Essence Festivals (2022 & 2023): Black Girl Magic Fashions & Fun (videos & comments)

GIRLS TRIP: Essence Fest 2022 | HIGHLOWLUXXE, Jul 6, 2022 

#highlowluxxe #neworleans #essencefest2022

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases two vlogs of Jenee Naylor & friends on a Girls trip to Essence Festival 2022 and Essence Festival 2023.

This post includes selected comments from the discussion threads for these vlogs. In addition to its other content, many of these selected comments highlight the use of African American Vernacular English (AAVE). However, I don't point out or provide definitions for these AAVE words in this post.

The content of this post is presented for cultural and linguistic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Jenee Naylor for her cultural influence and thanks to all those who helped produce these showcased vlogs. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.
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Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2023/09/the-essence-festival-from-classy-to.html for another perspective about the 2023 Essence Festival. That pancocojams post is entitled "The Essence Festival: From Classy To Trashy (Article Excerpts & Comments About The 2023 Essence Festival)".

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SHOWCASE VLOG #2 - GIRLS TRIP | ESSENCE FEST VLOG 2023 | HIGHLOWLUXXE

Jenee Naylor, Jul 5, 2023  #highlowluxxe #garnier #fashion

#essencefestival #fashion #highlowluxxe

Hey Queens ✨,

Time for the Essence Fest vlog! This one is short & sweet: giving straight vibes and fashions😆! This year, I had the absolute pleasure of going to Essence #loreal and #garnier; and when I say they truly rolled out the red carpet; they rolled out the red carpet!

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM SHOWCASE VLOG #1
Unless otherwise noted, all of these comments are from 2022. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

1. Pinned by Jenee Naylor
@jeneenaylor
"Hey Queens✨!

I know it's been a while, but I'm sooooo incredibly excited to share my vlog from ESSENCE FEST!!! This was my very 1st time attending Essence Festival and it was absolutely amazingggg. I had the pleasure of going with some amazing women, courtesy of Pandora, and we absolutely had a time! Check out all the summer fits, events, and NOLA magic and let me know your comments below!"

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2. @DeeSweetest
"It was amazing seeing your first experience at Essence!!! So glad you had a great time! Essence is a vibe no matter the budget. We know how to kick it!! Every look was GIV-ING!!😘😘"

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3. @LL-zw2qb
"You left too early Sis, you should have stayed for the New Edition concert because it was everything!"

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4. @jeneenaylor
"There is so much to do! I will definitely be back next year"

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5. @melgreen4255
"Love the vlog. I’m definitely going to Essence next year."

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6. @yvetteanderson5504
"I’ve never attended Essence Fest. This video was so nice…I had to watch it twice. 👏🏽👏🏽"

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7. @thoughtsofatherapist66
"Well done. & good job to all the other ladies who were with you. I love seeing our people in the spotlight ✊🏾. And you all had fun. It’s the Melanin for me!  😍 Okay, Essence Fest, I see what it was giving."

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8. @carinebelle4356
"Great vlog, I have really enjoyed watching the behind the scenes. The Essence fest was lit. I loved all the outfits as usual. Style on style 😀

Thanks for sharing 💛💛💛"

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9. @queenofthesouth4205
"Hey Jenee, I was at Essence Festival as well. I have family in NOLA so it's always an adventure. 💚💛💜 see you again next time!!! The music, culture and food are always GOOD."

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10. @dawndixson3922
"Baby !!!!! I love to see it !!! Nola is such a vibe …. I know it rocks at the essence fest !!! Can’t wait til I make one !!! You was killing it"

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11. @tmr7667
"Amazing work! Thank you for the virtual Pandora + Essence experience!"

