Black Fashion History

Ep. 72: How Rafael Gomes Curated André Leon Talley's Legacy for a New Generation

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, host Taniqua Martin sits down with Rafael Brauer Gomes, Director of Fashion Exhibitions at SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film, to exp...

Ep. 71: Deborah Riley-Draper on Versailles '73 and the Global Impact of Black Beauty in Fashion History

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this special episode, we honor the 51st anniversary of the Battle of Versailles, a groundbreaking moment in Black fashion history that took place o...

Ep. 70: Crafting Heritage: The Brew-Hammond Sisters on Exit 14, Batakari Fabric, and Redefining Luxury

14 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Taniqua Martin sits down with the dynamic sisters Essie Brew-Hammond and Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond, founders of the luxury brand Exit 14...

Ep. 69: The Rise of African-Inspired Fashion: A Conversation with Suakoko Betty's Charlene Dunbar

07 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Black Fashion History, host Taniqua Martin sits down with Charlene Dunbar, the brilliant mind behind Suakoko Betty! From engineerin...

Ep. 68 Amplifying Basotho Style History with Ntebo Lepheana

01 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Taniqua Martin chats with fashion professor Ntebo Lepheana to explore the rich traditions and style history of the Basotho people. Nt...

Ep. 67: Amplifying African Fashion & Correcting the Narrative with Elvis Kachi

24 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Black Fashion History, host Taniqua Martin sits down with fashion journalist Elvis Kachi to explore his journey into the fashion in...

Ep. 66: Decolonizing Fashion: Shifting Power and Challenging Norms with Beatrace Angut Oola

17 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Black Fashion History, Taniqua Martin dives into a powerful conversation with Beatrace Angut Oola, the visionary founder of Fashion...

Ep. 65: Diversity in African Fashion with Jacqueline Brown

03 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dive into the world of African fashion with Jacqueline Brown in this episode of the Black Fashion History Podcast! From her British-Jamaican roots to ...

Ep. 64: Preserving the Rich Legacy of African Style History with Tosin Adeosun

26 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Taniqua Martin interviews Tosin Adeosun, the brilliant mind behind the African Style Archive!  Discover Tosin's own style journey, h...

Ep. 63: The Evolution of African Fashion: Past, Present and Future with Ken Kweku Nimo

19 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Black Fashion History, Taniqua Martin sits down with Ken Kweku Nimo, an author and expert in African fashion and material cultu...

Black History Month Special : Interview with Linda Ann Dixon, the Great Granddaughter of Ann Lowe

29 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this special Black History Month episode, Taniqua speaks with Linda Ann Dixon about the legacy of her great grandmother Ann Lowe.

Ep. 61: How Dorothea Towles Church Became the First Black Woman to Model for Major European Fashion Houses

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dorothea Towles Church spent over five years in Europe during the 1950s, modeling for designers like Christian Dior, Elsa Schiaparelli, Robert Piguet,...

Ep. 60: "Donyale Luna: Supermodel" - HBO Max Documentary Recap

21 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Donyale Luna is the first Black supermodel to appear on a Vogue magazine cover, yet not much is known about her as a barrier breaking model. Taniqua r...

Ep. 59: How Rosemary E. Miller Reed Became the Only Black Woman Boutique Owners in DC in 1966

14 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In 1966, Rosemary E. Reed-Miller followed her interest in fashion and opened Toast and Strawberries,a boutique overlooking Dupont Circle. When Toast a...

Ep. 58: How Audrey Weaver's Career Blossomed as a Scarf and Technical Designer

07 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Audrey Weaver is a designer that creates hand-crafted artisan scarves and hats & accessories located in the New York City area. Over the past years, ...

Ep. 57: The History and Impact of Fashion Shows in the Black American Community

24 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Fashion shows have a deep rooted history in Black American culture. While we didn't invent fashion shows, we have surely used them to celebrate our be...

Ep. 56: [NEW SEASON] Behind the Scenes of Winterthur Museum's "Ann Lowe: American Couturier" Exhibit with Elizabeth Way and Alexandra Deutsch

17 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Many people know Ann Lowe as the designer of gowns for America's most prominent society women, including Jacqueline Kennedy. Winterthur Museum is mark...

