The groundbreaking work of Mr. Crawford, as well as others continues to inspire and shape today’s creative landscape. In recognition of his career achievements and body of work, in 2023 Mr. Crawford was nominated for a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Star, forever immortalizing and preserving his legacy.
The HC Legacy Foundation is inspired by costumer and wardrobe stylist Mr. Harold Crawford and is dedicated to preserving history and advancing the craft of costuming through education, inspiration, and community engagement. We strive to honor the legacy of Harold Crawford - and other like him - one of Hollywood's pioneering Black costumers, by empowering individuals of all backgrounds to explore the art and history of costume design. Through workshops, scholarships, and public exhibitions, we aim to inspire the next generation of costumers and wardrobe stylists, designers, storytellers and creatives ensuring that diverse voices and talents continue to shape the future of film, theater, and fashion.
As a kid growing up in Palms Springs, California I remember my first job while I was in high school. I worked in the Palm Springs Library, in the periodical section. While there, I saw photographs of models in Vogue and Bazaar Magazine and I recall my excitement looking through the pages. There was something about it that drew me in, and as an art and drama major in high school I could relate and appreciate the designs and aesthetics of it all. From that day forward I became interested in fashion and image making, and started doing fashion illustrations.
I moved from Palm Springs to Los Angeles in 1966, and graduated from Compton High
in 1968. In the summer of 1969, through a series of events, I enrolled in the Los Angeles Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM). At that time there were 26 students, 23 young ladies and 3 young men. I was one of three young men of color. While I was a student at FIDM I worked at Orbachs Department Store in Fashion Sales for the Boys Prep section.
In 1970, I enrolled in the apprentice program in the film industry to be a costumer and wardrobe stylist. I spent three months at four of the major studios in Hollywood, 20th Century Fox Studios, Paramount Studios, Warner Bros Studios, and Universal Studios as an apprentice, studying and training. When I finished my one year apprenticeship I stayed on as a costumer for Universal Studios for seven years. My first television assignment was Alias Smith and Jones with Pete Duel, I also worked on many other shows soon thereafter. Those were exciting times for me. I felt very fortunate to have the mentors and people around me that were willing to take me under their wings so to speak... They taught me everything I know about costuming, wardrobing and styling, as well as industry ins and outs. One of the people I considered my mentor at that time was Vincent Dee, the head of Universal Studios wardrobe department; Jack Tack costumer on Alias Smith and Jones, and Jack Delany the head Warner Brothers Studios wardrobe department. Robert Guillaume of Benson was one of my mentors.
The actors that I have had the pleasure of working with include some of the most famous people in the world - truly a blessing. People like Muhammad Ali,
Ron O'neal, Rosalind Cash, Keanue Reeves, Alfred Woodard, Art Evens,
Lawrence Fishburn, Louis Gossitt Jr., Rae Dawn Chung, Moses Gunn, Antonio Fargos, Robert Guillaume, Mark Curry, Cuba Gooding Jr., Holly Robinson Peete,
Robert Hooks, Kevin Hooks, Al Fann, Melvin Van Peebles, Redd Fox, and the list goes on. I also worked on a lot of the Black Exploitation Movies in the 70's such as Black Belt Jones, The Hammer, Corn Bread Earl and Me, and so on.
I enjoyed my time living and working in Hollywood. As a person of strong faith I truly believe in the power of prayer and determination. Much of this got me through both the good and bad periods in my life, but most of all I feel very much I was destined to become a costumer and wardrobe stylist because all I did was breathe and eat fashion, clothes and style. What I did as a costumer in the film industry, enjoying creating characters with clothes with a passion, was an absolute joy. For 35 years I have enjoyed the process of making movies, and I am thankful and grateful.
Raggz
Neal Hodges
Bernie Davidson
PO Box 605073, Cleveland OH 44105-0073
CEO Harold Crawford (323)899-6799 stylebycrawford@gmail.com EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Neil Hodges (818)744-0922 remingtondreams@gmail.com CHAIRMAN Bernie Davidson (216)789-1140 bernie.davidson10@gmail.com
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