DAZZLING ZELDA: THE STORY OF FASHION DESIGNER ZELDA WYNN VALDES, by Aura Lewis and Farai Simoyi, Beach Lane Books, Aug. 13, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)
Learn about black fashion icon and design pioneer Zelda Wynn Valdes in Dazzling Zelda, a picture book biography by Aura Lewis and Farai Simoyi.
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! —Synopsis provided by Beach Lane Books
Dazzling Zelda is a fascinating biography. Zelda’s drive and creativity is awe inspiring. Author Aura Lewis tells Zelda’s story with ease. Her prose almost has a conversational tone to it. And the additional information about Zelda at the end, gives readers a sense of how far her strides reached.
Illustrations by Farai Simoyi, who is a fashion designer, capture the essence of Zelda’s designs. Simoyi’s use of color and space further highlight Zelda’s skills.
Dazzling Zelda is a joyful and inspiring picture book.
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