WEBVTT - Historical Records: Willi Smith (feat. Humberto Leon) 0:00:00.800 --> 0:00:01.800 Hey, what's up people? 0:00:01.960 --> 0:00:05.000 This is Questlove and an honor of Black History Month, 0:00:05.360 --> 0:00:09.160 when Fridays we'll be releasing episodes of Historical Records my 0:00:09.360 --> 0:00:12.840 podcast with the story Pirates. It's an explosive fusion of 0:00:12.920 --> 0:00:16.120 hip hop and history, tailor made for music loving kids 0:00:16.200 --> 0:00:19.959 and families. That's right, you heard right, something the entire 0:00:20.000 --> 0:00:24.320 family can sit back, listen to, and enjoy together. So 0:00:24.680 --> 0:00:29.160 in this episode, host Nemony learns how street guiture fashion 0:00:29.280 --> 0:00:31.160 came to be with a brand new hip hop track 0:00:31.520 --> 0:00:37.720 about fashion pioneer Willie Smith, featuring an interview between fashion 0:00:37.800 --> 0:00:40.760 designer Humberto Leon and an eight year old fashion lover 0:00:40.840 --> 0:00:44.480 from New York named Olivia. Get your kids, Sit back 0:00:44.840 --> 0:00:48.159 and enjoy Historical Records, the show that proves that in 0:00:48.240 --> 0:00:50.920 order to make history, you have to make some noise. 0:00:54.280 --> 0:00:58.560 Hi listeners, Neminy here in the ballroom of the Secret Bunker, 0:00:58.720 --> 0:01:02.000 reporting to you live Fashion's biggest night of the year. 0:01:02.360 --> 0:01:05.240 In just a moment, Tina and the other raccoons are 0:01:05.280 --> 0:01:08.400 gonna try on all my clothes and hit the runway. 0:01:08.640 --> 0:01:10.720 We're expecting a lot of different looks out of my 0:01:10.800 --> 0:01:13.679 closet tonight, and we're hopeful that will find at least 0:01:13.680 --> 0:01:18.119 one outfit that I am still willing to wear. I've 0:01:18.200 --> 0:01:22.320 just received word from Tina that the show is starting. Oh, 0:01:22.360 --> 0:01:24.920 and here comes the first model down the runway. It's 0:01:25.080 --> 0:01:28.360 Tina standing on top of four other raccoons, so they're 0:01:28.360 --> 0:01:30.760 the same height as me. And look at this. They're 0:01:30.800 --> 0:01:37.319 wearing my favorite simple black dress. Now, this dress is 0:01:37.480 --> 0:01:40.000 very special to me. I got it during my junior 0:01:40.080 --> 0:01:42.240 year of college. I wear it to eighty percent of 0:01:42.280 --> 0:01:44.760 the nice events I have to attend, and it's honestly 0:01:44.840 --> 0:01:47.600 starting to get a little scratching in the shoulders. It 0:01:47.680 --> 0:01:50.720 is pretty, but it's also pretty tired and should probably 0:01:50.760 --> 0:01:55.600 be cut up and repurposed into kitchen rags. Sorry, Tina, 0:01:55.800 --> 0:01:58.960 that one is not happening. But don't worry, listeners. We've 0:01:59.000 --> 0:02:04.080 got two more, hopefully passable options to see, and here 0:02:04.160 --> 0:02:07.480 they come again. Wow. This next piece coming down the 0:02:07.560 --> 0:02:11.480 runway is a real stutter, also being worn by five 0:02:11.560 --> 0:02:14.120 raccoons standing on top of each other. This one is 0:02:14.160 --> 0:02:19.079 a floral pant suit, and it looks like the raccoons 0:02:19.080 --> 0:02:20.240 are having some fun up there. 0:02:20.440 --> 0:02:21.440 We love to see. 0:02:21.280 --> 0:02:26.760 It, but does this dress still work for me? I'm 0:02:26.800 --> 0:02:29.720 not so sure it does, Tina. This is an outfit 0:02:29.800 --> 0:02:32.440 that I wore once for my cousin's wedding and then 0:02:32.520 --> 0:02:36.480 never wore again. Did it look good at the time, Absolutely? 