Zelda Barbour Wynn Valdes was an African American fashion designer, responsible for capturing the the woman's bare silhouette. With her mermaid corset-like designs, Zelda created costumes for many broadway productions, Hollywood stars and even designed the iconic Play Boy Bunny costumes that sexually accentuated the woman's body in the most elegant manner. Many of her designs exemplified sophistication and high-class. In addition, Zelda is famous for her low-cut body contouring mermaid dresses that helped many American stars make names for themselves in Hollywood. Zelda designed the wedding dress for, Jazz singer Nat King Cole's wife, Maria Ellington. She even helped cabaret singer Joyce Bryant electrify her career and standout from the many singers of the time by: not just designing her dress but also by giving her fashion advice that earned her the title "Black Merlyn Monroe". Zelda was also the first Black woman to work as a sales clerk, tailor and have a boutique on Broadway in Manhattan, New York City (The fashion capital of America).
Sources:
“Zelda Barbour Wynn Valdes, the Great, 1905 – 2001.” Harlem World Magazine, 20 Oct. 2014,
Wilson, Julee. “The Woman behind the Iconic Playboy Bunny Outfit ...” HuffPost, HuffPost, 7 Dec. 2017,
Knapp, Francky. “Credit Is Due for America’s Black Couturiers.” Messy Nessy Chic, 2 Feb. 2024,
Square, Jonathan Michael. “The Life and Work of Ruby Bailey, Zelda Wynn Valdes, and Ann Lowe.” The Fashion Studies Journal, The Fashion Studies Journal, 19 Sept. 2018,
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