Through over 150 color and black and white photgraphs and an engaging, informed text Black Beauty offers its readers an intimate look at the ever-changing definition of black beauty during the last one hundred years. Former architect turned model turned journalist Ben Arogundade discusses the position of blacks within the beauty hierarchy of the West, as well as the kinds of work available to black models, and the way in which certain styles of black beauty have been promoted above others. In considering black icons and celebrities from Marcus Garvey, Josephine Baker, and Muhammad Ali to Billy Dee Williams, Grace Jones and Lauryn Hill, Black Beauty reveals the many differing images of those who have embodied black beauty in our culture. Portraits by Herb Ritts, Albert Watson, Richard Avedon, and other eminent photographers are included in this stunning compilation.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"[O]ffers a visual history of the varieties of black beauty with striking artwork and lavish photographs of cultural heavyweights." -- Helen Frangoulis, Playboy
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More About the Author
I am an author and creative director of limited edition books. I was born in London in 1965 to Nigerian parents. I originally wanted to be a footballer, but my father wanted me to have an academic career instead. So I trained as an architect. My first job as a young graduate was working on drawings for the Oxo Tower building on London's South Bank, adjacent to the Tate.
In 2000 I wrote my first book, 'Black Beauty' - an exploration of society's historical perceptions of the black image -- which later became the subject of a three-part BBC documentary. Following this I worked as a voiceover artist before becoming creative director at Gloria books, publishers of luxury limited edition photography books. I produced four titles while there -- 'Pele', 'Superyacht', 'New York' and 'Gerald Scarfe on the Wall'.
In July 2011 I wrote 'The Shakespeare Mash-up', and published it under my own imprint, AROGUNDADE Books. It 'remixes' the Bard's work, almost like a literary DJ if you like, and then reassemble the components to create a dramatic new story. Most recently I have released a digital edition of 'Black Beauty', as well as my debut novel 'The Sexual Language of Strangers'.
I see myself only partially as a writer - it is but one facet of a myriad of creative things that I am interested in. I hope to master as many of them as I can in the coming years. Hope you like them.
In 2000 I wrote my first book, 'Black Beauty' - an exploration of society's historical perceptions of the black image -- which later became the subject of a three-part BBC documentary. Following this I worked as a voiceover artist before becoming creative director at Gloria books, publishers of luxury limited edition photography books. I produced four titles while there -- 'Pele', 'Superyacht', 'New York' and 'Gerald Scarfe on the Wall'.
In July 2011 I wrote 'The Shakespeare Mash-up', and published it under my own imprint, AROGUNDADE Books. It 'remixes' the Bard's work, almost like a literary DJ if you like, and then reassemble the components to create a dramatic new story. Most recently I have released a digital edition of 'Black Beauty', as well as my debut novel 'The Sexual Language of Strangers'.
I see myself only partially as a writer - it is but one facet of a myriad of creative things that I am interested in. I hope to master as many of them as I can in the coming years. Hope you like them.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Let's Finally Celebrate,
This review is from: Black Beauty: A History and Celebration (Hardcover)
A history and a celebration indeed. This book is exquisitely fascinating and absolutely beautiful; it's BREATHTAKING and will leave you completely speechless. From an informative history of black beauty and fashion and how it has been perceived throughout the years by the media to wonderful images of black icons like Mohammed Ali, Wesley Snipes, Lauryn Hill and Josephine Baker. It features not only the prominent faces of today but the icons of yesteryear who were our fore fathers and mothers in the shaping of what black beauty is today. This is a must have for every coffee table in every proud household; a must have for any lover of photography and the beauty of fashion and media icons. To say that this book is captivating is a complete understatement. Every time I look through the pages of this beautiful book, I'm proud and grateful that finally, the world is coming to see that WE ARE A BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Well researched coffee table book,
By A Customer
This review is from: Black Beauty: A History and Celebration (Hardcover)
From its striking cover photo of Grace Jones, to its fact-based, somewhat colorful prose, this is a fascinating book on a controversial subject - black is beautiful - or is it. Mr. Arogundade says it is - and for the most part he's right. He clearly discusses on the history of beauty in the black diaspora, and how it has survived, despite European influences and attempts to define it...the pictures speak for themselves...the subjects are quite stunning...I think it is a great book for black people of all ages, and for non-blacks who are simply curious as to know what defines black beauty...
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Black History: A History and a Celebration,
By MARVIN WOODS (Ft Lauderdale, FL) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Black Beauty: A History and Celebration (Hardcover)
I believe this book is well written and filled with great insight and photos. I found that it gave a good look at some of our heros, and their obsticles that they had to over come before they could revel in the glory of greatness. It also show's some of our struggles as a people of color and how we have made positive progress over the last 100 years. This book offers inspiration because the author himself (from what I understand) had finished his studies to be an architect, and couldn't find steady work in his field. He then stumbled into modeling by chance. After an unsuccessful business venture of his own, not to be beaten Ben pushed forward and successfully rallied to writing and having his work published by a major publishing company I say hats off to him. Congradulations Ben!Job well done. His perserverance and tenacity goes along with the people inside this book that he has written about. Lastly, I definetly recommend this book for all... This is precise and concious writing and it is not just for people of color and who happened to live in the United States. We can all gain something from this book.
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Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Inside This Book
(learn more)
First Sentence:
IN 1810 THE NAKED, CAGED BODY OF Saartje Baartman - a 25-year-old slave from the Cape Colony - was put on display in London and Paris. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
white beauty values, aesthetic transfer, first black model, black physiognomy, global beauty, blond ambition, black beauty, black models Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, Civil Rights, Naomi Campbell, Josephine Baker, Little Richard, Grace Jones, Bob Marley, Naomi Sims, Marvin Gaye, Alek Wek, Dorothy Dandridge, Harper's Bazaar, Sidney Poitier, American Vogue, Michael Jackson, The Supremes, James Brown, Jean-Paul Goude, Marilyn Monroe, Martin Luther King, New World, Billie Holiday, Diahann Carroll, Donyale Luna, Harry Belafonte New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
IN 1810 THE NAKED, CAGED BODY OF Saartje Baartman - a 25-year-old slave from the Cape Colony - was put on display in London and Paris. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
white beauty values, aesthetic transfer, first black model, black physiognomy, global beauty, blond ambition, black beauty, black models Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, Civil Rights, Naomi Campbell, Josephine Baker, Little Richard, Grace Jones, Bob Marley, Naomi Sims, Marvin Gaye, Alek Wek, Dorothy Dandridge, Harper's Bazaar, Sidney Poitier, American Vogue, Michael Jackson, The Supremes, James Brown, Jean-Paul Goude, Marilyn Monroe, Martin Luther King, New World, Billie Holiday, Diahann Carroll, Donyale Luna, Harry Belafonte New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 64
books:
See all 64 books this book cites
2
books
cite this book:
- Bob Marley by Stephen Davis on 4 pages
- Island in the Sun (Picture Puffins) by Harry Belafonte on page 59, page 60, and Back Matter
- Marcus Garvey by Daniel S. Davis on page 53, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Jimi Hendrix by Longmeadow Press in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Denzel Washington (Black Americans of Achievement) by Anne E. Hill in Front Matter, and page 120
See all 64 books this book cites
- Tuning Out Blackness: Race and Nation in the History of Puerto Rican Television (Console-ing Passions) by Yeidy Rivero in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Body, Sexuality, and Gender: Versions and Subversions in African Literatures 1 (Matatu, Numbers 29-30) by Flore Veit-Wild on page 181, and page 184
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