The Way We Wore

Michael McCollom has put together a collection of never-before-seen photographs of the individual. 'The Way We Wore' is not only a historical piece that journeys through the African-American landscape, but also an album celebrating the individual. Michael McCollom has carefully chosen photographs and people that exhibit the historical framework of African-American influence on fashion, design, and culture, taking a unique look back at African-American style moments. Utilising personal photographs, this collection explores the stylish beginnings of a diverse group of African-American tastemakers along with everyday folk, examining a time when some individuals literally pulled it all together or, for others, a time of trial and error. This is an exciting exploration of African-American influence on fashion, design and culture. Contents: Foreword by Geoffrey Holder; Introduction by Michael McCollom; Fashions Fade, Style is Eternal; Hair, Hells and Attitude; Adore that Pink; Important Hair; Express Yourself; Stumbling is Not Falling; Destined for Greatness; Aim High; Index to Participants. AUTHOR: Michael McCollom is a designer and professional photographer. Named by Vogue magazine as the "designer to watch", he has gained recognition as a designer and photographer, working with a celebrity clientele including Mariah Care, Whitney Houston, and Julia Roberts. His first solo museum exhibition took place in SoHo, New York, in 2002 and he continues to curate shows throughout the city, including the 2006/2007 Museum of the City of New York's fashion exhibition, Black Style Now. Geoffrey Holder was born in Trinidad, and moved to New York in 1954, where he made his career, as a dancer, actor, painter, choreographer, designer, director, and singer. He has been a principal dancer with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship for his painting, appeared in several feature films, and won a Tony Award for Best Director for his Broadway musical, The Wiz. Holder lives with his wife, Carmen de Lavallade, in New York City. SELLING POINTS: The only book to catalogue, either visually or in words, the origins of a uniquely American style that has swept the globe Features both important people from black culture along with snapshot artwork showing how the style was once specific to an ethnicity has permeated and inspired high fashion worldwide Features photographs of Oprah Winfrey, James Baldwin, models Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, and Tookie Smith; fashion designers Kimora Lee Simmons, Patrick Kelly, and Tracy Reese, singers Bobby Short and James Ingram, agent Bethann Hardison, socialite Portia LaBeija, and Supremes Mary Wilson and Jean Terrell Appeals to fans of fashion, photography, and contemporary African-American culture and history 150 colour illustrations