Quite simply, she was the first. And the fact that her legacy shines bright 35 years after her passing, proves that she was the best. Josephine Baker is an icon for the ages.
There she is serving up half-naked glamor and singing in a birdcage decades before Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Pink, Fergie, any of those ladies who turned it out at the Grammys were even dreamed of.
La Baker wore her hair in myriad styles throughout her lifetime, but she is particularly remembered for wearing a short, sleek, cropped do, usually accented by curls or finger waves. The style she became known for back in the 1920's remains eternally wearable -- this same style has become the trademarks of contemporary stars like Halle Berry and Toni Braxton.
Josephine Baker remains a style icon, and there was more to the woman in the banana skirt than many may have imagined. I interviewed her son Jean-Claude some years back, and he revealed many of his dear maman's secrets. Click here to read.
Want to give tribute to Josephine Baker with your style? I recommend a dark berry lip and a bold, smoky eye. You'll also need a good hair gel -- Devacurl's Angell gives great hold without stickiness.
From the bouffant to the lacefront; from the hightop fade to the conk, black hairstyles have changed significantly over the years. See them all. Text by Angela Helm; Photo Editor, Monique Gray
While on a family vacation with Tom and Suri, Katie Holmes hit the beach near Rio de Janeiro in this blue one piece.
bauergriffinonline.com
Rihanna hits the stage at the NFL Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Concert in a pair of knee-high black boots. What do you think about the pop singer's look?
Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images for NFL
Mischa Barton wore this Elie Saab couture mint green gown to the Fashion Dinner for Aids at the Pavillon d'Armenonville. Is Mischa's look a hit or miss?
Eric Ryan, Getty Images
Heroes star Hayden Panettiere arrives at the NBC Universal Pre-Super Bowl event at Portofino in a black tuxedo jacket and dress with a plunging neckline. Is the Hollywood starlet hot or not?
Gerardo Mora, Getty Images
Diane Kruger wore Nina Ricci for the Fashion Dinner for Aids at the Pavillon d'Armenonville. Is her dress a mess or amazing?
Eric Ryan, Getty Images
Kim Kardashian opted for this floral strapless Tracey Reese dress for the 2009 Moves Magazine Super Bowl Party at The Venue Club. Let us know what you think about Kim's look.
Tim Boyles, Getty Images
Burlesque beauty Dita Von Teese wore an ice blue Elie Saab (left) satin dress at the Fashion Dinner for Aids at the Pavillon d'Armenonville.
Dominique Charriau, WireImage
Spanish actress Penelope Cruz appeared at the the 2009 Goya Cinema Awards in Madrid in this black lace Chanel gown. Is it a win or a loss?
Carlos Alvarez, Getty Images
Amy Adams wore a Jasmine di Milo gold and silver sequin backless dress and Christian Louboutin heels to the 61st Annual Directors Guild of America Awards.
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images
Being thousands of miles away didn't stop Meryl Streep from celebrating the inauguration. The actress wore this Catherine Malandrino flag dress to the Paris premiere of Doubt.
Nice article. I love the many different styles that are attributed to black hair despite the negative opinions some may have. Josephine Baker is a beauty. Yes, she was definitely doing her thing before Beyonce and Madonna. And was damn good at it too.
I just named her as a historical figure I'd like to meet--because she defined herself and did things her way, when women of all races were following rules and conforming! Brava!!
Josephine was more than a style icon or entertainer,despite the racial indignities she had to accept from her beloved America,she was a decorated French officer fighting in the resistance for the liberty of Free French and the free world in WWII.We owe her a great deal of respect and honor and not just for a hair do,which had to be short while in uniform and representing for what she stood for.Just post a photo of her in uniform and all will fall in place.
By: ADRIAN HARRIS OF SOUTH GEORGIA on 2/10/2010 2:53AM
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THANK YOU ALMIGHTY!!! FOR YOUR LITTLE BIT THAT IS OUR FOREVER!!! MASCULINE SALUTATIONS!!! MASTER!!! THE "LA BAKER(JOSEPHINE BAKER)" IS KNOWN FOR MORE THAN HER ENDURING HAIR STYLES!! KET US ALSO REMEMBER HER INCREDIBLE OTHER FIRSTS IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND!! SUCH AS BEING THE "FIRST WOMAN TO RECIEVE FRENCH MILITARY HONORS AT HER FUNERAL" AND "WAS DECORATED FOR HER UNDERCOVER WORK IN WORLD WAR II WITH THE FRENCH RESISTANCE(THE FAMOUS FRENCH UNDERGROUND)". SHE WAS ALSO THE "ADOPTIVE MOTHER OF MANY BLACK CHILDREN IN FRANCE". I HAD TO THROW THESE IN MY VICTORY MINDED SEPIA PEOPLE!!! SEEK PEACE AND READ AND DO ON, CAUSE GOD'S GONNA LOVE US ANYWAY!!! BYE!!!
