Celebrating Stephen Burrows On The 50th Anniversary of The Battle of Versailles
Today marks the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Versailles, an event that marked a shift in America’s influence and diversity in the fashion industry. Organized by public relations specialist Eleanor Lambert and held in 1973, the Grand Divertissement à Versailles was a tony charity event designed to raise money for the restoration of the historic palace. The main entertainment of the evening was a display of fashion by five French couturiers (Marc Bohan for Christian Dior, Pierre Cardin, Hubert de Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent, and Emanuel Ungaro), and their invited guests, the five American designers Bill Blass, Stephen Burrows, Oscar de la Renta, Halston, and Anne Klein.
Stephen Burrows was the only Black designer who participated in Versailles in 1973. His designs exploded with color and encouraged movement, as they slid over the body like a second skin. He was a front-runner with a totally American design signature, which was almost unheard of on Seventh Avenue where designers seasonally buy and copy French clothes. Burrows’s modern art colors, used in huge blocks and lettuce hems dazzled Paris. Not only did he bring his most impressive fashion designs, he also brought 11 Black models to be included in the show - a groundbreaking move at the time and still is today.
To celebrate Stephen Burrow’s championing moves and contributions to fashion, his alma mater the Fashion Institute of Technology held a 50th anniversary celebration in his honor. The event featured the showing of a documentary produced by Gwen Sergeant, the founder of Fashion & Arts Xchange, Inc. (FAX), and a panel discussion moderated by industry-businesswoman Harriette Cole with former Saks executive Nicole Fischelis, EBONY Fashion Fair coordinator Audrey Smaltz, fashion model Alva China, fashion stylist Freddie Leiba and dancer Norma Jean Darden. Remarks were also give by former Essence editor Constance White and fellow designer Carly Cushnie.
Costumes & Coffee was lucky enough to speak to Mr. Burrows backstage who said: “This is truly an honor.”
For more on this legendary event and Stephen Burrows, check out The Battle of Versailles: The Night American Fashion Stumbled into the Spotlight and Made History by The Washington Times fashion editor Robin Givhan.
