11 Facts About Dorothea Church

Dorothea Church was a daughter of Thomas Elsworth Towles, then a mechanic, and his wife, the former Anabella Clark.

Dorothea Church's siblings were: Thomas, Henry, Lois, Verna, Golden, and Marian.

Dorothea Church began attending the Dorothy Farrier Charm and Modeling School and was the first black student there.

Dorothea Church began a tour of black colleges, showcasing her collection of Paris haute couture.

Dorothea Church later signed as a model with the Grace del Marco agency in New York City and worked as a fashion commentator for radio station WOV.

That being said, when Dorothea Church returned to the United States, Pierre Balmain would not allow her to borrow his designs for an Ebony Magazine shoot out of concern that his white clientele would be offended and that the magazine's readership would not be interested in purchasing Balmain's creations.

Dorothea Church therefore felt more accepted in Parisian culture and the modelling industry compared to that in the US.

Dorothea Church was a successful black model in an industry, and era, which represented beauty through the predominant use of white models.

Dorothea Church died aged 83 at St Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York City.

Dorothea Church's death was attributed to heart and kidney disease.

Dorothea Church was featured in the Black Style Now exhibition, which opened September 9,2006, at the Museum of the City of New York.