0:02:36.960 --> 0:02:40.400 Can I bring myself to wear it again? Absolutely not. 0:02:43.360 --> 0:02:46.600 No one said fashion was easy. Side note. Is there 0:02:46.639 --> 0:02:48.799 anything more adorable than the sound of a crowd of 0:02:48.880 --> 0:02:53.239 raccoons being bummed out? I think not now. This last 0:02:53.280 --> 0:02:56.200 outfit coming down the runway once again, being worn by 0:02:56.240 --> 0:02:58.880 five raccoons standing on top of one another, is a 0:02:59.000 --> 0:03:03.960 vampire tape. Vampire tape and a vampire wig. It's my 0:03:04.040 --> 0:03:11.680 Halloween costume from last year. I was a vampire. Stop 0:03:11.720 --> 0:03:16.840 the music, Tina, None of these options work. I have 0:03:16.880 --> 0:03:21.080 a confession to make Scientists. International magazine is doing a 0:03:21.120 --> 0:03:25.240 big feature on scientists who live in top secret underground bunkers, 0:03:25.280 --> 0:03:28.920 and they're sending a photographer here today to howurd top 0:03:28.960 --> 0:03:32.800 secret underground bunker to take a picture of me. I agree. 0:03:33.240 --> 0:03:35.880 The reason I ask you and the other raccoons to 0:03:35.920 --> 0:03:39.640 do this fashion show is because I have absolutely nothing 0:03:39.680 --> 0:03:40.840 glamorous to wear. 0:03:46.400 --> 0:03:49.320 Its historical records. 0:03:49.880 --> 0:03:53.040 You are now listening to historical. 0:03:54.040 --> 0:03:57.080 To make history, you got to have struggles. To make history, 0:03:57.200 --> 0:03:59.840 you got to show poys cannot be quiet loud that 0:04:00.080 --> 0:04:03.080 so rye. To make history, you gotta make some noise. 0:04:07.040 --> 0:04:11.640 Welcome back to Historical Records, where we conduct highly experimental 0:04:11.680 --> 0:04:16.120 experiments combining history and hip hop. Today's episode is about 0:04:16.120 --> 0:04:20.479 the pioneering fashion designer Willie Smith. But we'll get to 0:04:20.480 --> 0:04:22.760 Willy in a minute. Right now, I'm in the middle 0:04:22.760 --> 0:04:28.280 of my own fashion disasser. I agree the vampire costume 0:04:28.360 --> 0:04:32.520 is funny, but I need to impress my fellow scientists, 0:04:32.720 --> 0:04:36.200 not make them laugh. My boring black dress, my floral 0:04:36.279 --> 0:04:40.120 pants suit, my vampire Halloween costume. None of these outfits 0:04:40.160 --> 0:04:43.000 feel like they're really gonna wow anyone. I want to 0:04:43.240 --> 0:04:49.720 wow people. What do you mean you have just the thing? Dana? 0:04:49.880 --> 0:04:55.120 Where are you calling? Oh? Okay, the spotlight on the 0:04:55.200 --> 0:04:58.599 runway is back. Uh. Our next model is about to 0:04:58.640 --> 0:05:01.760 come down the runway, where what she assures me is 0:05:01.800 --> 0:05:05.760 the greatest outfit of all time. Yes, there she is 0:05:06.080 --> 0:05:09.440 Tina the Raccoon, and it appears that she is wearing 0:05:09.480 --> 0:05:20.680 a dress made entirely of garbage. Okay, no raccoons, Thanks 0:05:20.680 --> 0:05:22.599 for your help, but I can't wear a dress made 0:05:22.600 --> 0:05:26.400 of trash for my big photo shoot. This is Scientist's 0:05:26.640 --> 0:05:31.040 international magazine we're talking about. It's like the biggest publication 0:05:31.160 --> 0:05:35.240 amongst scientists who are international and who also read magazines. 0:05:38.080 --> 0:05:40.920 Thanks Tina, I knew you'd understand. Let's look in my 0:05:40.960 --> 0:05:44.800 closet one more time in case I missed something. Hello, 0:05:45.279 --> 0:05:52.800 cute and fancy clothes, where are you? Hmm Nope, No 0:05:52.960 --> 0:05:56.640 fancy impressive clothes in here, Just a bunch of useless junk. 0:05:57.160 --> 0:05:59.960 Wait a minute, how have I never noticed this hit 0:06:00.200 --> 0:06:05.440 door before? Just as I suspected, this door leads to 0:06:05.480 --> 0:06:10.120 a gigantic closet. Closet clu Oh no, this is a library. 