The Unsung Icons of Black Women’s Fashion

PAT EVANS

As if it weren’t already hard enough to be black in the late ‘70s, imagine the jarring criticism relayed to black women trying to set themselves apart in the modeling world. Many African American models got their start thanks to fairer skin and long straight hair, an attempt to promote European attributes, and to disguise African features. But while most conformed to the industry’s attempts to whitewash them, model Pat Evans decided to rebel against the status quo of fashion and assumed femininity by showing off her shiny chrome dome. Angered by the constant pressure to turn her fro into uncurving locs, and the lack of black representation in model management, Evans cut all her hair off. This move gained her more notoriety and even more bookings than ever before. The paradigm for black pride and confidence, Evans wore her bald head as a crown, accentuated by her audacious style, which included flowing dresses, furs, statement jewelry and feathered, dramatic eyelashes. She was so fine bald, the Ohio Players gave her a coveted cover on one of their albums.