Black History in Fashion: Stephen Burrows

Stephen Burrows is a true Style & Grace Icon, he is the first African-American designer to achieve international acclaim with his signature palate of vibrant colors and an approach to cut and modern silhouettes that has kept him at the forefront of fashion.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Burrows graduated from FIT in 1966. He partied with Warhol and the Studio 54 crowd, to which he made a name for himself by designing for the club going crowd. His creations sold successfully at O, a Manhattan gallery-boutique and at ‘Stephen Burrows’ World,’ an atelier at the basement of Henri Bendel.
 
As a young designer, Burrows changed the way the world looks at American fashion when he was invited alongside such names as Bill Blass, Oscar de la Renta, Halston and Anne Klein to show his collection in France along with French couturiers, on the runway at Versailles.

Running a very successful business during the disco heydays during the 1970s, his fortunes changed in 1982. For almost two decades, he concentrated on designing for the theater. To learn more about Stephen check out his website: http://www.stephenburrows.com/