019. Zelda Wynn Valdes: Mermaid Silhouette Master (w/ Tobi Ashiru)

Uncover the fascinating story of Zelda Wynn Valdes, whose mastery of the mermaid silhouette led to her creation of the iconic Playboy Bunny costume, with insights from special guest Tobi Ashiru.

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Check out the original reel / video this podcast was based on: https://www.instagram.com/p/C6EDEMrLDsn/

Sources:

• Dazzling Zelda (Children's Book by Farai Simoyi and Aura Lewis)

About Zelda Wynn Valdes:

Zelda Wynn Valdes (1901 – 2001) is often overlooked in design history even though she was one of the most influential fashion designers known for her hourglass silhouette dresses, and helping popularize the mermaid dress.

In fact, the femininity of her work caught the eye of Hugh Hefner who commissioned her to design the iconic and patented playboy bunny costume in 1960.

But before that, In 1948, Valdes became the first black person to open her own boutique on Broadway in Manhattan.

Zelda’s alluring yet sophisticated dresses were embraced by prominent figures such as Joyce Bryant, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Eartha Kitt, Josephine Baker, Diahann Carroll, Dorothy Dandridge, and Mae West. She even designed Maria Cole’s gown for her wedding to Nat King Cole in 1948.

Zelda continued her impactful career until her passing in 2001, contributing to over 80 ballet productions at the Dance Theatre of Harlem.

She made it her mission to leave the door wide open for all the black women designers following in her footsteps. She led a fashion coalition that was founded with the sole purpose of promoting black designers.

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