I always love when people recommend their stylish friends for me to photograph. Barbara Harris, who I have photographed twice before, wrote to tell me that I must meet her friend and style icon, 95-year-old Alvis Rogers. When I met Alvis at her apartment in Manhattan last week, she surely didn't disappoint, in a gorgeous hounds tooth jacket and cream overcoat. I asked Barbara to put together a few words about her dear friend below:
ALVIS ROGERS IS A CLASS ACT AND VERY ELEGANT. I've known Alvis close to 50 years. We met at Casdulan Hair Salon, owned by Frenchie, located next to the famed Apollo Theatre on 125th Street. The salon was very popular during that time because all the hair stylists were great, which attracted very chic clients and celebrities--just to name a few, Diahaan Carroll, Lucille Armstrong (Louis Armstrong's wife) Audrey Smaltz (The Ground crew), and many others. After chatting with Alvis, we discovered we were neighbors on Sugar Hill in Harlem. I was so struck by how this beautiful African American woman was dressed, how she spoke and how she just reeked of class and style. I knew from this first meeting she was someone I wanted to get to know better and emmulate, so I could learn how it was properly done, She was also dripping of great jewelry--gold and diamonds, which also really impressed me (I,too wanted some of those).
As I introduced her to my friends, they, like me were in awe of her elegance, wit and style and wanted to know her better. Alvis was very worldly--having traveled a lot and took many cruises which just seemed like a wonderful life style. She invited me a few times for a Bon Voyage party on the ship, and I though that was very grand. Living in New York City during the 60's, and meeting a fabulous woman like Alvis(that looked like us) gave us a lot of hope and determination that we, also, could be Fabulous at any age. Women who see Alvis now are still inspired by her beauty, warmth and total togetherness. At her age she is till a star.
"Building an outfit is a morning meditation. It gets me prepared for the day ahead, and is what will determine my mood for the day."- Debra Rapoport
