The America Civil War was from 1861-1865. Many free blacks in the North were wearing the fashions long before that..
During this Reconstruction, women were gaining a sense of self that extended beyond their households. While the country was divided over racial issues, black women being educated on home care and on the fashions of the times. There were schools for black young ladies to learn the decorum of the day, They were taught how to dress in the latest Victorian fashion and how to present themselves in public. Learning the proper social graces would help then in gaining better position in life for them and their family.
Young Black Victorians in late 19th Century America were optimistic, and hungry for culture and education. Manners ruled the day (and manners ruled with an iron fist). It was an era where ladies were ladies, men were gentlemen and corsets were worn tight.
During Google search of the Black Victoriana, I came across some of the most beautiful photographs of the African descent wearing Victorian fashions, I was so impressed that these photographs were taken and still in existence for our heritage to value and hold on to..
http://vintageblackfolk.wordpress.com/19th-century-portraits/
http://www.ipernity.com/doc/285591/album/397459
One of the first of these photographs that I came across was taken of the beautiful and talented Sissieretta Jones. I was inspired by how well dressed she was for the times. These photographs are very important because they document an aspect of black history that is generally never spoken of.
Matilda Sissieretta Joyner Jones, known as Sissieretta Jones, (January 5, 1868 or 1869 – June 24,1933) was an African-American soprano. She sometimes was called "The Black Patti" in reference to Italian opera singer Adelina Patti. Jones' repertoire included grand opera, light opera, and popular music.
Elizabeth Jennings Graham photo source: Kansas Historical Foundation, photo circa 1854-1860
(1830-1901) Elizabeth Jennings was a New York City schoolteacher whose 1854 defiance of a streetcar conductor’s order to leave his car helped desegregate public transit in New York City. With the help of her prominent father, the wealthy businessman Thomas L. Jennings, she filed and won a lawsuit against the streetcar company. Thomas L. Jennings, the first African-American to win a patent, owned a large clothing store and co-founded the famous Abyssinian Baptist Church.
At this point, I should bring to your attention of the many
Black Women and Business Leaders of the 1800s And 1900s.
Christina Carteaux Bannister, businesswoman and “hair doctress”
Christina Carteaux Bannister (pictured right)
Amassing serious wealth as a self-proclaimed “hair doctress,” Bannister married Canadian-born painter Edward Bannister and supported her husband as he became a successful Black artist. The couple were friends and lived with abolitionist Lewis Hayden and helped provide support to the Underground Railroad.
David Ruggles, owner of first African-American bookstore
Abolitionist and journalist David Ruggles was instrumental in the liberation of slaves as part of the famous Underground Railroad. After learning Latin from a tutor who attended Yale University, Ruggles would go on to publish works as a printer. A contributing journalist to popular papers of the time, Ruggles most-notable achievement was opening the first Black-owned bookstore in New York City.
Harriet E. Wilson, first African-American female novelist
http://debatesthatmatter.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-top-black-business-leaders-of-1800s.html
My research is on going. There is so much to learn. I will be adding more to this post as I find it. Also please feel free to comment and give inspiration to this post.