Ep. 55: Gettin' Free! : A Juneteenth Collaboration of Your Favorite Black Podcasts

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Gettin' Free! : A Juneteenth Collaboration brought to you by Sistas Who Kill: A True Crime Podcast. We know that history is told from the side of the ...

Ep. 54 | How Winifred Mason Chenet Became the First Black Commercial Jeweler in the US

23 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Not many people can claim being one of the great artists of the Harlen Renaissance, personal jeweler of Billie Holiday and the first Black woman to ta...

Ep. 53 | 3 Streetwear Brands that Shaped Hip Hop

10 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With 2023 being the 50th anniversary year for hip hop, it was only right to begin the year with an appreciation for hip hop fashion. Taniqua highlight...

Ep. 52 | How Fashion Designer Ann Moore Built a 20 Year Long Career in the 1950s

26 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Taniqua delves a little further into Atlanta Fashion History sharing the career of designer and couturier Ann Jewel Moore and her fam...

Ep. 51 | Two Georgia-Born Milliners You've Probably Never Heard Of

12 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Taniqua delves into Atlanta Fashion History and shares the lives and careers of Lilian B. Head and Mae Reeves, two Georgia-born Black...

Ep. 50 | How the SAPES of the Congo and Other Diaspora Subcultures Reinvented Dandyism

29 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dandyism or the dandy style is defined as a man who pays great attention to fashion and overall appearance. The modern practice of this style first ap...

Ep. 49 | How Black Models Changed the Fashion Industry

18 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Models like Donyale Luna, Pat Cleveland, Beverly Johnson and more paved the way for models today. In episode 49 of #BlackFashionHistory, Taniqua discu...

Ep. 48 | How Yahne Sangare Became Africa's Famous Model

16 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Liberian model Yahne Sangare covered the June 1967 issue of Jet magazine where she was named "Africa's Famous Model." In episode 48 of #BlackFashionHi...

Ep. 47 | The Night Fashion Ate Chitlins

02 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In episode 47 of #BlackFashionHistory, Taniqua discusses the Basic Black fashion show of 1969 and its impact on fashion history. Follow us on IG: @bla...

Ep. 46 | Therez Fleetwood, The Queen of Afrocentric Design

22 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Originally from Boston, MA where she got her start in fashion, Therez started designing clothes at the age of 12 and sold her first dress on the famed...

Ep. 45 | How Designer Cassandra Bromfield Broke into the Fashion Industry

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cassandra Bromfield began her fashion career in the 1980's. Simultaneously working for herself, Ms. Bromfield also worked freelance for a number of ye...

Ep. 44 | The King of Chic with Menswear Designer Shaka King

06 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Shaka King has made a strong impression in the fashion industry since 1991. He's designed for countless athletes, artists and more. He has been praise...

Ep. 43 | Creator of the Crush Cap, Milliner Lisa McFadden

09 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Lisa McFadden is a New York City designer with over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry. She was critiqued by French couturier Pierre Cardi...

Ep. 42 | The Industry's Best Kept Secret with Designer Douglas Says

11 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With over two decades of experience in the fashion and beauty industry, New Jersey native Douglas Says is often referred to as "one of the most import...

Ep. 41 | 4 Vintage Black Magazines You Never Heard of But Need to Know

04 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tainqua discusses four (4) vintage Black magazines that provided fashion and style inspiration from the 1950's to the 2000s.  Follow us on IG: @black...

Ep. 40 | Fighting for Equality in Fashion and Academia with Adrienne Jones

04 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Adrienne Jones holds the honor of being the first Black woman to achieve tenured professor status at  Pratt Institute. Jones has taught in ...

Ep. 39 | Becoming "The Stitch Doctor" with Tony Dennis

02 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tony Dennis, co-founder of Tote&Carry, is affectionately known as "The Stitch Doctor" or "Stitch" for his decades-long career "stitching" custom, qual...

Ep. 38 | Givenchy's Black Cabine: Carol Collins-Miles

12 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Carol Collins Miles is a supermodel, musician and restaurateur. She is one of the original members of Hubert de Givenchy's all Black Cabine in the 197...

