For the past 2 years we have dedicated our time focusing on Black icons during Black History Month. This year we chose to spotlight Black Starlets. Women who broke race barriers and changed the world's perception of Black women, all while having impeccable style. Join us on this journey as we take a look back and reflect on a few iconic women who have made a statement in Black culture.
Lena Horne
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| Lena Horne in 1956 |
My first memory of seeing Lena Horne was in 1993 when she appeared on an episode of A Different World, titled "A Rock, a River, a Lena". Honestly, I don't think I knew who she was prior to watching that episode, but the way everyone talked about her, I knew she was special. Whitley even called her our first black sex symbol, saying that she broke stereotypes of black women playing prostitutes and maids.
Lena Horne began her career in 1933, joining the chorus line of the Cotton Club in New York City.
Ms.Horne was the first African-American to land the cover of a movie magazine, she went on to be on the cover of many more magazines.
One shoulder dresses were a big part of Lena's signature style. These dresses were a great choice because they accentuated her collarbone and gave the illusion of a long neck. With Lena's long dresses and one shoulder style her body was elongated, I would never have guessed that she was only 5'5".
Like many Black iconic stars, Lena felt her fair share of racism and unfair treatment throughout her time in Hollywood. While working with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Lena was never featured in a leading role because of her race and her films had to be re-edited for showing in cities where theaters would not show films with black performers. Most of her film appearances were stand-alone sequences that had no bearing to the rest of the film, so when they cut her scenes there was no disruption to the story line.
Ms. Horne was a social activist, being involved in the Civil Rights Movement. Lena stood for a cause, and she used her stardom to make a difference. She attended an NAACP rally with Medgar Evers the weekend before he was assassinated, she was at the March on Washington, and even worked with Eleanor Roosevelt to pass anti-lynching laws.
My favorite story was re-told on the episode of "A Different World". Mr. Gaines shared a story that no one quite believes, until Ms. Horne confirms that the story is true. During World War II, when entertaining the troops for the USO, she refused to perform for segregated audiences or for groups where German POWs were seated in front of African-American servicemen. At the time the U.S. Army refused to allow integrated audiences, so Lena walked off of stage and went to perform facing the African-American servicemen, while the German POWs sat behind her. What a statement!!
Lena, we thank you for your contribution to the world. We thank you for taking a stand for what you believed in, and for the being the first African-American woman to show the world that we are more than prostitutes and maids. We honor you this month.
Also in honor of Lena Horne, I did a recreation of her album cover for 'Lovely and Alive'. I'm telling you trying to get this photo just right was harder than it looks, but I did my best.
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| Photo Credit |
Ms.Horne was the first African-American to land the cover of a movie magazine, she went on to be on the cover of many more magazines.
One shoulder dresses were a big part of Lena's signature style. These dresses were a great choice because they accentuated her collarbone and gave the illusion of a long neck. With Lena's long dresses and one shoulder style her body was elongated, I would never have guessed that she was only 5'5".
Like many Black iconic stars, Lena felt her fair share of racism and unfair treatment throughout her time in Hollywood. While working with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Lena was never featured in a leading role because of her race and her films had to be re-edited for showing in cities where theaters would not show films with black performers. Most of her film appearances were stand-alone sequences that had no bearing to the rest of the film, so when they cut her scenes there was no disruption to the story line.
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| Lena Horne and Medgar Evers |
Ms. Horne was a social activist, being involved in the Civil Rights Movement. Lena stood for a cause, and she used her stardom to make a difference. She attended an NAACP rally with Medgar Evers the weekend before he was assassinated, she was at the March on Washington, and even worked with Eleanor Roosevelt to pass anti-lynching laws.
My favorite story was re-told on the episode of "A Different World". Mr. Gaines shared a story that no one quite believes, until Ms. Horne confirms that the story is true. During World War II, when entertaining the troops for the USO, she refused to perform for segregated audiences or for groups where German POWs were seated in front of African-American servicemen. At the time the U.S. Army refused to allow integrated audiences, so Lena walked off of stage and went to perform facing the African-American servicemen, while the German POWs sat behind her. What a statement!!
Also in honor of Lena Horne, I did a recreation of her album cover for 'Lovely and Alive'. I'm telling you trying to get this photo just right was harder than it looks, but I did my best.
Be Blessed! Be Free! Be Fashionable!
~Chris
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