Zelda Wynn Valdes
Encyclopedia
Zelda Wynn Valdes was an African-American fashion designer and costumer. In 1948, she opened her own shop on Broadway
in New York City
which was the first in the area to be owned by an African-American. Some of her clients included other notable black women of her era, including Dorothy Dandridge
and Marian Anderson
. She is also most famous for designing the original costumes for the Playboy Bunnies
and the Dance Theater of Harlem.
Broadway (New York City)
Broadway is a prominent avenue in New York City, United States, which runs through the full length of the borough of Manhattan and continues northward through the Bronx borough before terminating in Westchester County, New York. It is the oldest north–south main thoroughfare in the city, dating to...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
which was the first in the area to be owned by an African-American. Some of her clients included other notable black women of her era, including Dorothy Dandridge
Dorothy Dandridge
Dorothy Jean Dandridge was an American actress and popular singer, and was the first African-American to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress...
and Marian Anderson
Marian Anderson
Marian Anderson was an African-American contralto and one of the most celebrated singers of the twentieth century...
. She is also most famous for designing the original costumes for the Playboy Bunnies
Playboy Bunny
A Playboy Bunny is a waitress at the Playboy Club. The Playboy Clubs were originally open from 1960 to 1988. The Club re-opened in one location in The Palms Hotel in Las Vegas in 2006...
and the Dance Theater of Harlem.