African American Designer Zelda Wynn Valdes designed the first ever Playboy Bunny costumes

The legendary Zelda Barbour Wynn Valdes (June 28, 1905 – September 26, 2001), was an African-American fashion designer and costumer based in Harlem who designed the original Playboy Bunny costume.In 1948, she opened her boutique, Chez Zelda on Broadway and 158th Street in Harlem, NY, which was the first in the area to be owned by an African-American.

In 1949, Valdes was commissioned by Hugh Hefner to design one of her curve hugging outfits to create the first Playboy Bunny custome made from rayon-satin, and was a strapless one piece. While it’s not clear (and I’m currently researching this) that she was the sole creator of the costume, Valdes had an ongoing relationship with the Playboy Club in New York where she staged fashion shows so it makes sense that she was involved in the design.

She attracted many celebrities such as Dorothy Dandridge, Sarah Vaughn, Josephine Baker, Joyce Bryant, Ella Fitzgerald, Mae West, Dorothy Dandridge and Marian Anderson.

“I just had a God-given talent for making people beautiful,” Zelda said during a 1994 interview with The New York Times.

Photo credit: One of the first Playboy Bunny customes and entertainer Jackie Wilson.

What do you think?

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Hello would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re working with?
    I’m planning to start my own blog in the near future but I’m
    having a difficult time choosing between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.

    The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique.
    P.S Sorry for getting off-topic but I had to ask!

  2. Hmm it seems like your site ate my first comment (it was extremely long)
    so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your
    blog. I too am an aspiring blog writer but I’m
    still new to everything. Do you have any points for newbie blog writers?
    I’d definitely appreciate it.

  3. Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets
    I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest
    twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for
    quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this.
    Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward
    to your new updates.

  4. Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically
    tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking
    for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience
    with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything.

    I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward
    to your new updates.

  5. Howdy, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i
    was just curious if you get a lot of spam
    remarks? If so how do you reduce it, any plugin or anything you
    can suggest? I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so any assistance is very much appreciated.

  6. Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thanks, However I am experiencing troubles with your RSS.

    I don’t know the reason why I can’t subscribe to it. Is there anybody having identical RSS issues?
    Anybody who knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanx!!

  7. Good day very nice website!! Guy .. Beautiful ..

    Superb .. I will bookmark your website and take the feeds additionally?
    I’m glad to seek out so many helpful info right here within the post, we need work out extra strategies in this regard, thank you for sharing.
    . . . . .

  8. Greetings I am so glad I found your site, I really found you by accident, while I was researching on Yahoo for something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like to say kudos for
    a tremendous post and a all round thrilling blog (I also
    love the theme/design), I don’t have time to look over it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also
    included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the awesome job.

  9. I loved as much as you will receive carried
    out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored material stylish.

    nonetheless, you command get bought an shakiness over
    that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you
    shield this increase.

  10. Hi would you mind stating which blog platform you’re working with?
    I’m looking to start my own blog soon but I’m having a hard time making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
    The reason I ask is because your layout seems different
    then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique.
    P.S Sorry for being off-topic but I had to ask!

Load more comments

Rihanna put music on pause while shes in Malawi building hospitals

Patricia Bath Inventor Of Cataract Treatment in 1981.