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12. @sincerelyajg5067
"I have gone to Essence 3x previously (05, 08, ‘10…back in the day right out of college) and had an amazing time each time! So glad you enjoyed! Outfits were 🔥🔥🔥"

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13. @yolandafintak2263
"Great Vlog Jenee!! Awesome content of you and the other Beautiful Influencers at the  Essence Fest! Love This!! Black Girl Magic on 1000!!! 🙂"

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14. @latonyrad37
"Happy that you enjoyed my city!! Essence was fun! We are happy that it will be in the city permanently!!! Please come back and give us more fashion queen❤️"

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15. @rere2410
"So so happy you had a great time!  Black girl magic everywhere, last time I went to Essence Fest, when we landed in NOLA the flight attendant said "welcome to Wakanda" LOL"

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16. @dawnhoward53
"Jenee so glad you were able to attend Essence in my hometown.  I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, and I hope you can visit again, when there isn't an event so you can really experience the culture and the vibe. As always you nailed every outfit with so much class."

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17. @delle3955
"I have yet to make it to Essence Fest, so I appreciate your vlog, the fashions, and OMG going to a Lauryn and Janet Jackson concert, with a SWV sighting to top it off! Love it all!"

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18. @shaneemadden135
"I've never been to an Essence Fest but this made me want to give it a try. I loved the behind the scenes of you working, those are my favorite. You killed it Sis!❤🎉"

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19. @nichebmore4520
"Watching all the vlogs has  REALLY  lit the fire under me to prep for Essence next year. It's definitely an experience I feel like everyone should try....even if you only do it once."

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20. @DeeSweetest
"It was amazing seeing your first experience at Essence!!! So glad you had a great time! Essence is a vibe no matter the budget. We know how to kick it!! Every look was GIV-ING!!😘😘"

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21.@henriettaross6430
"This was absolutely everything!!! Essence Fest is magical and I think you captured all of the magic in this video! You are an inspiration, thanks so much for sharing!"

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22. @jenniferblue4972
"This video was everything! You looked absolutely beautiful and it was so cool to see all “the girls” together. True black girl magic and excellence. Beautiful!"

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23. @tinalulumack378
"Essence Festival is so fun...I've been once!! That copper dress was amazing and you looked stunning!! Hell you were stunning the whole trip. There are no words on the food!😝😛"

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM SHOWCASE VLOG #2
All of these comments are from 2023. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

1. Pinned by Jenee Naylor

@jeneenaylor
"Happy Wednesday Queens!!! Sharing the highlights from Essence Fest in todays vlog, hope you love it🥰🥰"

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2. @thee_nakikke
"Hey Jenee'. Awesome vlog. I didn't make it in time at the meet n greet before the line shut down. But I saw you, girl! I had the best time at Essence Fest. Looks like you did too but ya'll put in some work!"

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3. @jeneenaylor
"@thee_nakikke  so sorry I missed you!! Glad you enjoyed yourself🥰🥰"

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4. @yeamaneal5652
"Wowsi!! Your outfits were 10 across-the-board each time. Some of my friends that attended this year said it was super,duper hot as you stated. Thanks for providing these pleasurable escape for us each time and also thanks to Josh and Mia for their dedication to making you a superstar. We see how hard you work and this African aunty (Liberian) appreciate it!"

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5. @TACo-281
"You rocked every look at ESSENCEfest. 🔥

Thanks for giving us a vlog because you were giving us content the whole time with the outfits.

I would have loved to see a little more like last year but i enjoyed what you gave us. It looks like you had a great time!"

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6. @AshleyWashington-en6vq
"My only complaint is that I wanted this to be longer because I was enjoying it so much! I am absolutely convinced that I need to get my a** to ESSENCE next year and I'm not sure why the hell I haven't been thus far! Love your vlogs, keep up the great work Team Jenee'!"

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7. @sophiaosei1980
"You are flying high Jeneé with ESSENCE fest trip sponsored by Pandora and L'Oreal/Garnier!!   The Balmain loan was DRAMA!  Your shoot with Jackie Aina exemplifies Boss Ladies🤎"

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8. @meciesmoments6550
"Yaay! 🎉 Looks like this year's Essence Festival was everything!! 😍⚜️💕 Thank you for sharing your lovely experiences!! 🤗 Wishing you continued success! 🌟"

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9. @EmorettaRobinson
"Essence Fest looked like it was a lot of fun. You looked stunning. And your outfits and accessories were 🔥."

