Beauty and the Modern Black Woman

 African-Americans were barred from mainstream fashion industries in 1945. Beauty products, clothing and fashion was aimed at white consumers more than black consumers. John Johnson, the publisher of Ebony which started publishing in 1945, wanted to spotlight black beauty and use black models in advertisements. In the1940's, 50's, and 60's Ebony magazine and other people contributed to a greater fashion craze. The Afro hairdo's,as of which symbolized that "Black is Beautiful"  demonstrated the rebellion that was sweeping the nation. In the early1970's a few beauty products were beginning to be offered to people with Black skin tones. During the1980's the black models were showing up on the front covers of European ,and American magazines also during this time the world finally realized what Ebony was trying to say and why they wanted to use black models and this is what they say " that Black women with their full-lips and glowing bronze complexions that represent the epitome of Beauty. Throughout the1990's there have been various indications that Black Beauty have been accepted on a much broader level. However, racial barriers on beauty and fashion still persists. Ebony was the leader in the Black fashion.

Natasha W.
L'Tasha J.
Krista B.

Sources: Norment, Lynn. 50 Years of Fashion and Beauty. Ebony Magazine. 1995.

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