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Esther Bruce (extreme right) at a family wedding
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Esther Bruce (extreme right) at a family wedding
Esther Bruce (extreme right) at a family wedding in Fulham, London. Josephine Esther Bruce (1912-1994) working-class mixed race seamstress born in Fulham, London to a Guyanese father & an English mother. In London in the 1930s she made dresses for the singer Elisabeth Welch & befriended the Jamaican nationalist leader Marcus Garvey. Co-authored her autobiography in 1991 with her adopted nephew Stephen Bourne. Included in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Date: 1949
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Media ID 23090832
© The Stephen Bourne Collection / Mary Evans
1949 Born Bruce Dresses Esther Extreme Fulham Guyanese Josephine Mixed Race Right Seamstress Working Class Made
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This photograph captures Esther Bruce (extreme right) at a family wedding in Fulham, London, in 1949. Esther, born in 1912, was a working-class, mixed race seamstress who defied the racial and social barriers of her time. Her father was Guyanese, and her mother was English, making her part of the vibrant and diverse community in London during the 1930s. Despite the challenges she faced, Esther's talent and determination led her to create beautiful dresses for the renowned singer Elisabeth Welch. Her life intersected with the Jamaican nationalist leader Marcus Garvey, a pivotal figure in the Pan-African movement, further broadening her horizons. Esther's remarkable story was chronicled in her autobiography, co-authored with her adopted nephew Stephen Bourne, in 1991. Her contributions to London's rich cultural fabric were recognized with an entry in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. This photograph offers a glimpse into Esther's personal life, showcasing her warm smile and elegant attire as she celebrates a family occasion. It serves as a poignant reminder of her resilience and the impact she had on her community, both as a seamstress and as a trailblazer for future generations.
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