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10.@arethacrandell3360
"Jj you are my inspiration  everything I see you as my lil sister in my head represents  the dark-skinned girls out here..we are being more noticeable  now since you and every other dark-skinned girl showing off our beauty and style..thank you❤"

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11. @swonsley245
"Just WOW!!! Jenee!!!!     I am going to Essence next year w/hopes to see you on one of those stages!  You're a fashion Rock Star!"

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12. @shoedeeva4355
"You are simply fabulous in every outfit. Slay slay slay. The black and white Balmain was my favorite"

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13. @LindaFennell-nz7el
"QUEEN WAS QUEENING!!!

Continued success!!!👌👑"

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14. @godisgood28
"Talk about a VLOG of just Beautiful melanin queens! Keep shining cause you are making your mark in this fashion industry! ❤️👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 # icon"

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15. @chandamochaswirl
"Hope my city treated you well   Every look you slayed 💯🥂"

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16. @ms.inspiration385
"I followed your Essence adventures on Instagram, and it looked like such a wonderful time.  Your fashions were always on point, & I particularly loved the Monroe Steele/Something By Sonja White dress & the Lorvae sunglasses.  I also enjoyed the concerts and y'all impromptu sing-a-longs as that seemed like such a fun time.  Finally, just seeing Blacks altogether in harmony was just a delight.  Congratulations on reaching 400k on Instagram. Thanks for sharing a fantastic weekend!  P.S. YOU AND JACKIE AINA TOGETHER WAS WOW!!!"

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17.@crochetbabe829
"You slayed those two white outfits so good, where is the fashion police!!!!!? Both of the were absolutely bomb!!! A d that black dress was a stunner!!!"

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18. @ruthmc3936
"Fabulous content...delivered ..period🎉 classy!!❤"

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19. @daretoberare6435
"Sooo good, you ladies are beautiful queens"

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20. @journeywithjell1594
"Great video Love love  all your looks and the sisters."

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21.@happybeautywithob6
"This was way too short...lol Just stunning all of ya'all. 👏👏👏🔥🔥🔥❤❤❤ Thank you for sharing."

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22.@Ccgemini
"Thanks for sharing. I know it was 🥵🥵🥵AF but you served some 🔥🔥🔥looks"

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23. @yolandafintak2263
"Gorgeous and Giving The Gurls Want We Need At Essence.  The pics with you and Jackie were Fabulous X 's 100!!!🤍💜🤍💜💥💥"

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24. @mochabetty
"That shot with both you and Jackie Aina was 🔥🔥🔥🔥"

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25. @onetreeurbanjungle6100
"Missed this year but great to see other folks pics. You all be fabulous, 1/2 my fits be sandals and shorts. Lol! blessings !"

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26. @seymonetko1958
"OMG! I commented before I saw you and Jackie! :) :) :) So inspiring."

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27. @styledbypg
"I was in the line for L’Oreal to see you and the Yusefs.  But they cut the line and said it was closed 😩

Hopefully next time!"

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28. @MsSocialLeslie
"Hunnaaaaayyyyyy you slayed every luuuukkkkk 😂"

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29. @Tastywisewife
"Yes it so damn hot!!!! I’m so happy it’s finally raining here in New Orleans. My AC was crying for help😂"

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30. @bandilenzimande4235
"Josh and Dennis shooting content for y’all 😭😭😭😍❤️❤️❤️"

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31. @char90303
"Swear I didn’t recognize Jackie Aina 🫣 that body was bodying 😅 whew chile. Loved all your outfits. Your style speaks to me."

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32. @traceyrobinson7502
"This was blog was everything🔥"

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33. @ICreateThoughts
"When Chocolate people get together 🔥 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾"

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34. @tttenterprisewaiters6329
"U stay FLY"

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35. @dineosibiya2123
"Beautiful  , your style woooo, that black silky dress ,stunning, thank you l see in South Africa."

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36. @kellialexander4080
"Yassssssssssssss Queen!!!!"

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37. @daintychick461
"10 mins Jenee...gurl😂"

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38. Jenee Naylor
"I cut out all the rambling and just showed the fun parts😂😂😂"

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39. @daintychick461
"@jeneenaylor  we love the ramble friend❤️"

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40. @meciesmoments6550
"@jeneenaylor It was short, sweet, and beautiful! 😍⚜️💕🎉 Thanks for sharing! 🤗"

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41. @jeneenaylor
"@daintychick461  somebody said I talked too much in the last one so just testing out a shorter format!"