0:06:10.400 --> 0:06:13.920 That tiny door just led to the library. Wait a second, 0:06:14.160 --> 0:06:17.239 Maybe one of the historians can help me find something 0:06:17.320 --> 0:06:22.599 to wear, Gabe, lay anyone in here. I need a 0:06:22.800 --> 0:06:27.600 historian who also has the fashion seens, if possible. What 0:06:27.680 --> 0:06:31.719 was that? And where is all this smoke coming from? 0:06:32.000 --> 0:06:35.960 Oh high, niminy, Gabe? What was that huge kaboom sound? 0:06:36.520 --> 0:06:37.320 Sorry about that. 0:06:37.880 --> 0:06:40.200 I've just been testing out the latest design for my 0:06:40.360 --> 0:06:42.839 history simulator. Want to give it a try? Well I 0:06:42.960 --> 0:06:45.440 kind of need Come on, it'll just take a second. Here, 0:06:45.560 --> 0:06:46.400 put on this helmet. 0:06:46.720 --> 0:06:50.440 M okay, I guess this helmet is kind of cute. 0:06:50.800 --> 0:06:53.400 Now climb up here and slide down this tube a 0:06:53.600 --> 0:06:56.080 new love a slide, and get ready to get blasted 0:06:56.080 --> 0:06:59.240 off in this gigantic old timey cannon like the kind 0:06:59.279 --> 0:07:01.320 they have at the Sir, I guess I thought. 0:07:01.120 --> 0:07:03.360 You said this was a history simulator. 0:07:03.560 --> 0:07:03.960 It is. 0:07:04.360 --> 0:07:06.680 It just so happens to be shaped like a gigantic 0:07:06.800 --> 0:07:08.160 old timey cannon, like. 0:07:08.120 --> 0:07:09.800 The kind they have at the Circus. 0:07:10.000 --> 0:07:13.200 But instead of launching this space, it launches you through time. 0:07:13.600 --> 0:07:17.720 Gabe. You and I both know I love traveling through history, 0:07:17.880 --> 0:07:20.200 but I don't know that I want to be launched 0:07:20.280 --> 0:07:21.040 through history. 0:07:21.360 --> 0:07:23.360 Don't worry about it. I'll do it with you. 0:07:25.360 --> 0:07:25.640 Mmm. 0:07:25.840 --> 0:07:26.160 Got it. 0:07:26.240 --> 0:07:29.720 Let's sit in here, an astute observation and an improvement 0:07:29.840 --> 0:07:31.640 I'll make in version two point zero. 0:07:31.720 --> 0:07:34.600 Wait, this is only the first draft of your time cannon. 0:07:34.840 --> 0:07:39.240 I prefer history simulator shape like a gigantic Old timey cannon, 0:07:39.360 --> 0:07:40.280 like the kind they have. 0:07:40.320 --> 0:07:43.960 At the Circus. But yes, this is the first draft. 0:07:44.440 --> 0:07:46.360 Now let's simulate history. 0:07:47.200 --> 0:07:49.240 This is safe, right, Gabe. 0:07:49.360 --> 0:07:51.160 Honestly I'm still working out the kinks. 0:07:51.320 --> 0:07:56.920 Wait what see, what's. 0:07:58.240 --> 0:07:59.320 Look beneath us. 0:07:59.440 --> 0:08:02.320 That's all of human history, and it's flying right by us. 0:08:02.920 --> 0:08:06.160 Kind of feels like we're flying right by next. 0:08:06.200 --> 0:08:07.120 Now you're getting it. 0:08:07.240 --> 0:08:10.240 Remember to tuck and roll when you lando tucking roll 0:08:10.240 --> 0:08:14.720 when you boo, I was saying, never mind you, Okay, Gabe, 0:08:14.880 --> 0:08:15.240 can I. 0:08:15.200 --> 0:08:18.440 Give you some constructive feedback on your history? Simulator shape 0:08:18.520 --> 0:08:20.720 like a gigantic old timey cannon, like the kind they 0:08:20.760 --> 0:08:21.600 have at the circus. 0:08:21.760 --> 0:08:24.120 It's a long name. I know, I'm working on it. 0:08:24.440 --> 0:08:26.400 That's not what I was gonna say. Look over there, 0:08:26.920 --> 0:08:29.160 is that a fashion show? 0:08:29.480 --> 0:08:30.360 Let's take a look. 0:08:30.480 --> 0:08:33.480 Oh wait a minute, where are we This doesn't look 0:08:33.520 --> 0:08:34.920 like a normal fashion show. 0:08:35.160 --> 0:08:37.760 You're right, it's the early nineteen eighties and we're at 0:08:37.800 --> 0:08:41.240 the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City. 0:08:41.320 --> 0:08:42.560 A dance studio. 