Dazzling Zelda - by Aura Lewis (Hardcover)

About the Book

"The dazzling true story of Black fashion icon and design pioneer Zelda Wynn Valdes, whose dresses, gowns, and costumes helped make people shine"--

Book Synopsis

In this lustrous nonfiction picture book biography, meet Black fashion icon and design pioneer Zelda Wynn Valdes, whose dresses, gowns, and costumes helped make people shine.

Zelda grew up watching her grandmother at the sewing machine, until she decided her grandmother deserved a pretty dress of her own--and Zelda was going to make it herself. Snip, snap, sew! The dress was sensational! Her grandmother glowed, her family was dazzled, and Zelda fell in love with sewing, sequins, and style. She began to dream of designing dresses that made people everywhere feel beautiful.

Zelda started off patching and mending at a tailor shop and making dresses when she could. The 1950s fashion world was run by white designers, and people weren't used to Black women like Zelda making a name for themselves. But Zelda knew she could do it. Eventually, her designs became so popular that Zelda opened her very own boutique in New York City! People of all backgrounds and sizes came to Zelda's store, and she dressed them for every occasion.

She continued to wow crowds, magazines, critics, and celebrities with her designs. She made gowns for famous singers like Ella Fitzgerald, costumes for Broadway shows, and tights for ballerinas that matched the dancers' skin tones. Zelda was a star, and with every sketch, stitch, and design, she gave people a way to dazzle!

Review Quotes

"An upbeat, inspiring biography of a gifted and forward-thinking designer."--Kirkus Review "7/15/24"

This upbeat picture-book biography follows [Zelda Wynn Valdes'] career from sewing on patches in her uncle's tailor shop to her increasing celebrity as a skilled creator of dazzling gowns worn by Broadway performers and superstars.--Booklist "6/1/24"

About the Author

Aura Lewis studied design at Parsons School of Design as well as illustration at the School of Visual Arts. She is inspired by fashion, playful color, vintage design, and popular culture, and her work is featured on stationery, in ad campaigns and editorial publications, and in books for adults and children, including A Curious Mind and A Very Big Heart, The Illustrated Feminist, and We the People. Aura loves to travel the world, and so far, she has lived on four continents. You can find her work at AuraLewis.com.

Farai Simoyi is a fashion designer and executive who has designed and consulted for some of the most internationally recognized fashion brands, industry staples, and celebrities. Her mission is to promote design work, global fashion development, and sustainability while elevating artisans and designers through her company, The Narativ House. Learn more at FaraiSimoyi.com.