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42. @jeneenaylor
"@meciesmoments6550  thank you!!🥰"

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43. @thetiredfemme3652
"@jeneenaylor ”who said dat” PorshaVoice 😂😂"

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44. @daintychick461
"@jeneenaylor  whaaat....clearly they're not day one Queens lol"

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45. @jemaki6746
"@jeneenaylor  it’s a lie! absolutely love every part of your sharing, and depends what someone’s here for if it’s just the fashions then mute, but I absolutely love the way you think about things and share, it makes you you, literally why I’ve loved your videos from the beginning"

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46. @pmhartfield
"@jeneenaylor  whoever said that isn’t a day one Queen. The ‘talking to the camera check ins’ makes us feel apart of the trip. Ps: the new camera is great! 👌🏽"

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47. @charleebelfonte8977
"I’m here for the ramble! Would def love to hear audio of your interactions with the other girls, your thoughts on the events, concerts, etc. For someone who has never been, those things make me feel like I’m there. The fashions are great but I can see what you’re wearing on other platforms. I come to YT for life in motion. Thanks for sharing, though. I’m a Day Oner ❤"

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48. @deejames7031
"Listen......y'all did that!!  Josh we see you with the drome!  Out here making a whole GD MOVIE staring yo WIFE 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🔥🔥🔥💨💨♥️♥️🫶🏾💯✌🏾"

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49. @JMariesFace
"I enjoyed this Vlog like I do all of ur vlogs and why made me smile harder was seeing u and Jackie omg so cute 2 superstars black & beautiful 🫰 🫰"

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50.@judithedwards1413
"Hey Mr Mayor Jenee is here to shut yr city down just give her the Keys to the city the trophy and the belt.. I approve this msg 💯❤❤💘"

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51. @queenofthesouth4205
"NOLA was hot enough to fry an egg...on the sidewalk.💜💛💚"

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52. @amiem6480
"So chic and so fly!"

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53. @karenhebert9016
"I’m from here and we never experienced 100 degrees that heat will assault you but I see you enjoyed yourself ❤"

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54. @lasharondavis3138
"Great vlog as usual but the attire oh my always on point.  ❤"

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55. @olgaharris1103
"🌺 That black dress was 🔥 fire! 🤗🥰…Had to come back and include the white dress also, and of course you are the BEST DRESSED of em ALL!  🤗😎"

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56. @Poshpash
"My fav influencers linked up 😢❤! I love it"

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57. @deniseoates7147
"Looks like you got some fun time in there with some work.   It was good to see some familiar faces like you stated.  You really did some great planning of your outfits.  Back in the day I had at least 2 to 3 changes a day because it was so hot there.  I might try to go one more time before I call it off for old age (performers not my cup of tea) and we don't have the energy to walk around.  Thanks for sharing and blessings to you and all in the days to come."

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58. @tonyatiffanyofficial
"Babeee your whole blog is a VIBE!!!!!! Keeping making great QUALITY CONTENT!!!!"

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59. @veronicawise4648
"Beautiful outfits and you looked fabulous as always. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the weather, events and girl time together. Thanks for sharing the Essence experience this year."

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60. @kathleenharris8824
"Loved this Essence Fest Vlog! All of the fits head to toe glamorous. That looked like it was so much fun."

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Visitor comments are welcome.

Nine Videos That Show African American Males Wearing Certain Types Of Traditional African Hats (kufis & fezzes)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams posts features nine* videos that show African American males wearing certain types of traditional African Hats (kufis and fezzes).

The content of this post is presented for cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are featured in the videos that are embedded in this post and thanks to all the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
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*The ninth video was added to this post on December 12, 2019.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/11/fila-red-ozos-kufis-and-some-other.html for Part I of a two part pancocojams series entitled "Filas, Red Ozos, Kufis, Aboki Cap, And Some Other Names For Traditional Nigerian Male Caps (information)". Part II presents videos of those male caps.