0:08:43.040 --> 0:08:43.319 Yep. 0:08:43.520 --> 0:08:47.640 Alvin Ailey was a famous choreographer who fused ballet, jazz, theater, 0:08:47.840 --> 0:08:50.400 and modern dance with narratives about black life. 0:08:50.600 --> 0:08:53.520 Well, Alvin Ailey sounds cool, But if we're doing a 0:08:53.559 --> 0:08:57.200 fashion show in a dance studio, the designer probably isn't 0:08:57.240 --> 0:08:57.720 that good. 0:08:58.160 --> 0:09:00.600 Are you sure about that? Take a closer look at 0:09:00.640 --> 0:09:01.120 the crowd. 0:09:01.440 --> 0:09:05.400 Wait a minute, is that Spike Lee, the famous film director? 0:09:05.679 --> 0:09:08.640 M h and keep herring. Oh, he's one of my 0:09:08.720 --> 0:09:09.920 favorite artists. 0:09:10.080 --> 0:09:13.920 And sitting right next to him is Andrew Whitten aka Zephyr, 0:09:14.040 --> 0:09:15.760 a legend in the graffiti world. 0:09:16.080 --> 0:09:18.480 Is everyone in this audience somewhat interesting? 0:09:18.920 --> 0:09:19.240 Yep? 0:09:19.440 --> 0:09:22.000 Each of them is a luminary in their field, most 0:09:22.040 --> 0:09:23.880 from the New York fashion scene. 0:09:24.080 --> 0:09:25.480 So whose fashion show is this? 0:09:25.760 --> 0:09:28.440 The lights are going down, let's watch and find out together. 0:09:28.880 --> 0:09:34.559 Oh my goodness, these models are all so beautiful and unique. 0:09:34.880 --> 0:09:37.560 Some of them are tall, some of them are shorts, 0:09:37.720 --> 0:09:40.960 some are bigger, some are smaller. I see different shades 0:09:41.000 --> 0:09:44.800 of skin men and women. Is this what every fashion 0:09:44.840 --> 0:09:46.400 show was like in the nineteen eighties? 0:09:46.800 --> 0:09:50.560 Not at all for the nineteen eighties. This is incredibly diverse. 0:09:50.880 --> 0:09:55.480 And these clothes, shapes and colors and fabrics. I love 0:09:55.520 --> 0:09:58.600 everything I'm seeing. I have to know who the designer is. 0:09:59.040 --> 0:09:59.920 Well, here he comes. 0:10:00.000 --> 0:10:00.200 Now. 0:10:00.520 --> 0:10:02.640 His name is Willie Smith and we're at a show 0:10:02.679 --> 0:10:05.360 for his popular fashion brand, Willie Ware. 0:10:05.920 --> 0:10:11.920 So that's Willie Smith. He's such a talented designer. Uh okay, Gabe, 0:10:12.120 --> 0:10:15.560 do you hear that sizzling sound like someone lit a 0:10:15.640 --> 0:10:19.439 long wick and it's slowly burning its way towards something gigantic. 0:10:19.800 --> 0:10:20.200 I do. 0:10:20.640 --> 0:10:23.000 That means it's time to head back into the Ji 0:10:23.080 --> 0:10:29.120 sor can hissulator. Huh uh, the gigantic circus canon history simulator. 0:10:29.520 --> 0:10:35.000 I'm workshopping the name. Remember that when you wear? 0:10:39.200 --> 0:10:42.920 Where are we now? And what's that delicious smell? 0:10:43.400 --> 0:10:46.280 I believe you're smelling fresh doses because we're in. 0:10:46.280 --> 0:10:48.040 Mumbai, India. 0:10:48.120 --> 0:10:49.040 What are we doing here? 0:10:49.360 --> 0:10:51.839 This is one of the places where Willy Smith got 0:10:51.880 --> 0:10:54.840 his inspiration while traveling the world in search of the 0:10:54.920 --> 0:10:58.520 right fabrics for his clothing. Willie didn't look to Paris 0:10:58.559 --> 0:11:00.880 or Milan, but that's where all the. 0:11:00.840 --> 0:11:03.840 Fashion designers find the fabrics with all the fun colors 0:11:03.880 --> 0:11:04.600 and patterns. 0:11:04.720 --> 0:11:06.360 Right, not exactly. 