Arthur McGee, Design Trailblazer

ca. 1950

Arthur McGee inspired generations of Black fashion designers.

Arthur McGee (1933–2019) was an accomplished and innovative fashion designer from Detroit, Michigan. He was the first African American to run a design studio at a major clothing company—Bobbie Brooks, Inc.—in New York City’s Garment District.

McGee began his career in the 1950s, and most major luxury department stores carried his designs. Throughout his career, McGee dressed celebrities including Cicely Tyson, Arthur Mitchell, Diahann Carroll, and Eartha Kitt. He also designed costumes for theater and film, including the James Bond movie Live and Let Die.

McGee created these culottes, also known as palazzo pants. They are made of brown and blue wool plaid fabric and are designed to hang like a skirt.