Willi Smith & Zelda Wynn Valdes

 

Willi Smith was an American fashion designer. He was born on February 29, 1948 in Philadelphia, PA. Smith was known as one of the most successful African-American designers in the fashion industry during his time. In 1976, he launched a clothing line with Mallet called WilliWear, which combined sportswear and high-end tailoring. He was taking streetwear and putting it on the runway, which he classified as ‘Street Couture.’ WilliWear was the first company to create womenswear and menswear under the same brand. Smith believed that fashion should be expressive and undefined. Through his work, he broke down barriers that had never been crossed before. One of the first black designers to achieve significant success in sales, WilliWear made a peak sales figure of about $25 million. Willi Smith created a way for fashion to be affordable and accessible. 

Zelda Wynn Valdes was an African American fashion and costume designer. Valdes was the first black designer to open her own boutique named Chez Zelda, which became the first black-owned business on Broadway in NYC in 1948. Eartha Kit and Dorothy Dandridge are among those who have worn her designs. She was the first noteworthy fashion designer to design the Playboy Bunny Costumes, creating the iconic Playboy suit - strapless corset, bunny ears, and bow tie. Valdes was born on June 28, 1905 in Chambersburg, PA. Growing up, she learned how to sew from her grandmother’s seamstress. Throughout her career, she helped to popularize and define the look of a woman's curvy silhouette.When she worked in the industry, it was predominantly white and discriminatory. The career of Zelda Wynn Valdes laid the groundwork for black fashion and costume designers.

Black designers like these, as well as other talented designers of all time, have offered invaluable contributions to the fashion world. The importance of shining the spotlight on individuals' ability to work hard through all of the stipulations does not just apply to designers, but also to other creatives who have not yet received credit for their efforts. In pursuit of your goals and discovering your purpose, you will face hardships. To me, the most intriguing aspects of Willi Smith and Zelda Wynn Valdes is how they overcame stereotypes and obstacles to succeed in their careers.

Willi Smith- WilliWear Designs

Zelda Wynn Valdes- The Creator of the Playboy Bunny Costume