Book

Supreme Glamour

by Mary Wilson, Mark Bego

📖 Overview

Supreme Glamour chronicles the history of The Supremes through their iconic fashion and stage costumes. Mary Wilson, founding member of The Supremes, presents her personal collection of the group's gowns alongside behind-the-scenes stories from their rise to fame. The book features over 400 photographs documenting the evolution of The Supremes' style from the 1960s through the 1970s. The images showcase the group's signature looks, from their early matching dresses to their elaborate Vegas showgirl ensembles. Wilson and co-author Mark Bego detail the designers, seamstresses, and creative minds who helped craft The Supremes' visual identity. The text explores how fashion played a crucial role in breaking down racial barriers and establishing the group as global superstars. The book illuminates the intersection of music, fashion, and social change during a transformative period in American culture. Through the lens of costume and design, Supreme Glamour examines how image and identity shaped one of popular music's most groundbreaking acts.

👀 Reviews

Readers describe the book as a detailed chronicle of The Supremes' iconic costumes and stage fashion, with high-quality photographs that document the group's visual evolution. Readers liked: - The large, clear photographs showing costume details - Personal stories and anecdotes from Mary Wilson - Documentation of who designed each outfit - Behind-the-scenes information about costume maintenance and transportation Main criticisms: - Some text appears repetitive - Higher price point compared to similar books - A few readers wanted more personal history beyond the costumes Ratings: Amazon: 4.8/5 (174 reviews) Goodreads: 4.3/5 (47 ratings) Notable reader comments: "The photos alone make this worth owning" - Amazon reviewer "Great documentation of an important part of music history" - Goodreads reviewer "Would have liked more about their performances and relationships" - Goodreads reviewer

📚 Similar books

Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme by Barbara Martin and Fred Bronson Records first-hand stories of The Supremes from founding member Barbara Martin's perspective during the group's early years.

You Keep Me Hangin' On: Diana Ross and The Supremes by J. Randy Taraborrelli Documents The Supremes' journey with focus on their relationship dynamics, recording sessions, and behind-the-scenes moments at Motown Records.

All that Glittered: The Golden Age of Drama Queens by Ethan Mordden Chronicles the fashion, music, and cultural impact of 1960s female performers with emphasis on costume design and stage presence.

My Life with Earth, Wind & Fire by Maurice White and Herb Powell Presents an inside view of a major Motown-era group's evolution through their costumes, performances, and business operations.

Ladies of Soul by David Ritz Examines the careers of prominent female soul singers from the 1960s with details about their stage personas and performance wardrobes.

🤔 Interesting facts

📚 The book features over 400 vintage photographs, including never-before-seen images of The Supremes' iconic costumes and stage wear 👗 Mary Wilson maintained one of the largest private collections of The Supremes' gowns, with many of the original outfits featured in detailed photographs throughout the book 🎭 Each of The Supremes' costume changes during performances was meticulously choreographed, often requiring the group to make complete wardrobe switches in as little as 30 seconds 💫 The group's designer outfits could cost up to $2,000 each in the 1960s (equivalent to over $17,000 today), making The Supremes one of the most expensively dressed acts in show business 🎤 Author Mary Wilson was a founding member of The Supremes and remained with the group for its entire 18-year existence, from 1961 to 1977, making her uniquely qualified to tell the story of the group's fashion evolution