Also, click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/12/why-few-african-american-males-wear.html for the pancocojams post entitled "Why Few African American Males Wear Traditional African Hats Such As Kufis, Filas, Or Fezzes".

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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
These videos are presented in chronological order according to their publishing date on YouTube, with the oldest dated video given first.

Video #1: "Africa Day at Bethany Baptist Church" - 1 of 3



Adeleside May 27, 2008
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1:02 in this video a woman is shown wearing a purple kufi. In Africa, kufis are traditionally only worn by males.

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Video #2: Sesame Street: Kwanzaa



Sesame Street, Dec 17, 2008

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Video #3: Sister Act 2 (Finale) Lauryn Hill - Joyful Joyful With Lyrics (Ft. Whoopi Goldberg)



Bound4Earth, Dec 9, 2009

-snip-
This movie was produced in 1993.

2:36 in this video shows the choir member Ahmal wearing pants, a kente cloth shirt, and an African kufi.

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Video #4: NIGHTLINE NEWS Interview w/ The Moorish Science Temple of America-1928



MSTA 1928, Jun 9, 2011

This interview was filmed independently of Night-Line News . This interview was from the reaction of the Sears Tower Bombing incident that took place in Chicago by a group of Brothers mislead by someone who was said to be a Member of The Moorish Science Temple.
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From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moorish_Science_Temple_of_America
"The Moorish Science Temple of America is an American national and religious organization founded by Noble Drew Ali. He based it on the premise that African Americans are descendants of the Moabites and thus are "Moorish" ... by adherents) by nationality, and Islamic by faith. Ali put together elements of major traditions to develop a message of personal transformation through historical education, racial pride and spiritual uplift. His doctrine was also intended to provide African Americans with a sense of identity in the world and to promote civic involvement."...

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Video #5: hiphopnc-Chuck Davis-African American Cultural Festival Raleigh, North Carolina



CarolinaExposedDVD, Dec 20, 2011

...Raleigh, North Carolina is the home to some of the oldest historical black colleges and universities. Some of the founders of Shaw University went on to find other educational institutions such as: Saint Augustine's College, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, and North Carolina Central University just to name a few. In this video clip Vandem Productions Films In Association with Carolina Exposed DVD and Ablaze Jackson presents highlights of the 2011 African American Cultural Festival. AACF takes place in the City of Raleigh North Carolina, Wake County is a family friendly celebration of African American arts and culture in downtown Raleigh. The Festival takes place on Labor Day weekend in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina."
-snip-
Dancer Baba Chuck Davis popularized the call & response saying "Ago"/"Ame" in the United States. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/01/what-ago-ame-means-and-where-that-call.html for a 2015 pancocojams post entitled "What "Ago" / "Ame" Means And Where That Call & Response Command Came From".

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Video #6: African Liberation Day in Pittsburgh 2013. On May 25th, 201 Part 2



T.U.T AMENDMEDIA, May 30, 2013

National Black United Front (NBUF) will host an African Liberation Day (ALD) Parade and Celebration Saturday, May 25th, 2013....
-anip-
Click 12:12 to the end of this video which features a Moorish American man named Kent Bey explaining the significance of his fez.

This video is included in the 2014 pancocojams post entitled "The History & Meaning Of The Red, Black, And Green Flag" http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-history-meaning-of-red-black-and.html.

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Video #7: Very Rare Interview of Messenger Elijah Muhammad



Muhammad Speaks, Sep 20, 2013

Very Rare Interview of Messenger Elijah Muhammad
http://muhammadspeaks.com
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WARNING: In this video Elijah Muhammad makes some rather inflammatory remarks about Malcolm X.

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elijah_Muhammad
"Elijah Muhammad (born Elijah Robert Poole; October 7, 1897 – February 25, 1975) was a religious leader who led the Nation of Islam (NOI) from 1934 until his death in 1975."...
-snip-
Members of The Nation Of Islam were colloquially known as "Black Muslims".

