The Bellevue Arts Museum gave us an exclusive preview on May 19 of Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair and Balance and Tension: The Furniture of Seth Rolland.
The exhibition (May 20–Aug 14) explores the 50-year history of the fashion spectacle that redefined concepts of beauty, style, and empowerment for African Americans.
Photos by George Liu/NWAW

From left: Winona Hauge, Linda Johnson Coats, and Sonia Doughty (BAM Development Director) (Photo by George Liu/NWAW)

From left: Dr. Paula Houston (Sound Generations CEO), Sheila Edwards Lange (Seattle Central College President), and Lenny Wilkens (former Seattle SuperSonics head coach). (Photo by George Liu/NWAW)

From left: Christine Lee, Dr. Julie Miller (BAM president), Nancy Li and Mitch Smith (MG2 CEO and BAM board member). (Photo by George Liu/NWAW)
Chinese-inspired evening ensemble by Yves Saint Laurent. (Photo by George Liu/NWAW)
Sexy Cinderella in leather boots, designed by L’Amour Ameer. (Photo by George Liu/NWAW)
A cocktail dress made out of flexible tubing covered in fabric, designed by Tilmann Grawe. (Photo by George Liu/NWAW)
Evening coat based on the formal Japanese kimono, designed by Hanae Mori. (Photo by George Liu/NWAW)
Evening dress with lace hieroglyphs, designed by Sarli. (Photo by George Liu/NWAW)
Evening dress by Patrick Kelly. (Photo by George Liu/NWAW)