0:11:06.679 --> 0:11:09.480 Willy was looking for colors and patterns, sure, but he 0:11:09.600 --> 0:11:12.360 was also looking for durable fabrics that could give his 0:11:12.400 --> 0:11:14.880 clothes a flowing feel in looser shapes. 0:11:15.280 --> 0:11:19.400 Wooh, look at the price tag on this fabric. It's lavish, 0:11:19.520 --> 0:11:23.560 but it's also affordable. That's exactly what brought Willy to India. 0:11:23.920 --> 0:11:26.760 He wanted fabrics that weren't just pretty look at, but 0:11:26.760 --> 0:11:29.480 that you could actually live and work in, and it 0:11:29.600 --> 0:11:33.679 helped him make sure that everyone could afford his pieces. 0:11:33.160 --> 0:11:35.280 So he didn't want to look in all the same 0:11:35.320 --> 0:11:39.520 place as all the other designers were looking exactly smart. 0:11:40.120 --> 0:11:43.880 Oh man, that dosa looks tasty. Maybe I'll just snag 0:11:43.920 --> 0:11:44.280 a bite. 0:11:44.280 --> 0:11:48.599 No time, there's more history to simulate to the historical 0:11:48.720 --> 0:11:50.280 circus blaster three thousand. 0:11:51.160 --> 0:11:55.160 Em that's not it either. Hey, can we go slower 0:11:55.200 --> 0:11:56.280 this time? Sorry? 0:11:56.559 --> 0:11:59.280 Gigantic old timey cannon like the kind they have at 0:11:59.320 --> 0:12:01.200 the circus, only has one speed. 0:12:01.520 --> 0:12:13.840 Here we go, Man, I keep landing wrong, and now 0:12:13.880 --> 0:12:17.320 I'm hungry. I really wanted that Noza niminy. 0:12:17.679 --> 0:12:19.439 It was a simulated dosa. 0:12:19.840 --> 0:12:23.480 Well it made me simulated hungry. Where are we now? 0:12:23.800 --> 0:12:25.320 We're in Harlem, New York City. 0:12:25.520 --> 0:12:29.080 There's the Abyssinian Baptist Church, and there's the Apollo Theater, 0:12:29.440 --> 0:12:31.480 and over there is one hundred and twenty fifth Street, 0:12:31.640 --> 0:12:35.199 lined with vendors selling everything from T shirts to community 0:12:35.240 --> 0:12:37.000 newspapers to incense. 0:12:37.400 --> 0:12:42.040 And let me guess that's stylish. Young man over there 0:12:42.080 --> 0:12:45.040 with the loose fitting dressed clothes, looking at all the 0:12:45.080 --> 0:12:48.280 people and sketching in his notebook is a young Willie 0:12:48.320 --> 0:12:49.400 Smith Bingo. 0:12:49.840 --> 0:12:53.240 Before he started Willywere Willy Smith would walk the streets 0:12:53.240 --> 0:12:56.720 of New York, strolling past black churches on Sundays, taking 0:12:56.760 --> 0:13:00.560 inspiration from the women wearing their Sunday best. While other 0:13:00.640 --> 0:13:04.200 fashion designers were trying to dress celebrities and the ultra rich, 0:13:04.480 --> 0:13:08.080 Willie was inspired by the style of everyday working class people. 0:13:08.400 --> 0:13:12.240 Hey, look at that park. Those breakdancers have some pretty 0:13:12.280 --> 0:13:13.800 funky moves. 0:13:14.000 --> 0:13:16.079 This is the kind of park where Willie would watch 0:13:16.160 --> 0:13:20.079 office workers in their old, stuffy business suits walking past 0:13:20.080 --> 0:13:23.800 those breakdancers in their hip streetwear, and wonder, how can 0:13:23.840 --> 0:13:25.640 I bring these two worlds together. 0:13:26.240 --> 0:13:29.680 So streetwear hasn't always been a part of high. 0:13:29.440 --> 0:13:32.520 Fashion, Willie was one of the first fashion designers to 0:13:32.559 --> 0:13:35.920 bring influence from the streets, the clubs, and black culture 0:13:35.960 --> 0:13:38.959 in general into high fashion. Without him, a lot of 0:13:39.000 --> 0:13:41.880 today's streetwear brands probably wouldn't be what they are. 0:13:42.280 --> 0:13:46.480 So before Willie Smith's high fashion was only for the rich, 0:13:46.840 --> 0:13:50.480 and his work helped make fashion more accessible for everybody. 