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Video #8: #SOULTRAIN #DonCornelius #SoulTrainBET
Marvin Gaye - Keep Getting It On



Soul Train, Mar 27, 2019

Marvin Gaye performing Keep Getting It On! [This song was released in 1973.]
-snip-
Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHu_ix9_zZQ&t=1s for a 2019 video entitled "Marvin Gaye exhibit". A caption in that video indicates that "the knit hat" that is on display in that exhibit "was worn during [Marvin Gaye's] "What's Going On" [album] era".

Also, click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkCXv7ukeYs for a video of an African Day church service in the United States. That video shows a man wearing an African attire with a knitted kufi that is red, black, green, and yellow.

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Video #9: Hallelujah! [filmed in 1991]



soundsgoodtomeYT, Published on Oct 26, 2017

From the 1991 album 'Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration'
(Winner of the 1992 Grammy for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album)
Produced by Mervyn Warren.
Executive Produced by Quincy Jones.
Arranged by Mervyn Warren, Michael O. Jackson, and Mark Kibble.
Brass arranged by Jerry Hey

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Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/12/kente-cloth-and-other-african-fashion.html for the 2018 pancocojams post entitled "Kente Cloth And Other African Fashion Accessories & Garments Worn By The All Star Chorus In Quincy Jones' 1992 Rendition Of Handel's Hallelujah! Chorus"

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Visitor comments are welcome.

Descriptions Of The Grandassa Models & Their Fashions

Edited by Azizi Powell

The Grandassa models were a group of African American female models whose afro-centric fashion shows were the first to promote the slogan "Black is Beautiful". Based in New York City, the Grandassa models' fashion shows were held in various cities in the United States from 1962 to 1979.

This is Part 3 of a 3 part series on the Grandassa models. This series is largely composed of excerpts from online articles. I have compiled these excerpts in this post as a means of increasing access to the historical, sociological, and educational information provided in those articles. I have credited all the authors or publications of these hyperlinked excerpts and thank those authors/publications for providing such information about the Grandassa models.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/12/grandassa-models-birth-of-black-is.html for Part 1 of this series.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/12/abbey-lincoln-jazz-grandassa-models.html for Part 2 of this series.

This post focuses on descriptions of the Grandassa models and the fashions they wore.

DESCRIPTIONS OF GRANDASSA MODELS - Skin Color & Natural Hair (Afros)
The most commonly found descriptor of Grandassa models is that they were dark complexioned African American females. African American reporter Earl Caldwell wrote
"They were very dark complected. To see the Grandassa models for the first time was stunning... They were so dark their faces had a bluish shimmer. "Blue black," people said. You saw them and your mouth just fell open."

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From http://mije.org/historyproject/caldwell_journals/chapter16 Chapter 16: The Grandassa Models
[Hereafter given in this post as "Caldwell: Grandasa Models"]
-snip-
Here are links to two photographs of the Grandassa models:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SmaiTawi/message/21000 [This is a colorised version of the photograph found elsewhere online]
and
http://books.google.com/books?id=QrBv5xmgHfMC&pg=PA48&lpg=PA48&dq=grandassa+models&source=bl&ots=IBUimunIq1&sig=880wepk701m_wOuY7q3wIZXdIMk&hl=en&ei=_CDeTqnGLej40gH5rYGIBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CDsQ6AEwBTgK#v=onepage&q=grandassa%20models&f=false The Grandassa models: Ebony Aug 1970

Also, here's a link to a gallery of relatively contemporary photographs of former Grandassa models:
http://adjmanteb.zenfolio.com/p803331005 Gallery Talk: The Grandassa
-snip-
These photographs show that, contrary to the opinion of Earl Caldwell (that are quoted above), the Grandassa models were only dark skinned in comparison to the prevailing norm then (and to a great extent still now) for White female runway models. Back then, and to a somewhat lesser extent now, if African American females were used as runway models, those models' complexion was light brown skin, and their hair was chemically straightened or they wore straight hair wigs.

