In today’s world, many people work to make themselves “It” girls via social media. They might be the children of famous parents or just know how to gain followers with provocative Instagram posts, but just about anybody can be a “socialite” of sorts these days. But back in the day, the original “It” girl was Blanche Dunn. Born in Jamaica, Dunn came to the States in the 1920s and soon after, became a constant face and fashionista on the scene during the Harlem Renaissance. Not only was she beautiful, but she was exceptionally stylish. Check out five things you should know about the Harlem Renaissance-era actress and socialite.
She Was Mentored by a Fashion Designer Who Taught Her How to Dress Stylish
According to the book Black Women of the Harlem Renaissance Era, after arriving in New York city in 1926, Blanche met fashion designer Wilda Gunn. The designer ended up taking Blanche under her wing and taught her how to put together chic alphets. You could consider her an early muse of Gunn, as the designer’s teachings would go a long way in helping Blance turn heads uptown.
When She Wasn’t Being a Socialite, Blanche Dunn Was an Actress
Blanche tried her hand at acting. She was a showgirl for the Broadway musical Blackbirds. If you read our “5 Things to Know About Actress Nina Mae McKinney,” then you know that she got her break from having a similar role in the same play. As for Blanche, well, she got a check and became an insider on the Great White Way, showing up to a whole host of parties for the different shows that were going on. Blanche also had a small role in the 1933 Paul Robeson film, The Emperor Jones.
She Was a Consistent Subject of Famous Photog Carl Van Vechten
Even though he was White, photographer Carl Van Vechten took many pictures of up-and-coming Black actors, actresses and figures in their early years (Alvin Ailey, Josephine Baker, Lena Horne, and many more), particularly during the Harlem Renaissance. Blanche Dunn was a good friend of the writer and photog and was always invited to his legendary parties. She was also photographed on quite a few occasions by Vechten, posing for her friend as early as 1924 and as late as 1941.
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She Was the Life of the Party
According to Richard Bruce Nugent, an iconic writer and painter of the Harlem Renaissance (who was in the friend circle of Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes), Blanche Dunn was, as we would probably say today, the queen of the turn up. He said that “a party was not a party, a place not a place, without Blanche.” Tables were always reserved for her at popular nightclubs in Harlem like the Hot Cha, she was invited to parties hosted by Salvador Dali, and she was also a mainstay at Broadway first night parties.
You Could Find Her Traveling Around the World
As writer Linda M. Carter put it in Black Women of the Harlem Renaissance Era, “Dunn’s beauty, personality, and sophistication enabled her to wear expensive clothes, shop in Paris, and travel to other European locales.” Blanche’s appeal (including to an ex-boyfriend who was a British oil magnate) allowed her the chance take nine-month vacations to Europe and travel frequently. When she finally tied the knot, Blanche and her husband relocated and settled down in Capri.
