Grandassa Models: Beautiful, Black History
Still Being Made
The celebrated couple, jazz drummer Max Roach and vocalist Abbey Lincoln, toured by bus with the Grandassa models and AJASS producers, helping to present the Naturally shows to sold-out venues across the nation. Many Black women were enthused, many more were intrigued, but cautious. “The Grandassa Models paved the way for these women,” said Bob Gumbs, “because it was challenging at that time.
Kwame Brathwaite, Grandassa models
and the legacy of black is beautiful
Born to Bajan parents, the Brooklyn based artists, along with his brother, Elombe Brath, created the Black is Beautiful campaign.
Grandassa Models collection 1963-1968
The Grandassa Models Collection consists of printed material regarding the formation of fashion shows that featured these models and included African dancers and theatrical performances. Included are flyers, brochures, and posters that promoted the fashion shows