Mame Wade As Josephine Baker by Koto Bolofo for Vogue Greece Holiday 2023 AOC Fashion

Paris-based, Senegalese-heritage model Mame Wade channels the spirit and physical image of American-born, French heroine Josephine Baker in this Vogue Greece December 2023 holidays story.

Wade is photographed by Koto Bolofo [IG] in the sophisticated, luxury-elegance fashion story styled by Nicholas Georgiou.

Ms. Wade, who is also known as Mameanta Wade and Mame Anta, honors Josephine Baker own words and sentiments on her IG:

Surely the day will come when color means nothing more than the skin tone, when religion is seen uniquely as a way to speak one's soul, when birth places have the weight of a throw of the dice and all men are born free, when understanding breeds love and brotherhood.

Multiple times in 2023, AOC has referenced stories about race relations in Europe vs America, and the 20th century rise of cafe society, as a lifestyle choice between artists and creatives and the monied set.

Josephine Baker had such a relationship with Princess Grace of Monaco, one that was a very genuine friendship between the two women.

Few places in New York City ranked higher on list of cafe society supper clubs than Manhattan’s Stork Club. Perhaps they had been introduced in Europe, but the friendship between Kelly and Baker was not one of soul sisters until the Stork Club.

Grace Kelly and Josephine Baker at the Manhattan Stork Club [1951]

On October 16, 1951, Josephine Baker arrived at the Stork Club to celebrate her final performance at the Roxy. This was five years before Grace Kelly would marry Prince Ranier of Monaco in 1956.

It’s time for Anne to visit the New York Times wayback machine. This moment, we return to Baker’s table. Follow link top of page.