Stephen Burrows: When Fashion Danced

An homage to the designer ahead of his NY fashion exhibit.

Stephen Burrows: When Fashion Danced - The Museum of the City of New York will be opening the Stephen Burrows: When Fashion Danced exhibition on Thursday, March 21 to explore the African-American designer's work as it defined the disco era. (Photo: Francis Ing)

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Stephen Burrows: When Fashion Danced - The Museum of the City of New York will be opening the Stephen Burrows: When Fashion Danced exhibition on Thursday, March 21 to explore the African-American designer's work as it defined the disco era. (Photo: Francis Ing)

Color Blocking - Among the items on display will be two bold, color blocked dresses worn on the runway at the Palace of Versailles in 1973. (Photo: Charles Tracy)

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Color Blocking - Among the items on display will be two bold, color blocked dresses worn on the runway at the Palace of Versailles in 1973. (Photo: Charles Tracy)

Explosion - Burrows, the first African-American designer to achieve international fame for his fashion, came onto the scene in the late 1960s and proceeded to brand his style into the New York nighttime social scene. (Photo: Charles Tracy)

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Explosion - Burrows, the first African-American designer to achieve international fame for his fashion, came onto the scene in the late 1960s and proceeded to brand his style into the New York nighttime social scene. (Photo: Charles Tracy)

Signature Styles - The designer was known for his fluttery "lettuce" edge, red zigzag stitching, color blocking, fringe and metallic fabrics and slinky silhouettes that were perfect for the dance floor. (Photo: Charles Tracy)

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Signature Styles - The designer was known for his fluttery "lettuce" edge, red zigzag stitching, color blocking, fringe and metallic fabrics and slinky silhouettes that were perfect for the dance floor. (Photo: Charles Tracy)

Dress for Show - A chromatically colored jersey jumpsuit worn by Cher in a 1970 photo shoot at Henri Bendel will be on view as well as a 1972 chrome-yellow wrap dress that serves as one of Burrows' first examples of "lettuce" edging. (Photo: Charles Tracy)

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Dress for Show - A chromatically colored jersey jumpsuit worn by Cher in a 1970 photo shoot at Henri Bendel will be on view as well as a 1972 chrome-yellow wrap dress that serves as one of Burrows' first examples of "lettuce" edging. (Photo: Charles Tracy)

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On the Fringe - Early patchwork, fringe and leather designs from his collection will be on display for the first time. (Photo: Charles Tracy)

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On the Fringe - Early patchwork, fringe and leather designs from his collection will be on display for the first time. (Photo: Charles Tracy)

Represent - Thanks to Burrows' vision, America was regarded as a formidable contributor and pioneer in the world of fashion. (Photo: Charles Tracy)

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Represent - Thanks to Burrows' vision, America was regarded as a formidable contributor and pioneer in the world of fashion. (Photo: Charles Tracy)

That's His Philosophy - Burrows' design philosophy remained that "clothes be colorful, alive, fresh, sexy, feminine and, most of all, fun to wear. They should move as the body moves, be dance-able, comfortable and have a great fit, and they should give the feeling of an engineered sensuality." (Photo: Charles Tracy)

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That's His Philosophy - Burrows' design philosophy remained that "clothes be colorful, alive, fresh, sexy, feminine and, most of all, fun to wear. They should move as the body moves, be dance-able, comfortable and have a great fit, and they should give the feeling of an engineered sensuality." (Photo: Charles Tracy)

Colorful Crowd - Burrows, who studied in New York City's Fashion Institute of Technology, translated an air of free-spiritedness, playfulness and grace into his colorful garments that fit in with the Studio 54 crowd.  (Photo: Charles Tracy)

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Colorful Crowd - Burrows, who studied in New York City's Fashion Institute of Technology, translated an air of free-spiritedness, playfulness and grace into his colorful garments that fit in with the Studio 54 crowd.  (Photo: Charles Tracy)

French Recognition - Burrows was the first American designer to have a free-standing boutique at Henri Bendel and he was among five American designers invited to show in Paris in 1973 at the "Battle of Versailles," in which they faced off against French designers. (Photo: Charles Tracy)

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French Recognition - Burrows was the first American designer to have a free-standing boutique at Henri Bendel and he was among five American designers invited to show in Paris in 1973 at the "Battle of Versailles," in which they faced off against French designers. (Photo: Charles Tracy)

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A-List Love - Style icons who donned Burrows pieces included Lauren Bacall, Cher, Farrah Fawcett, Jerry Hall, Liza Minnelli, Diana Ross, Ethel Scull and Barbra Streisand.  (Photo: Charles Tracy)

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A-List Love - Style icons who donned Burrows pieces included Lauren Bacall, Cher, Farrah Fawcett, Jerry Hall, Liza Minnelli, Diana Ross, Ethel Scull and Barbra Streisand.  (Photo: Charles Tracy)

FLOTUS Fan - Even FLOTUS is a fan. In 2010, First Lady Michelle Obama wore a chartreuse matte jersey pantsuit to a student event in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Charles Tracy)

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FLOTUS Fan - Even FLOTUS is a fan. In 2010, First Lady Michelle Obama wore a chartreuse matte jersey pantsuit to a student event in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Charles Tracy)

Award Winner - In 1973, Burrows became the first African-American recipient of a Coty American Fashion Critics' Award. He's since won three, one of which will be shown at the exhibit.  (Photo: Charles Tracy)

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Award Winner - In 1973, Burrows became the first African-American recipient of a Coty American Fashion Critics' Award. He's since won three, one of which will be shown at the exhibit.  (Photo: Charles Tracy)

Inside His World - Original sketches, photographs, videos and over 50 garments from 1968 through 1983 — Burrows' most influential period — will be on show at the exhibit. (Photo: Courtesy of Stephen Burrows)

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Inside His World - Original sketches, photographs, videos and over 50 garments from 1968 through 1983 — Burrows' most influential period — will be on show at the exhibit. (Photo: Courtesy of Stephen Burrows)

Fashion Sense - Stephen Burrows: When Fashion Danced will be on view through July 28, 2013, at the Museum of the City of New York. (Photo: Courtesy of Stephen Burrows)

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Fashion Sense - Stephen Burrows: When Fashion Danced will be on view through July 28, 2013, at the Museum of the City of New York. (Photo: Courtesy of Stephen Burrows)