Dorothea Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dorothea Church
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Dorothea Church on the cover of the April 16, 1953 issue of JET magazine
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| Born |
Dorthy Mae Towles
July 26, 1922 |
| Died | July 7, 2006 (aged 83) New York City, U.S.
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| Occupation | Model |
| Spouse(s) |
Dr. Nathaniel Alfonso Fearonce
(m. 1947; div. 1950)Thomas Ayres Church
(m. 1962; died 2000) |
| Partner(s) | Edward Bell (1953–1953) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Lois Towles (sister) |
Dorothea Towles Church (born Dorthy Mae Towles; July 26, 1922 – July 7, 2006) was a pioneering fashion model. She became the first successful black model in Paris, France. Her work helped open doors for other models of color in the fashion world.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Dorthy Mae Towles was born in Texarkana, Texas. Her parents were Thomas Elsworth Towles, a mechanic, and Anabella Clark. She had several siblings. Her sister, Lois Towles, became a famous concert pianist.
Education and Early Career
Dorothea went to Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Texarkana. She then attended Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. She earned a bachelor's degree in biology and pre-med, graduating with honors.
In 1943, Dorothea moved to Los Angeles, California. She lived with her uncle, Dr. Henry H. Towles, who was a doctor and real estate investor. She worked as a clerk, secretary, and cashier. From 1945 to 1946, she taught biology and drama at high schools in Los Angeles.
In 1945, she also studied drama and speech at the University of Southern California. She was the first black student at the Dorothy Farrier Charm and Modeling School. Later, she pursued her Master of Science degree at the University of Southern California. She was a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
Becoming a Fashion Model
While teaching in the 1940s, Dorothea also started appearing in charity fashion shows. She even trained other models for these events.
In 1949, her sister Lois went on a European tour with the Fisk University concert choir. Dorothea joined her for a two-month vacation in Paris. While there, Dorothea decided to try modeling. She was hired by the famous designer Christian Dior. This opportunity led her to spend the next five years modeling in France. She worked for top designers like Jacques Fath, Elsa Schiaparelli, Pierre Balmain, and Robert Piguet. In April 1953, she was featured on the cover of Jet magazine.
Returning to the United States
Dorothea returned to the United States in 1954. Despite her success in Europe, she found it hard to get modeling jobs in America. Many designers were not ready to hire black models.
To share her experiences, she toured black colleges. She showcased her collection of Paris haute couture (high fashion). Her fashion shows also helped raise money for her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha. Later, she signed with the Grace del Marco agency in New York City. She also worked as a fashion commentator for a radio station.
Breaking Racial Barriers
Dorothea Church often spoke about her time in Paris in the early 1950s. In a 2004 interview, she said, "For once I was not considered black, African American or Negro. I was just an American." She felt that the French fashion world treated her "like a queen."
Author Barbara Summers quoted Dorothea in her 1998 book Black and Beautiful. Dorothea said, "I got invited out all the time. I was the only black model in Europe and I just thought I was an international person."
However, when she came back to the U.S., things were different. Designer Pierre Balmain would not let her borrow his designs for an Ebony Magazine photoshoot. He worried that his white customers might be upset. This showed her that she was more accepted in Paris than in the U.S.
Dorothea was a very successful black model during a time when most models were white. She helped break down racial barriers in the fashion industry.
Personal Life
Dorothea Church was married twice and had two children. Her first husband was Dr. Nathaniel Alfonso Fearonce. They married in 1947. Her second husband was Thomas Ayres Church, a lawyer. They married in 1962.
In 1953, she was engaged to Edward Bell. However, the engagement ended because she did not want to stop her modeling career after marriage.
Later Life and Legacy
Dorothea Church passed away on July 7, 2006, at the age of 83. Her death was due to heart and kidney disease.
Her impact on fashion was remembered in the Black Style Now exhibition. This exhibit opened in 2006 at the Museum of the City of New York. Dorothea's son, Thomas, continues her legacy.