Which brings up the second most commonly described characteristic of Grandassa models- their afro hair. In his chapter about the Grandassa models, Earl Caldwell wrote "And, in place of the popular processed hairdo involving hot combs, which literally burned hair straight, they wore "naturals," later called Afros, which meant hair groomed and worn naturally." Source: "Caldwell: Grandasa Models"

Every Grandassa models consistently wore their hair naturally (without chemical process or hot comb treatment). The afros that the Grandassa models wore were bush shaped-like the afro that Black activist's Angela Davis had. However, the models' afros were less wide that that of Angela Davis.

Afros were new to African Americans in the 1960s and 1970s. To wear your hair in such a style was daring and liable to provocate teasing, taunting and accusations of militacy from African Americans as well as from White people. Furthermore, in those days afros weren't styled or "texturized". It should also be emphasized that no Grandassa model wore her hair in the natural style known as "dreadlocks". My recollection is that dreadlocks were seldom worn by afrocentric African Americans in the 1960s and 1970s. Also, during their fashion shows, the Grandassa models didn't wear their hair in any other temporary natural styles such as braids or cornrolls. In those days, cornrolls were considered a fashion for young girls. And while women with afros usually braided their hair at night, it was almost unthinkable that we would venture outdoors with our hair in those braids.*

*Somewhat of an aside, I've consistently worn my hair in an afro since 1967, although the length of my afro has become considerable shorter in the passing decades.

In the summer of 1967, I participated in a Grandassa model fashion show during a street fair in New York City, along with a few other members of The Committee For Unified Newark (CFUN). My recollection is that this was an impromptu invitation because some of the models weren't available for that event. I wish I had thought to take photographs of that event, but even if I had, I probably would have lost them given how long ago that was.

Click https://yeyeolade.wordpress.com/2006/12/15/black-is-beautiful-2/
for a historical view of community opinions regarding the Grandassa models' afro hairstyles.

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DESCRIPTIONS OF THE GRANDASSA MODELS' FASHIONS
In the 1960s and 1970s, most African Americans had very little knowledge about or access to traditional African clothing. By "African clothing", I'm referring to and "West African" clothing, in particular clothing from Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Mali and I think that's what most African Americans in those decades meant when we referred to "African clothing".

Thanks to the internet, and in particular thanks to YouTube, it's very easy now for African Americans to view examples of traditional and contemporary African clothing. However, back then, afro-centric women kind of made it up as we went, and considered our clothing to be "African inspired" or "African styled" and not necessarily how Africans in Africa dressed. "African inspired" or "African styled are how the fashions worn by the Grandassa models are usually described.

I wrote "we" in the above statements because from 1969-1969 I was a member of The Committee For Unified Newark (CFUN), the Newark, New Jersey based afro-centric organization which was eventually led by poet, playwright, and activist, Amiri Baraka. Female members of CFUN always wore what we considered to be "African styled". For everyday clothing in warmer weather, women members of that organization wore a t-shirt, or sweatshirt and a wrap around skirt made from a piece of material (not necessarily African fabric. That material was tied with the two ends and never pinned. Alternatively, we would wrap the material around our body and tie it in the back of our neck as a dress. In colder weather, women would wear a long sleeve sweater or turtleneck sweater under the wrap around dress, or as the top of our wrap around skirt. Incidently, we called the tops "bubas" and the skirts "lapas", and thought that these were African terms for those garments. But I've no idea if those are "real" African words, and if so which language they are from.

For dressier occassions, the women in that afro-centric organization usually wore two piece skirt and tops that were ankle length & made from real or "fake" African material, or ankle length dresses that were made from the same types of material. On dressier occasions we also wore head wraps (geles) which might be tied West African fashion, with one or more end pieces hanging out. If we were fortunate, we had one or two real outfits from Africa, usually purchased from New York City, or Washington, D.C. But almost always we made our own African style clothing or had it made by an African American seamstress. Often the fabric that was used for those "African style" garments were "African print", that is fabric with a certain kinds of geometric designs. The photographs which are linked above show this fabric and the female clothing styles that I described with the significant difference that the dresses or skirts weren't ankle length but were all slightly above the knees. This was the most common dress & skirt length in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

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HEADWRAPS (GELES) [Revised on 1/24/2015]
A significant difference between Grandassa models and women who were members of CFUN is that, unlike CFUN women, Grandassa models don't appear to wear any headwraps. I don't recall those models wearing headwraps and they aren't wearing any headwraps (or anything else to cover up their afros) in photographs of those models that I've found.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/01/african-american-wearing-head-scarves.html for a pancocojams post that provides some historical information of African Americans wearing head scarves and showcases some how-to videos about tying head wraps.

