Nobody did glamour like Mary Wilson and the Supremes

 

Today, the world lost another icon: Mary Wilson, a founding member of the Supremes, has died at age 75. Over her impressive, decades-spanning career, the late singer made music history. Not only was she in one of the most successful Black acts of all time, but her iconic stage look also continues to be one that is often imitated, but never replicated. 

Wilson grew up in the Brewster-Douglass Projects in Detroit. In 1959, when she was just 15-years-old, she was invited to join a group called the Primettes with fellow members Diana Ross and Florence Ballard. The trio changed their name to the Supremes in 1962, and were signed to a record deal. From there, the group was catapulted into global fame, enjoying five consecutive number-one hits for songs such as “Where Did Our Love Go” and “Stop! In The Name of Love.” 

Onstage, Wilson, Ross, and Ballard famously wore matching ensembles, a direction that later was adopted by modern-day groups such as Destiny’s Child. Their inimitable fashion choices always came armed with a sense of otherworldly glamour, complete with the most fabulous beaded or crystal-covered gowns. While the aesthetic was all about unison, each star shined in her own right.

The Supremes managed to capture the hearts of audiences during a time when America was particularly divided, and the civil rights movement was ramping up. Equally as impressive, the Supremes also defined what a whole era of women wanted to dress like. They defined the Motown era. “Our glamour changed things,” Wilson said in 2019 of their group style. “We were role models. What we wore mattered. We were so in demand—we needed an endless supply of great high fashion. Stores would stay open late just for us so we could shop privately.” 

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