No Blueprint

No Blueprint

Author: Pineapple Street Studios | The Fashion and Race Database | Tommy Hilfiger April 20, 2022 Duration: 29:35
They fell in love with fashion. They remixed looks, dressed our favorite characters, ignited the industry, took what others might’ve seen as scraps and made them beautiful. They carved out a space for themselves. Featuring Jeffrey Banks, Ceci, Romeo Hunte, Law Roach, Letesha Renee, Darnell-Jamal Lisby, Miko Underwood, Brandice Daniel, Jasmine Guy, Connor McKnight, Monica Miller, April Walker, Monica Morrow, Boz Bradshaw and Randy Cousin.    Syllabus:  Throughout history, Black people have always had that “special sauce” that has created a style tradition that is uniquely resourceful and innovative. The book Stylin': African-American Expressive Culture, from Its Beginnings to the Zoot Suit takes us through that history. Black people have seen the influence of their style travel across the globe, and the book, How to Slay: Inspiration from the Queens and Kings of Black Style, provides a complete survey of how we “slay.” We all have a story about that certain thing we wore that made us feel special or seen. Dressed in Dreams: A Black Girl’s Love Letter to the Power of Fashion inspires us to remember what those things were, and explains how it’s vital in keeping our culture alive.  When host Kimberly Jenkins had the opportunity to meet the late fashion legend André Leon Talley, he joined her at Parsons School of Design as she hosted a screening of the documentary, The Gospel According to André, in effort to give Talley his flowers. Fashion veteran Bethann Hardison also has a motherly connection to a “Different World” star referenced in our upcoming episode on HBCU style. How many Black fashion designers throughout history can you name? Podcast guest Elizabeth Way provides us with the much-needed book, Black Designers in American Fashion, as an essential reference guide.  Guest Darnell-Jamal Lisby penned this profile on the admired Willi Smith and speaks about Smith’s design approach in this episode. The late designer Patrick Kelly showed Black fashion design hopefuls just how far you could make it in an industry known for being famously exclusive. Which is why we recommend the piece, “Patrick Kelly Was the Jackie Robinson of High Fashion”. A contemporary of our podcast guest Jeffrey Banks, along with the late designers Willi Smith and Patrick Kelly, our profile on Stephen Burrows celebrates the fashion designer who dressed our bodies to dance and move. For a transcript of this episode, please visit fashionandrace.org/database/ep1-no-blueprint. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fashion educator Kimberly Jenkins guides listeners through a compelling five-part series titled The Invisible Seam, which meticulously traces how Black Americans have used clothing as a powerful language. This podcast moves beyond mere aesthetics to uncover stories where style became a tool for demanding dignity, subverting social norms, and forging resilient communities. Each episode focuses on specific historical moments, revealing a legacy of innovation and imagination that has profoundly shaped global fashion, yet often remains overlooked. The conversations delve into the deeper meanings woven into fabric and silhouette, exploring how personal and collective identity is expressed and contested through what we wear. Produced through a collaboration between Pineapple Street Studios, The Fashion and Race Database, and Tommy Hilfiger’s People’s Place Program, the series offers a rich, narrative-driven examination of culture and history. Listeners will find a thoughtfully researched and deeply human exploration of the intersection where personal adornment meets social change. The The Invisible Seam podcast doesn't just recount history; it illuminates the enduring influence of Black creativity and resilience, offering a new lens through which to understand the very fabric of American life and its sartorial expressions. It’s an essential listen for anyone curious about the true stories behind the styles we take for granted.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 8

The Invisible Seam
Podcast Episodes
The Connecting Thread [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:22
In this bonus episode, our host Kimberly Jenkins has reflective, candid conversations with designers Clarence Ruth, Megan Renee and Johnathan Hayden. They discuss their inspirations, trajectories and cultural influences;…
Loose Threads [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:10
Fashion academia and the fashion industry don’t often talk to each other, but that’s exactly why we have this podcast. In this bonus episode, Kimberly sits down with Randy Cousin, who leads The People’s Place Program at…
There Will Be No More Doors [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:04
When some of us go through doors, we take them off their hinges. What does the future of fashion look like, and how do we get there? Featuring Aria Hughes, Brandice Daniel, Law Roach, Randy Cousin, Ade Samuel, Connor McK…
The Best, The Brightest, The Dressed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:58
1900, 1987, 2018 - three moments when HBCU fashion culture expanded perceptions of being Black in America. We explore what it meant then—and today. Featuring Darnell Jamal-Lisby, Ceci, Jasmine Guy, Elizabeth Way and Moni…
Statement Piece [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:38
All white, top hat, Sunday best, black beret, denim - these have been tools of protest and catalysts for change throughout history. Now we’re unpacking the relationship between what we wear and what we believe. Featuring…
Rhythm and Muse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:59
When hip-hop’s popularity skyrocketed in the 90s and early 2000s, designers and stylists embraced—and dressed—their tribes. And the world took notice. Featuring Monica Morrow, Boz Bradshaw, Elena Romero and April Walker.…
Introducing: The Invisible Seam [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:33
Often unappreciated, but never unnoticed - welcome to the show that celebrates Black contributions to fashion. Hosted by fashion educator Kimberly Jenkins, this five-part series explores moments in history when Black Ame…