0:13:50.800 --> 0:13:51.120 Yes. 0:13:51.520 --> 0:13:54.160 In fact, one of his most famous quotes is, I 0:13:54.240 --> 0:13:57.240 don't design clothes for the queen, but for the people 0:13:57.280 --> 0:14:00.520 who wave at her as she goes by that. 0:14:01.160 --> 0:14:05.520 But so far we're just talking about businessmen and bee boys. 0:14:05.880 --> 0:14:08.640 Did Willy Smith design any clothing for women? 0:14:08.880 --> 0:14:13.040 Actually, Willie Smith wasn't interested in designing solely for men 0:14:13.200 --> 0:14:15.880 or for women. His brand Williware was one of the 0:14:15.960 --> 0:14:20.480 first major fashion brands to design both and even include 0:14:20.520 --> 0:14:22.360 plenty of gender neutral designs. 0:14:22.560 --> 0:14:25.680 Sounds like Willie Smith was really ahead of his time. 0:14:26.160 --> 0:14:27.880 Is this the neighborhood where he grew up? 0:14:28.120 --> 0:14:30.880 Not at all, He grew up in Philadelphia. Want to see? 0:14:31.440 --> 0:14:34.080 Oh no, not more time blasting. 0:14:33.840 --> 0:14:37.200 Time blasting. That's pretty good. Let's keep spitballing off that. 0:14:38.840 --> 0:14:40.400 Look I can do a backflip. 0:14:40.440 --> 0:14:41.360 Who we're flying? 0:14:43.120 --> 0:14:46.400 Oh, we're in a house. Maybe I can find some 0:14:46.480 --> 0:14:48.479 cool clothes in one of these closets. 0:14:48.560 --> 0:14:51.880 Wait, wait, wait, first, look around this bedroom we're in. 0:14:52.280 --> 0:14:55.920 Hmm, there are a lot of drawings on the walls, 0:14:56.360 --> 0:15:00.640 like a lot of drawings. Is this WILLI myths room? 0:15:00.960 --> 0:15:04.320 Yes, it's his childhood bedroom in Philadelphia in the early 0:15:04.400 --> 0:15:05.440 nineteen sixties. 0:15:05.920 --> 0:15:10.440 Look at this notebook. These drawings have so much imagination 0:15:10.640 --> 0:15:14.680 in them. Oh, look at all these people wearing elegant costumes. 0:15:15.200 --> 0:15:17.680 Even from a young age. Willie loved to draw in 0:15:17.760 --> 0:15:21.040 design clothes. His mother even told him that she knew 0:15:21.200 --> 0:15:23.880 he was born to be an artist or a designer. 0:15:24.280 --> 0:15:25.720 Is Willy here right now? 0:15:25.960 --> 0:15:26.720 He's not home. 0:15:26.880 --> 0:15:29.280 His mom and grandma have taken him to the Philadelphia 0:15:29.360 --> 0:15:31.680 Museum of Art, something they did frequently. 0:15:31.920 --> 0:15:33.600 Oh, I love that museum. 0:15:33.960 --> 0:15:35.160 So did Willy's family. 0:15:35.400 --> 0:15:38.480 They encouraged his love of drawing clothing and took. 0:15:38.360 --> 0:15:39.800 Him to the museum to sketch. 0:15:40.080 --> 0:15:42.040 They didn't have a lot of money, but they did 0:15:42.080 --> 0:15:46.320 have style, and after his parents divorced, Willy's grandma encouraged 0:15:46.400 --> 0:15:49.960 him to continue pursuing his dreams of working in fashion design. 0:15:50.480 --> 0:15:53.960 Sounds like his upbringing was a really big influence on him. 0:15:54.240 --> 0:15:58.600 Indeed, Willie's friend, former neighbor and fashion editor Kim Hastrider 0:15:58.680 --> 0:16:02.080 once said what would make Willy proud was not when 0:16:02.120 --> 0:16:03.920 a movie star wore his clothes. 0:16:04.360 --> 0:16:06.360 He would burst with pride. 0:16:06.040 --> 0:16:08.800 When he'd see black kids on the street running around 0:16:08.800 --> 0:16:11.520 in his stuff, or those black ladies at the bank 0:16:11.720 --> 0:16:12.720 wearing it to work. 0:16:13.160 --> 0:16:17.360 How sweet? Okay, now about those closets. 0:16:17.000 --> 0:16:20.640 Nimity, they're simulated closets full of simulated clothes. 