Joyce Bryant.

. So far, we’ve learned more about various icons including Dorothy Dandridge, Grace Jones and even Diana Ross; however, in contrast to the women previously mentioned, today’s highlight is not nearly publicized as much. With that, I figured I’d pay homage to the woman simply known as “The Black Marilyn Monroe” – Miss Joyce Bryant.






Joyce Bryant was born October 14, 1928 in Oakland, California and raised in San Francisco. As a child, she was reared in a strict home and prematurely had dreams of becoming a sociology teacher; however, it was almost impossible to deny Bryant’s gift of song from early on. During the 1940s, Joyce started to cultivate her craft through performing at various nightclubs and theaters. The singer’s popularity skyrocketed and, almost instantly, she became a sex symbol. In one of her earlier performances,  the daring entertainer was placed on the same program as Josephine Baker – not wanting to be out shined, she colored her hair silver while using radiator paint. Little did she know, this impulsive act would solidify her signature look for years to come.




I think it’s quite evident that Joyce Bryant’s style bordered along the lines of both classy and sultry. The breathtaking style maven certainly wasn’t afraid of color nor did she shy away from bolder effects which included tons of sequins, jaw-dropping silhouettes and a little bit of fur. Aside from her wide- eyed charisma, Bryant’s charm and undeniable fearlessness only garnered her more admiration while allowing her to build a legacy that remains relevant to this present day. I mean, can we revisit this silver hair? Talk about a pioneer!




Without a doubt, I think Miss Bryant definitely deserves more credit. In addition, I can only hope that this post has helped in enlightening our readers about a woman whose story is nothing short of epic. Trust me, read up on her! To learn more about this fashionable diva, click here.
What do you think of today’s Vintage Vision? Were you previously a Joyce Bryant fan? I’m anxious to hear your thoughts!