve, 1970
I wish I had a funny hat and a collection of friends to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Given my love of champagne, or similar bubbly beverages, it is a favorite holiday of mine. At this party, sponsored by music mogul … Continue reading
Getting Out the Vote, 1956
The current election has reminded us once again that African American women are the bedrock of the Democratic Party. They also did a lot of the hard work of turning California from red (as it was when I was growing … Continue reading
Posted in 1950s
Tagged African American, California, resources, sheath dress, shirtwaist, shoes
1 Comment