A few years ago, a friend and I spent countless hours researching Black beauty, style and glamour. As my eyes skimmed across hundreds of online pinups, portraits, and snapshots, I was suddenly triggered. It was a photo of a gorgeous Black woman on the May 1973 cover of JET Magazine. I said to myself, "Who is this woman? Where have I seen her before?" Slowly, my memory came back. I remembered that years earlier I had stumbled upon a box of my grandfather's vintage magazines. This exact cover was there. It read, "Beauty + Brains = Success." Now that I figured out the connection, I was hooked. My search became more specific. "Who is Jayne Kennedy?" Using keywords "Jayne Kennedy red carpet," "Jayne Kennedy editorial," "Jayne Kennedy YouTube videos," I was suddenly spiraling down a rabbit hole of beauty, glamour, and sophistication that I never wanted to end.
Jayne is undoubtedly one of the ultimate "IT" girls of the 1970's and 80's. As a bonafide sex symbol, she took the reigns of her power. With self-assurance and refined originality, she accumulated an incredible list of firsts that range from beauty pageants, prime time television and celebrity endorsements. When America tried to project a certain standard of beauty for black women, Jayne pushed back by simply being Jayne.
After years of publicly voicing my admiration, I received a call that Jayne wanted to meet me about this book! "How is this possible? What would I wear? What would I say?" I felt like that curious little boy who had scoured through my grandfather's box all over again. Then it happened! On a breezy Tuesday in Los Angeles, my heart swelled in awe as I watched her tall, almost 6-foot frame enter the courtyard of the Chateau Marmont. We began to chat and what was supposed to be a brief coffee date turned into a 4-hour love fest. She endearingly refused to brag on her accomplishments, possessing a rare and constant poise mixed with humility. It then dawned on me that Jayne is just now realizing her impact on our culture. She showed me images from photoshoots that she planned to include in this book where she did her own hair and makeup and made almost all the clothes that she wore. I was captivated by each outfit, all crafted with precision and finesse...dresses that could have easily been mistaken for a Halston. Can we now please credit Jayne as one of the first Black stylists in Hollywood? A pioneer who allowed myself and others to now exist in this industry!
Jayne brought Black GLAMOUR to the main stage. That same confidence, charisma, and spark that radiated through our television and film screens and magazines then - still illuminates today. I'm so lucky to be able to honor, respect, and hail Jayne Kennedy as the Great American Icon that she is. May her brilliant legacy inspire others to forge new paths in the world of fashion and beyond.
Cheers to Jayne!
Image Architect Law Roach
