Civil Rights Style
August 1, 2009
Lately I’ve been looking at a lot of old images from the civil rights movement of the 1950’s – 1960’s. I’m obsessed with how stylish everyone was. Below are some of my favorites.
A sartorial savvy Martin Luther King Jr. in this 1956 photograph with fellow civil rights leader Bayard Rustin. I love Dr. King's flecked blazer and skinny tie.
Nine students who were enrolled in Little Rock Central High School in 1957. I love the dresses and glasses on the ladies and the gentlemen look great in their white oxford.
Dr. King and Coretta Scott King dressed to the nines! Coretta Scott King's feather hat is incredible!
March in Alabama 1965 - The hats, suits, and ties are great!
Sammy Davis Jr. and Roy Wilkins at the 1963 march in Washington D.C.
Writer James Baldwin with Charlton Heston and Marlon Brando at the 1963 March. These Gents look amazing in their sack suits.
Bayard Rustin in a great skinny knit tie with amazing black rim specs
Malcolm X - 1964; great skinny tie and tie clip. I also love the horn rim frames
Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, and Charlton Heston at the 1963 march looking great in sack suits and white oxford. The pocket squares are a great touch.
Amazing style! I just love the sack suits and hats.
Jackie Robinson at the 1963 March on Washington
I love that EVERYONE was in a suit and tie!
John Hope Franklin protesting in a suit and tie
John Fitzgerald Kennedy meeting with civil rights leaders at the White House - June 21'st 1963. More great sack suits!
JFK Inagural Address on Television – 1961
May 15, 2009
I love the old television set!
The P & P Chair Company in Asheboro, North Carolina announced last week that they will be closing their factory after 82 years in business. The P & P Chair Company was founded by W. C. Page Sr. and a friend, Arthur E. Presnell in 1926. P & P made it’s claim to fame in the early 1960’s with the creation of the authentic “Kennedy Rocker”. John F. Kennedy chose the chair by recommendation of his physician, Dr. Janet Travell. The chair was upholstered by the White House upholsterer Larry Arata.
Chairs stacked and curing at the P & P Chair Co. factory in Asheboro, North Carolina (Image: File Photo/News & Record)
Kennedy in his P & P Chair Company Authentic "Carolina Rocker" (from the LIFE archive)
I was shocked to hear this news because I grew up with this chair at my parent’s home. My parents had this chair created and upholstered for them directly from Larry Arata and his wife. Thanks Mom for sending me the pictures of my family’s Kennedy Rocker below.
The Hart Family's "Kennedy Rocker" from the P & P Chair Company with Upholstry by Larry Arata
Plaque on the back of my family's rocker
Larry Arata's custom tag on the back of the chair
Larry Arata's card underneath the arm
The Invisible Agent 