Ep. 37 | Connecting the World One Button at a Time with Wearable Artist Beau McCall

25 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Beau McCall is a creative artist most known for his use of buttons. Drawing inspiration from the vast button collection of his mother and aunts, he cr...

Ep. 36 | Creating the First Modern Black Cameo with Photographer and Jewelry Designer Coreen Simpson Part II

12 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Coreen Simpson began her career as a photojournalist and became one of a handful of female photographers on regular assignment covering the Fashion C...

Ep. 35 | Creating the First Modern Black Cameo with Photographer and Jewelry Designer Coreen Simpson

28 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Coreen Simpson began her career as a photojournalist and became one of a handful of female photographers on regular assignment covering the Fashion Co...

Ep. 34 | Fashion Sketch Artist and Designer James Daugherty

14 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. 33 | Luxury Fashion in Early Black African Civilizations

07 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

African civilizations have been well acquainted with luxury before what we know as the modern fashion industry today. In this episode, Taniqua discuss...

Ep. 32 | The Inventor of the Modern Wedding Dress: Amsale Aberra

22 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sources/Further Reading: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/05/business/amsale-aberra-dies.html https://fashionweekdaily.com/bridal-amsale-aberra-died/ ...

Ep. 31 | Wax Print/Ankara in Luxury Fashion

08 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. 30 | The Father of African Fashion Design: Chris Seydou

01 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Seydou is known for his pioneering design work with the traditional Malian textile bogolan, also known as the mud cloth. He is referred to as th...

Ep. 29 | The History and Impact of Sean John

24 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sean John was founded in 1998 by Sean "P. Diddy, Puff Daddy, Brother Love" Combs and has maintained its relevance into 2020. With the launch of the br...

Ep. 28 | Fashion as Wearable Art: Jae Jarrell

10 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Elaine "Jae" Jarell is an artist, fashion designer and one of the co-founders of the African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists (AFRICOBRA) best known fo...

Ep. 27 | The Creator of the Black Fashion Museum: Lois Alexander Lane

27 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Lois Alexander Lane dedicated her life's work to highlight the role of African Americans in fashion since the beginning of the 19th Century. She creat...

Ep. 26 | The History of Black Women in Luxury Fashion

20 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Taniqu discusses how Black women have been the muses for luxury designers and how Black women have increased the popularity and desir...

Ep. 25 | The First Black Woman to Grace the Cover of a Fashion Magazine - Katiti Kironde

13 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Taniqua discusses how Katiti Kironde became the first Black woman to be on the cover of a mainstream fashion magazine (Glamour). More...

Ep. 24 | The Remix: Hip Hop x Fashion Review

30 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Taniqua reviews the Netflix documentary The Remix: Hip Hop x Fashion and discusses the state of Black brands and influencers in the f...

BlackFashionHistory.com is Here!

07 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Download educational resources and show notes now at https://www.blackfashionhistory.com/. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/black-fashio...

Ep. 23 | The Role of Fashion in Movements for Justice

11 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Taniqua discusses how business formal attire and denim were used in the 1960s to highlight racism injustice, sexism and classism duri...

Ep. 22 | Protecting Your Fashion Brand and Legacy with Jaleesa Johnson

21 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jaleesa Johnson Website: https://alienindaroom.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alienindaroom/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR9T...

Ep. 21 | Creating Characters with "A Different World" and "Living Single" Costume Designer Ceci

14 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Costumer Ceci discusses her experience working on iconic shows like A Different World and Living Single and what true diversity looks like.  About Ce...

Ep. 20 | Sustainable Style and Communities of Color with Dominique Drakeford

22 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

https://www.dominiquedrakeford.com/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in ...

Ep. 19 | BlackNFashion with Lenese Calleea

16 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Lenese Calleea https://www.instagram.com/lenesecalleea/ https://www.instagram.com/lc_apparelconsulting/ https://www.instagram.com/blacknfashionpodcast...

Ep. 18 | Made in Africa with Jacqueline Shaw

02 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Taniqua chats with Jacqueline Shaw about the importance of building sustainable fashion businesses that manufacture in an African country. Jacqueline ...

