Before there were fashionable films like Sex And The City and The Devil Wears Prada, there were a few films in black cinema that provided us with just as much influential fashion. These films highlighted the fashions of their time while also setting trends in the process. These trends were bold, fresh, and represented black America. From European inspired designs meshed with around-the- way styles, some of the fashion represented in these films is still relevant today.
School Daze
Although very relaxed attire, this Spike Lee joint was filled with college paraphernalia that made it cool to wear university branded attire, whether you attended college or not. Specifically HBCU attendees everywhere were exceptionally proud to wear their school attire fashionably.
Harlem Nights
Pin curls, fringes, feathers, boas, pearls, tuxes, fedoras, bow ties and scarves were all some of the hottest items rocked throughout this 1989 film starring Eddie Murphy, Redd Foxx, and Richard Pryor, and Della Reese. Portraying, casino gangsters the entire casts’ threads reaped of money. Many of the styles worn in this film are still relevant in fashion today.
Mahogany
Anything featuring Diana Ross was sure to be fabulous. Mahogany, the movie based on an aspiring designer from Chicago who puts herself through fashion school, was full of good music and even better fashion. The iconic Ms. Ross donned feathers, frills, and other chic fashions that many of us still rock today.
Sparkle
This 1970s film was based on three sisters from Harlem who became singers, while one becomes involved with drugs, and one of the other (Sparkle) ends up being the one who gets famous. Fabulous gowns, pin curled hairstyles, and a plethora of 70’s fashion that we see today, was donned throughout the movie.
She’s Gotta Have It
Another Spike Lee joint, the best of 80’s fashion was shown throughout this movie. From the around the way girl attire (think bamboo earrings..at least two pair), to the clean cut attire worn by the 80s man when he attempted to ‘dress up’, we saw the 80’s at its fashionably best and worst.
Which films had the most memorable styles?
