⭐Style Icon: Helen Williams

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Helen Williams was born in East Riverton, New Jersey in 1937. She is best known for being the first black mainstream (commercial) fashion model. Helen made her mark in America and Paris in the 1950’s and 60’s. 

There were others that came before her, but there was a little more to this lady. At the age of 17, she caught the attention of Lena Horne and Sammy Davis Jr, who encourage her modeling career.  Following the encouragement, Helen worked with Ophelia DeVore.  This was an awesome match because Ophelia had opened, Grace Demarco Modeling Agency, {first black modeling agency}. After etiquette learning and preparing for the world stage, Helen Williams took the world by storm. She broke racial barriers for dark skin woman {whom were considered ugly in America}.

  Helen represented change, with grace and authority. Her beauty was spread across the world through ads and brands including Jet magazine, Ebony magazine, Sears, Christian Dior and Jean Desses. Helen William was the ‘it’ girl of her time.

 

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Photos were hard to come by or share, so I screen shot most of them via Google.  You can find Helen Williams' beauty on Google and Pinterest {quickest search options}.

Bio Information Sources: 

http://www.arogundade.com/helen-williams-the-first-black-female-fashion-model.html

http://www.stalletto.com/helen-williams/ 

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I encourage you to discover more about this beautiful woman. 😉