0:16:20.840 --> 0:16:22.760 Well, I can still try them on can't. I. 0:16:22.920 --> 0:16:25.840 But there's so much more to see to the super big, 0:16:26.000 --> 0:16:29.760 super old circuits reminiscent history simulating blasting machine. 0:16:30.640 --> 0:16:36.200 That's an even worse and longer name than before. Wait, 0:16:36.560 --> 0:16:38.560 why are we in a comic book shop? 0:16:38.840 --> 0:16:42.440 Well, I wanted to talk about Willy Smith's legacy. Sadly, 0:16:42.680 --> 0:16:46.400 as his company was making record profits, Willy's success in 0:16:46.440 --> 0:16:49.000 the fashion world was cut short when he passed away 0:16:49.000 --> 0:16:51.640 in nineteen eighty seven at the age of thirty nine, 0:16:51.720 --> 0:16:53.280 due to complications from AIDS. 0:16:53.720 --> 0:16:54.920 That's so young. 0:16:55.400 --> 0:16:59.400 Unfortunately, Yes, the AIDS epidemic of the nineteen eighties took 0:16:59.440 --> 0:17:02.440 away man any of our best artists and leaders, especially 0:17:02.480 --> 0:17:06.560 those in the LGBTQ community, But Willy's influence can still 0:17:06.600 --> 0:17:11.120 be felt everywhere. His designs were worn by famous dancers 0:17:11.160 --> 0:17:13.800 in Spike Lee movies like School Days, and even in 0:17:13.840 --> 0:17:18.199 the pages of this comic book Spider Man Yep. In 0:17:18.240 --> 0:17:21.919 the issue where Peter Parker and Mary Jane finally get married, 0:17:22.160 --> 0:17:25.280 Mary Jane's wedding grace was designed by none other than 0:17:25.359 --> 0:17:31.360 Willie Smith. Now follow me outside this bronze plaque right 0:17:31.480 --> 0:17:34.639 here on the seventh Avenue Fashion Walk of Fame in 0:17:34.640 --> 0:17:38.720 New York City commemorates Willie Smith and his contribution to fashion. 0:17:39.040 --> 0:17:41.840 In nineteen eighty eight, one year after his death, New 0:17:41.920 --> 0:17:46.840 York City's first black Mayor, David Dinkins proclaimed February twenty 0:17:46.880 --> 0:17:49.520 third as Willie Smith Day in New York City. 0:17:49.880 --> 0:17:52.160 February twenty third. 0:17:52.359 --> 0:17:56.200 That's today, Well it is here in the simulation. Oh boy, 0:17:56.400 --> 0:18:00.280 speaking of look at the time space. We really should 0:18:00.320 --> 0:18:06.679 be heading back home. Un Hey, nice landing. 0:18:06.920 --> 0:18:10.359 Thanks. I've had lots of practice with the gigantic old 0:18:10.400 --> 0:18:12.800 timey cannon, like the kind they have at the circus. 0:18:13.040 --> 0:18:15.240 I believe you mean the time cannon. 0:18:15.800 --> 0:18:17.399 That's the official name you're going with. 0:18:17.960 --> 0:18:18.280 Yep. 0:18:18.800 --> 0:18:20.800 Isn't that what I called it the very first time 0:18:20.840 --> 0:18:21.320 I got in? 0:18:21.920 --> 0:18:22.320 Yep? 0:18:22.520 --> 0:18:25.119 And didn't you tell me you prefer gigantic old timey cannon, 0:18:25.119 --> 0:18:26.520 like the kind they have at the circus. 0:18:26.880 --> 0:18:31.679 I've grown and I've changed fair anyway. That was fun. 0:18:31.920 --> 0:18:35.520 Yeah, I had a blast, literally, But also I learned 0:18:35.560 --> 0:18:37.920 how to look at fashion in a totally different way. 0:18:38.160 --> 0:18:40.760 Maybe I was thinking about my photo shoot all wrong. 0:18:41.480 --> 0:18:45.200 I wonder what Willie would suggest I wear something practical 0:18:45.240 --> 0:18:46.639 and yet somehow still cool. 0:18:46.880 --> 0:18:48.359 Don't you have a song to record. 0:18:48.600 --> 0:18:52.200 Oh you're right, I nearly forgot to the recording studio. 0:18:52.920 --> 0:18:58.040 Bye Gabe. Wow, All right, listeners, check out this brand 0:18:58.080 --> 0:19:00.919 new song all about Willie Smith. 