Remembering Versailles: A Fashion Revolution

On November 28, 1973, during a time when African-American models did not walk the runway, a single fashion show held in a French castle called Versailles put a new kind of modeling on the runway.  Five French fashion designers and five American fashion designers participated in the fashion show that became known as the “Battle of Versailles.”  This event was documented by filmmaker Deborah Riley Draper in Versailles '73: American Runway Revolution.  The purpose of the event was to raise funds for the restoration of the castle that had been destroyed by termites. At the time, 11 African-American models did not know that they were breaking a racial barrier, let alone changing the face of fashion forever.  Esince Management Services will commemorate the 40th anniversary of this fashion event and celebrate the historical mark of African-American models on the runway.

Read the full story over at Chattanoogan.com.