Black Beauty

Through over 150 color and black and white photgraphs and an engaging, informed text Black Beauty offers its readers an intimate look at the ever-changing definition of black beauty during the last one hundred years. Former architect turned model turned journalist Ben Arogundade discusses the position of blacks within the beauty hierarchy of the West, as well as the kinds of work available to black models, and the way in which certain styles of black beauty have been promoted above others. In considering black icons and celebrities from Marcus Garvey, Josephine Baker, and Muhammad Ali to Billy Dee Williams, Grace Jones and Lauryn Hill, Black Beauty reveals the many differing images of those who have embodied black beauty in our culture. Portraits by Herb Ritts, Albert Watson, Richard Avedon, and other eminent photographers are included in this stunning compilation.