Kwame Brathwaite's "Black is Beautiful" at Maison de la photographie Robert-Doisneau, Gentilly
The Maison de la photographie Robert-Doisneau in Gentilly is showing "Black is Beautiful," an exhibition of work by Kwame Brathwaite, through 14 March 2027. The photographs document a January 1962 evening at a Harlem club, where young Black women who had been rejected by every modeling agency in New York took part in a fashion show. The women were turned away because their skin was considered too dark and their hair was not straightened. They wore African hairstyles and hand-sewn clothing. The venue was so crowded that a second session had to be added the same evening. Brathwaite was present to record the event. The exhibition is held at 1 rue de la Division-du-Général-Leclerc, 94250 Gentilly, accessible via RER B Gentilly. Opening hours are Wednesday to Friday from 1:30pm to 6:30pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 1:30pm to 7pm. Admission is free.
Key facts
- "Black is Beautiful" by Kwame Brathwaite is on view at the Maison de la photographie Robert-Doisneau in Gentilly until 14 March 2027.
- The photographs depict a January 1962 fashion show at a Harlem club.
- The models were young Black women rejected by all New York modeling agencies.
- Agencies rejected them because their skin was deemed too dark and their hair was not straightened.
- The models wore African hairstyles and hand-sewn garments.
- The event was so crowded that a second session was added the same evening.
- Kwame Brathwaite photographed the event.
- The venue is at 1 rue de la Division-du-Général-Leclerc, 94250 Gentilly, near RER B Gentilly; hours are Wed–Fri 1:30–6:30pm and Sat–Sun 1:30–7pm, with free entry.
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- Maison de la photographie Robert-Doisneau
Locations
- Gentilly
- France
- Harlem
- New York
- United States