Macy’s Salutes the Culture-Defining Soul Era of Black Style in Celebration of Black History Month 2015

Macy’s brings together June Ambrose and Johnette Boone at eight stores nationwide for inspiring discussions on culture and fashion influence

This February, culture-defining trends take center stage as Macy’s examines the Soul Era of Black Style in celebration of Black History Month. From elegant high glamour to the hottest looks on the street, Black Style has influenced trends and designers that have shaped American and global culture. Celebrity fashion stylists and designers June Ambrose and Johnetta Boone will lead a panel discussion on Soul Era style and take a look back at the fashion, accessories and attitude that rocked the runways of the ‘60s and ‘70s, which had an undeniable effect on the way people look and dress today.

Antigua-born June Ambrose is a celebrity fashion stylist and costume designer and has worked with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry for the past 22 years.  Author of the book “Effortless Style,” and star of her own reality show “Styled by June”, Ambrose has won numerous awards in recognition for her contributions to the fashion and music industry. Ambrose recently celebrated the launch of her “June by June Ambrose” collection.

“As a retailer with more than 150 years of fashion history, Macy’s has seen the evolution of Black Style first hand and we are thrilled to recognize and celebrate the style icons and trends of the Soul Era in honor of Black History Month,” said Dineen Garcia, Macy’s vice president of diversity strategies. “As part of our annual celebration, this series of events will take a look at the cultural and historical contributions made by African Americans throughout the ‘60s and ‘70s—a defining era in fashion history.”

June Ambrose is a celebrity fashion stylist and costume designer and has worked with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry for the past 22 years. Author of the book “Effortless Style,” Ambrose has won numerous awards in recognition for her contributions to the fashion and music industry. Ambrose recently celebrated the launch of her “June by June Ambrose” collection.

“I’m excited to be working with Macy’s as we celebrate and recognize revolutionary African American designers and style icons that inspired me as child and my own experiences through fashion,”~ June Ambrose.

For more than three decades, Johnetta Boone has served as fashion stylist and costume designer for editorial and print campaigns, television shows, national commercials and feature films. Some of her most notable costume designs can be seen in Cadillac Records, Tyler Perry’s Temptation, The Notebook and a host of others. In addition, Boone also designs a clothing line entitled Z2 Wear.

“With the broad explosion of freedom in the late 60s and 70s, many fashion designers and musical artists reached for higher realms of expression in dress, inspired by Black Style,” said Johnetta Boone. “It was all about pure fun. Bright, exuberant color showcased excitement like never before, both in prints and in fabrication. Shapes and lengths were no longer dictated by previous tastes. Men wore their hair long and sported exciting patterns, while women’s style took a more daring turn for the time with shorter skirts and midriff-baring tops.”

Following the panel discussion, Macy’s will host a customer reception along with an informal fashion show of re-created trends from the Soul Era.

From Feb. 1 through 28, visit macys.com/celebrate to enter for the chance to win a trip for two to New York City, the style capital of the world, a Macy’s shopping spree and a makeover by celebrity stylist, June Ambrose!*  (*Please visit macys.com/celebrate for complete entry rules or visit the event store for more information).

Below are the stores and select information for Macy’s – Soul Era of Black Style events:

Macy’s Herald Square – New York – Feb. 4 at 6 p.m.
Macy’s Lenox Square – Atlanta – Feb. 6 at 7 p.m.
Macy’s Aventura – Miami – Feb. 7 at 2 p.m.
Macy’s Center City – Philadelphia – Feb. 11 at 5 p.m.
Macy’s Metro Center – Washington, D.C. – Feb. 12 at 5:30 p.m.
Macy’s State Street – Chicago – Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m.
Macy’s Union Square – San Francisco – Feb. 25 at 6 p.m.
Macy’s Baldwin Hills – Los Angeles – Feb. 26 at 6:30 p.m.

For a complete listing of Macy’s Black History Month events, please visit macys.com/celebrate.

RCS Editor’s Note:  June Ambrose has styled some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry such as Sean “Diddy” Combs, Busta Rhymes, Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott, Kelly Ripa, Kim Cattrall, Macy Gray, Mary J. Blige and Ciara.