Ep. 17 | Nigeria's First Fashion Designer - Victoria Folashade Thomas-Fahm

19 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Victoria Folashade Thomas-Fahm --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voi...

Ep. 16 | Jay Jaxon: 40 Years of Fashion Design Brilliance with designer, curator and fashion historian Rachel Fenderson Part II

12 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

* Apologies for the audio in this episode.  Taniqua continues her conversation with Rachel Fenderson about the life and career of Jay Jaxon. The ladi...

Ep. 15 | Jay Jaxon: 40 Years of Fashion Design Brilliance with designer, curator and fashion historian Rachel Fenderson Part I

05 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Taniqua chats with Rachel Fenderson, fashion designer, curator, historian and lead authority on Jay Jaxon, about the life and career of designer Jay J...

Ep. 14 | Representation in Fashion, Arts and Education: The Career of Dr. Aziza Braithwaite Bey

20 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Learn more about Dr. Bey: https://cultureandnurturance.wordpress.com/about/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podc...

Ep. 13 | The Grandassa Models: Ambassadors of the Black is Beautiful Movement with Cinque Brathwaite - Part II

06 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Taniqua continues the conversation with Cinque Brathwaite, the co-founder and president of the Elombe Brath Foundation. Cinque talks about how the Afr...

Ep. 12 | The Grandassa Models: Ambassadors of the Black is Beautiful Movement with Cinque Brathwaite - Part I

30 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In the season premiere, Taniqua chats with Cinque Brathwaite, the co-founder and president of the Elombe Brath Foundation. Cinque talks about how the ...

Ep. 11 | Year End Wrap Up with Gabby Layne of The Strut Magazine - Season Finale

13 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In the final episode of the season, Taniqua chats with Gabby Layne, creator and Editor in Chief of the Strut Magazine, an independent magazine dedicat...

Ep. 10 | Fluff Chance - Eric Gaskins

05 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of #BlackFashionHistory, Taniqua discusses the career of African-American designer and fashion blogger/commentator Eric Gaskins. Join...

Ep. 9 | Triple Threat: Illustrator, Photojournalist & Designer - Alvin Bell

21 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of #BlackFashionHistory, Taniqua discusses the career of African-American fashion illustrator, designer and photojournalist Alvin Bell...

Ep. 8 | Harlem Fashionista - Ruby Bailey

14 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ruby Bailey was a Harlem fashionista and designer that did NOT get the recognition she deserved. In this episode of #BlackFashionHistory, Taniqua dis...

Ep. 7 | The Grandfather of Black Designers - Arthur McGee

07 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of #BlackFashionHistory, Taniqua discusses why Arthur McGee is known as the "grandfather of black designers." Join our email list to r...

Ep. 6 | The Most Successful Black Designer in America - Willi Smith

31 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of #BlackFashionHistory, Taniqua discusses the most successful black designer in America, Willi Smith. Spotlight: Lindsay Peoples Wagn...

Ep. 5 | Milliner to the Stars - Mildred Blount

24 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of #BlackFashionHistory, Taniqua discusses how Mildred Blount, the ladies' hat maker behind the pieces in "Gone with the Wind," rose t...

Ep. 4 | The King of the Jersey - Scott Barrie

17 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of #BlackFashionHistory, Taniqua discusses how Scott Barrie became known as the man who made the jersey matte dress.  Spotlight: The ...

Ep. 3 | The Leading Modernist Jeweler of All Time - Art Smith

10 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of #BlackFashionHistory, Taniqua discusses how Arthur George "Art" Smith overcame racism to make his mark in fashion and art. Sources/...

Ep. 2 | The Fit Queen - Zelda Wynn Valdes

03 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of #BlackFashionHistory, we breakdown how Zelda Wynn Valdes rose to fame, her signature style and the legacy she left behind. *Episode...

Ep. 1 | "I Don't Sew for Social Climbers" - Ann Lowe

19 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The legacy and luxury fashion contributions of the designer Anne Lowe-- the first African-American to become a noted fashion designer.  --- This epis...