Fashion Rations Honors Black History Month Pt. 2

Influenced by his godmother, who had designed and made clothes for jazz singers Dinah Washington and Sarah Vaughan, African American fashion designer Scott Barrie began designing in 1966.

Barrie graduated from the Philadelphia College of Art and the Mayer School in New York, and although his mother was not initially encouraging about his future in fashion designing for Seventh Avenue, Barrie continued to follow is dream in fashion.

Known for his draped jersey and chiffon styles, Barrie established himself as a designer of sexy, often outrageous clothes. His eveningwear was particularly noteworthy: skinny gowns sprinkled with high splits, or jersey slips that sexily slid over the figure.

In 1993 Barrie died of brain cancer in Alessandria, Italy at the age of 52.