Supreme glamour

The Supremes were as known for their fashion as they were for their sound. Founding member Wilson showcases 32 gowns from her collection, bookended by chapters written by Wilson and music biographer Bego detailing the group's formation in 1950s Detroit to their final performance in 1977, including archival photos of the Supremes onstage, in photo shoots, and behind the scenes. Music fans will enjoy Wilson's insider perspective on Motown and the interactions between the group's fluctuating members, while those with an interest in fashion will be dazzled by the glossy, full-color photos of the gowns. Captions include the designer name and descriptions of the material and embellishments, as well as when, where, and by whom the dress was worn. Some original designer sketches are also included, as are lists of the gowns' appearances in print and on album covers, biographies of mentors and fashion designers, and a discography. A foreword by Whoopi Goldberg provides additional perspective on the Supremes' influence on a generation of Black women. Recommended for public and academic libraries.--Lindsay Harmon Copyright 2019 Booklist

Wilson, one of the original members of the Supremes, shares her collection of some of the lavish costumes she flaunted throughout the 1960s and '70's. The 32 pieces exhibit evolving fashion trends, from simple beginnings with matte jersey dresses worn in 1964 to promote the Supremes' first Billboard #1 hit "Where Did Our Love Go" to fully sequined gowns worn during one of their several appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show. Wilson shares dozens of photos that illustrate the Supremes' changing looks that paralleled the group's rise to fame, starting from the girls' humble beginnings as Detroit high schoolers performing in homemade dresses as the Primettes. Wilson shares fun anecdotes as the Supremes gained popularity: when the group performed at the Copacabana for the first time, Wilson recalls that the blue satin dresses with flower appliqués "looked great initially," but on stage, "the huge flowers appeared gaudy," and the feathers "constantly poked and tickled" the girls throughout the show. Later, in the '70s, while Wilson faced heartbreak as the sole original member left in the Supremes, she embraced Afro hairstyles in celebration of black pride and new disco fashions, such as fringed pantsuits. Both entertaining and aesthetically pleasing, this book will appeal to Supremes fans and vintage fashion enthusiasts alike. (Sept.)