Our chere Josephine paved the way for all of us who travel around the world. She opened the European hearts and minds to a new vision of Black Americans- entertaining yes, but classy, stylish, smart, courageous and a heart as big as the sky. I have made it my mission to share Josephine's amazing achievements, as well as other African-Americans, who expatriated to France. I am proud to show visitors where she lived and performed in Paris, and where her former chateau home is now an awe-inspiring permanent display of her life. Walking The Spirit Tours of Black Paris.
When you speak and think of the word "Diva" La Baker comes to mind first, after all she was the first Diva andshe defined it so well.And lets not forget that she started in the entertainment business Blacks could not make a substanial living doing just one thing (ie:singing) they did it all, singing,movies,broadway, concerts,ect.
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By: TruLov on 2/08/2010 12:30PM
Nice article. I love the many different styles that are attributed to black hair despite the negative opinions some may have. Josephine Baker is a beauty. Yes, she was definitely doing her thing before Beyonce and Madonna. And was damn good at it too.
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By: vdeberry on 2/08/2010 1:02PM
I just named her as a historical figure I'd like to meet--because she defined herself and did things her way, when women of all races were following rules and conforming! Brava!!
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By: Luvvie on 2/08/2010 1:09PM
Josephine Baker was SOOO FIERCE! Truly a style icon
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By: fabdogooder on 2/08/2010 1:18PM
She is an icon, and she was a trail blazer with not only her style but with her art as well. Thanks for spotlighting her!
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By: Paul Ratzel on 2/08/2010 2:59PM
Josephine was more than a style icon or entertainer,despite the racial indignities she
had to accept from her beloved America,she was a decorated French officer fighting in the resistance
for the liberty of Free French and the free world in WWII.We owe her a great deal of respect and honor and not just for a hair do,which had to be short while in uniform and representing for what she stood for.Just post a photo of her in uniform
and all will fall in place.
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By: ADRIAN HARRIS OF SOUTH GEORGIA on 2/10/2010 2:53AM
THANK YOU ALMIGHTY!!! FOR YOUR LITTLE BIT THAT IS OUR FOREVER!!! MASCULINE SALUTATIONS!!! MASTER!!! THE "LA BAKER(JOSEPHINE BAKER)" IS KNOWN FOR MORE THAN HER ENDURING HAIR STYLES!! KET US ALSO REMEMBER HER INCREDIBLE OTHER FIRSTS IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND!! SUCH AS BEING THE "FIRST WOMAN TO RECIEVE FRENCH MILITARY HONORS AT HER FUNERAL" AND "WAS DECORATED FOR HER UNDERCOVER WORK IN WORLD WAR II WITH THE FRENCH RESISTANCE(THE FAMOUS FRENCH UNDERGROUND)". SHE WAS ALSO THE "ADOPTIVE MOTHER OF MANY BLACK CHILDREN IN FRANCE". I HAD TO THROW THESE IN MY VICTORY MINDED SEPIA PEOPLE!!! SEEK PEACE AND READ AND DO ON, CAUSE GOD'S GONNA LOVE US ANYWAY!!! BYE!!!
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By: Julia Browne on 2/08/2010 10:45PM
Our chere Josephine paved the way for all of us who travel around the world. She opened the European hearts and minds to a new vision of Black Americans- entertaining yes, but classy, stylish, smart, courageous and a heart as big as the sky. I have made it my mission to share Josephine's amazing achievements, as well as other African-Americans, who expatriated to France. I am proud to show visitors where she lived and performed in Paris, and where her former chateau home is now an awe-inspiring permanent display of her life. Walking The Spirit Tours of Black Paris.
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By: Recklys on 2/09/2010 1:45AM
When you speak and think of the word "Diva" La Baker comes to mind first, after all she was the first Diva andshe defined it so well.And lets not forget that she started in the entertainment business Blacks could not make a substanial living doing just one thing (ie:singing) they did it all, singing,movies,broadway, concerts,ect.
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By: Alan King on 2/11/2010 7:11PM
"Black Men on Why They Do/Don't Trust Their Girlfriends To Handle Their Hair" Read it at http://wp.me/pC3Xj-cb
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