Black History Month Fashion Shows at Dunbar - Jupiter Hammon Public Library

FORT MYERS, Fla., March 14, 2006 – In celebration of Black History month, the Dunbar - Jupiter Hammon Public Library put on an impressive cultural celebration, Saturday, Feb. 18, including two African fashion shows, vocal and dance performances.

Washington D.C. area stylist Mariama Turay, originally from Sierra Leone, West Africa, not only explained fashions, but their origins and significance.

Jubilee Brainerd, manager of the Dunbar-Jupiter Hammon Public Library, and also originally from Sierra Leone, modeled some of the styles, along with her daughter and other local models. The show relied equally on models of all ages and sizes. Turay explained that in West Africa, all generations of a family live together. (photo DB7- M. Turay with microphone on far right, J. Brainerd center with little girl)

Each fashion narrative provided insight into the origin and meaning of various elements in the women’s and girls’ dresses. Some styles indicated that a girl was ready to be married and was looking for a “rich husband,” while others indicated she was looking for a “hard-working husband.” (photo DB4) Other styles indicated a woman’s status. Wedding dresses were also featured, but the Mother of the Bride dresses were even more impressive. In West Africa, it is expected for the mother of the bride to dress more elaborately than her daughter at the wedding. (photos DB2, DB5)

Although nearly all the designs were specific to Sierra Leone, some were actually borrowed from other West African countries. When Africans were brought to America, many of the different cultures learned about each other and incorporated some elements of each other’s tribal designs. (photo DB3)

A local designer also showed African-inspired fashions that are available in the community, and several community partners including church groups and a local school also participated in organizing the free event. The Friends of the Dunbar – Jupiter Hammon Public Library provided refreshments and hosted a book sale at a reception at the library following the show. It’s hoped the event will become an annual tradition.