I was fortunate to have many of my African outfits designed and sewn by Bisi Ogunleye, a Yoruba woman who was in the United States with her husband who was a student at the University of Pittsburgh. The fabrics that Bisi used for my winter "buba" (top) and "lapa" (skirt, in this case sewn with a drawstring instead of wrap around) were heavier than the fabric used for warmer weather garments.

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VIDEOS
I regret that I've not been able to find a video of the Grandassa models or any other afro-centric model group in the late 1960s or 1970s. However, here are two videos of an African fashion shows in the United States:

FashionAFRICANA at Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh



Uploaded by UtopiaFA on Jul 12, 2011

In 2004, FashionAFRICANA - a global celebration of design, dance and music - paid tribute to the Lost Boys of Sudan at the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh.

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MISS AFRICA USA FASHION PARADE



Uploaded by Missafricausa on Jan 28, 2010
Miss Africa USA Fashion Parade featuring designs by Estella Couture.

Artist: Dr. Victor & The Rasta Rebels - "Tsoang Tsoang Tsoang"
-snip-
In my opinion, Africa USA pageant which began in Georgia in 2005 may be the most well known inheritor of the legacy of the Grandassa models. It's therefore somewhat ironic that African Americans are ineligible to enter that pageant. As per the About Us page on Africa USA's website: "The pageant is open to delegates from all 53 countries that make up the continent of Africa, the motherland...Pageant delegates are simply ordinary women of African descent, who face the challenges of growing up in two different cultures, the American and the African".
For more information on Africa USA, click http://www.missafricaunitedstates.com/

ADDENDUM
In my opinion, a post about African American fashion shows in the 1960s and 1970s wouldn't be complete without mention of the Ebony Fashion Fair. Those touring Black fashion shows were sponsored from 1958-2010 by Johnson Publications, home of the long running Black oriented magazines Ebony and Jet. Unfortunately, budgetary concerns were the primary reason for the demise of the Ebony Fashion Fair.

Unlike the Grandassa fashion shows, Ebony Fashion Fair was known for its extravagent, glamorous, daring women's fashions, mostly from famous European designers. Whereas initially most of the Ebony Fashion Fair models were light brown skinned, in later years, its models were varying complexions. Yet, it's interesting that according to an article in Ebony magazine, one of the most popular Ebony Fashion Fair model was considered to be "dark skinned" (of course, given my previous comments, it's uncertain what that particular descriptor really means).

From http://www.ebonyfashionfair.com/assembled/history.html
"Terri Springer was the undisputed "star" of Ebony Fashion Fair from 1959-1964. Today many people still recall the grace and beauty of the regal, mocha-colored model. The daring and beautiful Springer hit the runway like she owned it with explosive drama and elegance. And during a day and age when women with dark skin weren't eager to wear bright colors, Springer wore bright colors as if they were made exclusively for her."
-snip-
Here's another comment about Terri Springer that I happened upon (Coincidentally, the writer is from a city that is very near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where I live).
From http://books.google.com/books?id=Ot4DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA14&lpg=PA14&dq=terri+springer+model&source=bl&ots=6jwEdnuwJ5&sig=lNRtTHGEWf8ggXPzcZkGYVFcipo&hl=en&ei=-13fTprZPMTr0gHii6zCBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDoQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=terri%20springer%20model&f=false
"Ebony - Dec 1964

Letter to editor: ...Why not articles on your Negro models? Terri Springer is a favorite of mine because she is a dark girl who has made it in a field formerly reserved only for whites. She is an inspiration to our dark girls who have been made to feel that their color is a disadvantage. (There are still some color conscious Negroes around even though sometimes they are reluctant to admit it. In addition to her, there are other models that your readers don’t even know exist because they are now modeling for top fashion houses etc. How about it?"
-Sally Carter, New Kensington, Pa"

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