Ava Wilson, The Cages of Glamour, 2026

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This collection explores the idea of redefining and reimagining Black glamour through historical research, material experimentation, and African American culture. At the center of this collection is the question of what Black glamour means, both visually and culturally. For me, glamour represents resilience and transformation, as Black women have constructed spaces that did not always allow them to fully exist. Taking inspiration from Diana Ross, Donna Summers, and Eartha Kitt, each of these women challenged and embodied the ideas of glamour through femininity while engaging with race. Alongside research from the book Vintage Black Glamour, which documents the beauty and sophistication of Black style throughout history. This collection pays homage to the past by honoring the lineage of black fashion, while looking towards the future.