Josephine Baker's Banana Skirt

Josephine Baker's Banana Skirt: An Icon of Performance, Art, and Cultural Dialogue

Josephine Baker’s banana skirt is one of the most iconic garments in performance history. Worn during her performances at the Folies Bergère in Paris in the 1920s, the banana skirt became synonymous with Baker’s name and her daring, innovative artistry. It was part of her famous "Danse Sauvage" routine, where she performed a sensual dance that captured the world’s attention and solidified her status as an international sensation.

The banana skirt was reportedly created by the costume designers of the Folies Bergère, though the specific designer is not widely credited. According to Josephine Baker: The Hungry Heart, by Jean-Claude Baker and Chris Chase, the collaboration between Baker and the cabaret’s creative team brought this iconic costume to life. The skirt featured a belt adorned with rubber bananas that swayed as she danced, amplifying the humor, sensuality, and energy of her performance.

Interestingly, the banana skirt wasn’t her first look for "Danse Sauvage." Initially, Baker wore a feathered skirt, but Folies Bergère management rejected it for being too revealing. The banana skirt was a last-minute replacement—yet one that became a brilliant, career-defining choice that catapulted Baker to global fame.

A Defining Symbol of the Roaring Twenties

Baker’s banana skirt quickly became a sensation, making her a symbol of the Jazz Age and the Roaring Twenties. Her energetic performances combined dance, comedy, and sensuality, challenging conventional norms of the era. The banana skirt, in particular, became a visual representation of her exoticized persona, reflecting both the fascination and fetishization of Black performers in Europe during that period.

Cultural scholars, including Matthew Pratt Guterl in his book Josephine Baker and the Rainbow Tribe, have explored the duality of Baker’s image. While some critics believed the banana skirt perpetuated colonial stereotypes of Black primitivism, others saw her performance as a clever subversion—one where Baker used her body, humor, and art to take control of the very caricatures imposed upon her.

Resurgence and Legacy of the Banana Skirt

Today, the banana skirt remains a powerful symbol of Josephine Baker’s trailblazing spirit and her impact on art, fashion, and performance. The garment has appeared in countless fashion collections, music videos, and pop culture references—from Beyoncé to Rihanna—cementing its place as an enduring symbol of style, strength, and complexity.

Baker’s story, however, goes far beyond the stage. As chronicled by the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), she worked with the French Resistance during World War II, smuggling intelligence in sheet music and entertaining Allied troops. She later became a prominent voice in the civil rights movement, refusing to perform for segregated audiences and speaking alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the March on Washington.

She was also the first Black woman to headline a major motion picture, starring in Zouzou in 1934—another milestone in a career defined by breaking barriers.

Honoring a Legacy

The banana skirt is more than a costume—it is a testament to Baker’s fearless creativity and her ability to captivate audiences while addressing complex cultural issues. It represents her legacy as an artist who defied expectations and left an indelible mark on the worlds of entertainment, fashion, and civil rights.

Join us in celebrating Josephine Baker’s legacy and embracing the empowering message behind her art. By purchasing and wearing our specially designed shirt, you honor trailblazing women throughout history and become part of a movement that recognizes resilience, courage, and creativity.