Words by Chanelle Goddard
To celebrate Black History Month, we’ve put together a list of some Black fashion icons who – through their style and personalities – have paved the way for others.
In fashion, things are constantly changing; old trends die and new ones emerge. Your once enviable bag becomes a fashion crime equal to high treason and your favourite jacket, which was once the talk of the town, becomes “so last year”. But throughout fashion and history, there are some who manage to remain consistently stylish. As Yves Saint Laurent once said: “Fashion fades, style is eternal”. To celebrate Black History Month, here are some Black style icons who continue to shape modern fashion and inspire others with their style and personalities:
Iman Abdulmajid
Somali-American fashion model Iman Abdulmaji first hit the public eye in 1976 by captivating the world with her striking beauty and contemporary style. After working with some of the world’s biggest publications, including Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Elle and many others, Abdulmaji has managed to infuse her abstract photoshoot looks with her everyday style – gaining her thousands of fans and landing her amongst recognised Black style icons.
Since the 1970s, she’s always been spotted rocking sleek, colourful and elegant fashion pieces; through her looks, she’s shown she isn’t afraid to stand apart from the crowd. In addition to her status as a global fashion icon, Abdulmaji’s made a consistent effort to raise awareness of the issues she cares about. As one of the world’s first Black supermodels, she fought to change the world’s perception of ‘typical beauty’. By using her voice, she’s campaigned, in collaboration with others, against racism and discrimination in the fashion and media industries.
Diana Ross
Diana Ross’ impact on the fashion industry has been described as ‘unmatched’ and people today still label her as the ‘ultimate fashion icon’. In the Motown era, Diana Ross’ impact on the music and fashion world could hardly be understated. Thousands of women wanted to dress like her and thousands of men admired her. Her soulful voice and her glamourous style marked her out as a global style, music and culture icon – titles she still holds to this day. On the red carpet, she turned heads with her jewelled gowns, and on the stage, her funky pantsuits ensured the spotlight was always on Miss Ross.
Since the age of 15, when she started her music career, she’s made huge waves across the music and fashion industries. At the height of her career, there was only one thing magazines needed to do if they wanted to sell out across the world: get Miss Ross on the cover. Apart from her style and status as one of the Black style icons, Miss Ross ‘talks the talk and walks the walk’ on the issues she cares about. From supporting the Elton John AIDS Foundation to lending a hand to Autism Movement Therapy, her impact continues to be felt.
Tupac
The circumstances surrounding his tragic death may be a mystery, but his impact on fashion, style and culture is not: there are few artists with longer-lasting legacies than Tupac Shakur. His music might take centre stage, but his style and his ability to influence generations of fashion enthusiasts deserve a mention. Wander around the streets of New York or take a trip to Shoreditch, London, and you’ll realise that 90s fashion is back in full swing; you may not know it, but Tupac has a lot to do with its resurgence. His streetwear style, experimentation with clothes and his reputation as a trendsetter continues to be the ultimate source of style inspiration for many.
As well as inspiring people with his music and fashion, Tupac also inspired the masses with his generosity. His music might not always suggest it, but he had a natural compassion which he used to help disadvantaged youths.
Grace Jones
Three words are synonymous with Grace Jones: incomparable, bold, and authentic. In fashion and modelling, few faces are more iconic than hers. Since the start of her career in the 1970s, she’s shown herself to be multitalented; her careers in music, modelling and acting have been a huge success. Also, for Jones, standing out from the crowd comes easy – it’s who she is. Her ‘out of the box’ and androgynous fashion looks have captivated people around the world and landed her on the cover of every major magazine you can think of. In truth, you would struggle to find a difference between what she wore on the cover of magazines and the looks she rocked in her everyday life. This, in addition to her charismatic personality, has earned her a well-deserved spot on the list of global style icons.
Like others, she also lends her voice to the issues and causes she cares about. Through her work, she’s always made the point of encouraging people to be their truest selves. For the LGBTQ+ community, in particular, Jones has become a role model and a well-loved pioneer of change.
Naomi Campbell
No one does fashion quite like Naomi Campbell. Since the start of her career in 1978, the British model has, in her own unique way, become the very definition of ‘supermodel style’. From elegant gowns to chic casual, she can pull anything off. Throughout her modelling career, designers have relied on Campbell to bring their pieces to life on the runway – but her fashion influence extends way beyond the catwalk. In everything she does, she’s as stylish as she is glamorous. And when she turned up to her community service in a floor-length sequin gown, she made – as she’s done countless times before – fashion history.
Campbell has also been very vocal about the changes that need to occur in the fashion and modelling industries. From racial diversity to supporting new waves of ethnic models, Campbell has become a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion.
Prince
There are popular artists, and then there is Prince. You may know him for his powerful voice and legendary music, but his style and fashion choices became as legendary as the man himself. From high heels to lace gloves, Prince wore them all. He didn’t care much for others’ ideas of gender-appropriate clothes, either. In his style, he was completely authentic. By doing so, he helped change old ideas and gave millions of people across the world the confidence to be themselves.
Long after his death, his music and style continue to influence brands, people and other artists. And just like his music, his charitable efforts were legendary too – he supported organisations which focused on disadvantaged youths and lent his voice to causes which advanced education.
Sammy Davis Jr.
When you’re nicknamed ‘Mr Show Business’, you’re bound to have some serious style. Few people, let alone artists, are as cool, calm and collected as Sammy Davis Jr. Since bursting onto the scene as a child, Sammy Davis Jr. charmed audiences as few could, and made his mark with some seriously impressive on and off-screen style. He wore tailored suits before David Beckham made them cool and tilted his hat better than any rapper could today. On the list of Black style icons, Sammy Davis Jr.’s name will always be one of the first.
In an era where a man was nothing without his suit, Sammy Davis Jr. wore it best – and by hanging out with Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra (the Rat Pack), his style influence only got bigger. Whether on stage at a TV special or charming an audience at a benefit concert, he was as funny, cool and generous as he was stylish.