When Josephine Baker was cited by Miuccia Prada as one of the key inspirations behind the Prada SS10 RTW collection, it was inevitable the icon would enjoy somewhat of a Renaissance. Actress, singer, entertainer, spy, civil rights activist and sauce-pot, La Baker was a woman well ahead of her time.
The daughter of two African-American slaves, Baker’s early years were spent working as a servant girl, often in abusive environments. She ran away, becoming a ‘street kid’ in the slums of St. Louis. It was here that Baker began dancing – on the corners of streets – and before long, she was snapped up by vaudeville shows and even Broadway. By the time she turned eighteen, she was the highest paid chorus girl in vaudeville, though her popularity soared the highest in France, where she quickly emigrated to.
La Baker is perhaps best known for her political efforts: helping resistance movements in Nazi-occupied France (she would transmit messages, written in invisible ink, on her sheet music) and later, in the American Civil Rights Movement. She was even asked to become leader of the Movement following the assassination of Martin Luther King – but declined, in order to look after her adopted children: twelve multi-ethnic orphans dubbed ‘The Rainbow Tribe’.
Returning to her style credentials, Baker’s strongest point of influence is probably her attitude, rather than any specific garment of clothing she wore (though her infamous ‘banana skirt’, above, is pretty damn iconic). Baker’s performances, style and life was infused with a potent mixture of bravery, boldness, opulence and a fierce (almost aggressive) sexuality – personified by her pet cheetah, which appeared onstage beside her.
Personally I’ve always loved jazz age glamour – so I will be welcoming the return finger curled hair and the like come next summer. The bold, bright block colours and exotic prints used by Prada are something not so heavily represented in my wardrobe, however – but they could be just what I need to inject a new lease of life into the twenties look. Next summer the flapper girl goes fierce – true to the spirit of Josephine Baker.
Rosa Abbott is an arts, fashion and culture obsessive originating from Yorkshire, England, and currently living in Dublin, Ireland. On top of being a student at the illustrious Trinity College, she is a freelance journalist, writing for a number of Irish publications, and also edits the visual arts section of entertainment magazine Totally Dublin.
When she’s not up to her eyeballs in writing, Rosa works as an assistant to stylist Aisling Farinella and volunteers at various art galleries. Her musings on life, style and art can also be found over at her blog, Too Gallant.