0:19:05.000 --> 0:19:07.399 When people even nain't Willie Smith, I want them to 0:19:07.480 --> 0:19:13.120 think that this is a person who cares enough about 0:19:13.440 --> 0:19:17.280 them that he's taking the time to design and create 0:19:17.359 --> 0:19:20.840 and think for them, like all Lellens of America. 0:19:24.520 --> 0:19:26.920 I could tell you what sale how I was supposed 0:19:26.920 --> 0:19:28.959 to fail, but then I ended up sailing with all 0:19:29.000 --> 0:19:31.399 the boats and whales. Before I was selling clothes, I 0:19:31.440 --> 0:19:34.000 had hope for sale, and even at a discount. It 0:19:34.080 --> 0:19:36.359 was so for real. Grew up in Hilladelkh had a 0:19:36.400 --> 0:19:38.320 little help, Nope, a lot of help. My mother and 0:19:38.400 --> 0:19:40.800 my father told me to go for self. Got it 0:19:40.800 --> 0:19:43.080 to yourself, do your best, get it gone and you 0:19:43.080 --> 0:19:45.840 can get coins. But true freedom is the wealth. Willie, 0:19:46.200 --> 0:19:48.560 that's my name came into game. We'll get into all 0:19:48.560 --> 0:19:51.119 of that, but for now I'm saying I'm conveying my 0:19:51.320 --> 0:19:54.560 joy struggle. My joy not different from so many other 0:19:54.640 --> 0:19:56.720 black boys. And I knew there was a world that 0:19:56.840 --> 0:19:58.679 was almost had a reason. But I had to learn 0:19:58.800 --> 0:20:02.320 lessons that nobody could see tablets full of design and fabric. 0:20:02.320 --> 0:20:03.480 Because it's your fashion. 0:20:03.480 --> 0:20:06.159 It is one thing. The style is another, my choice. 0:20:12.840 --> 0:20:29.200 I'm afreedom to love imagine. 0:20:23.400 --> 0:20:25.080 Brand new, but it's still classic. 0:20:25.760 --> 0:20:28.399 Yes, I made clothes. Yes, I love to sew. I 0:20:28.520 --> 0:20:31.240 possessed the fashion that I ain't even know. I knew 0:20:31.280 --> 0:20:33.200 I had to grow. And you know I love Philly, 0:20:33.280 --> 0:20:35.520 but New York City, Yeah, I knew I had to go. 0:20:36.040 --> 0:20:40.040 My best decision him lines crafted with so much precision. 0:20:39.680 --> 0:20:40.800 You could see the fishing. 0:20:41.040 --> 0:20:42.000 A few people. 0:20:41.720 --> 0:20:44.639 Mentioned that it wasn't up to snuff, but eventually everybody 0:20:44.760 --> 0:20:47.720 was loving my stuff. My mind went to another place 0:20:47.760 --> 0:20:50.880 to create something live. The colors more vibrant, my own 0:20:50.880 --> 0:20:53.320 little island where I could spend time on the shore, 0:20:53.400 --> 0:20:54.639 getting close to the source. 0:20:54.640 --> 0:20:55.400 And I'm smiling. 0:20:55.480 --> 0:20:58.720 Now got a new clothing line. Yeah, it's finally out, Willie. 0:20:58.760 --> 0:20:59.440 Where hit it in? 0:20:59.640 --> 0:21:00.879 Get it there everywhere? 0:21:01.040 --> 0:21:01.560 I swear. 0:21:01.880 --> 0:21:04.360 I think back to the famous line, clothes don't make 0:21:04.359 --> 0:21:13.840 the man unless you wear. In mind my joy, the 0:21:13.920 --> 0:21:24.159 scene is overdone. It's supposed to be fun, but how 0:21:24.200 --> 0:21:25.720 they want to say? So, let's go on and give 0:21:25.760 --> 0:21:27.480 them so. I walked the line from the Harle of 0:21:27.520 --> 0:21:30.679 Renaissance to de boys are richer now for the culture. 0:21:30.760 --> 0:21:33.240 No decoys, street bustle and loud. 0:21:33.119 --> 0:21:34.280 Crowns, sweet noise. 0:21:34.359 --> 0:21:36.440 These are the things I mean when I speak joy 0:21:36.520 --> 0:21:38.240 in twenty five mail offt designs. 0:21:38.280 --> 0:21:40.080 I chose so you can chill or if you. 0:21:40.119 --> 0:21:41.399 Want to profile and pose. 0:21:41.640 --> 0:21:43.880 And I don't make clothes for the queen. I'm making 0:21:43.960 --> 0:21:46.440 for the people on the street who wave at the limousine. 0:21:46.760 --> 0:21:48.920