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entertainment10h ago
A Rare Find Reminds A Vintage Dealer of a Forgotten 20th Century Designer
- A black satin gown bearing Zelda Wynn Valdes's label was found in an estate sale by vintage curator Brie Zabierek.
- Z Wynn Valdes designed for stars like Ella Fitzgerald and Eartha Kitt, shaping iconic stage costumes.
- The designer helped create the signature looks that boosted the images of Black performers on stage and screen.
- Her influence extended to later fashion moments, with gowns echoing Wynn Valdes designs seen at major events in 2025 and 2026.
- The gown's provenance highlights the broader effort to recognize and preserve forgotten Black designers.
- The store founder described Wynn Valdes as a mythical figure whose work had not been widely available or exhibited.
- Zabierek emphasized the value of vintage and archival fashion education over chasing well-known brands.
- The gown's current status is unsold, seen as worthy of a special home or exhibition rather than casual sale.
- The discovery underscores the ongoing narrative of forgotten designers influencing modern fashion discourse.
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