• Claudie is a dreamer and storyteller, though she doesn’t realize the second part of herself quite yet and sees herself as someone with no talent, which makes her insecure.
• Claudie often ends up daydreaming and losing her focus. She doesn’t realize until later how good she is at making up stories in her head.
• She is incredibly shy around strangers and when public speaking. She hasn’t done any solo performances, mainly due to her anxiety.
• She is noted to be very responsible, especially with her little brother, and never breaks a promise.
• She enjoys learning about history, curious to learn about how life came to be as it was. “Besides, if you understood how life came to be, you could also imagine how it might someday be different.”
• Claudie likes to read the funnies in the newspaper every morning, and visits Angelo’s Bakery every afternoon, as her dad will give her a special treat. She also likes watching the writers at the café across the street.
• Claudie takes dance classes with the Harlem Angels, who dance in ballet, tap and African dance. She has poor motor skills however, and can “barely sway in time.” This embarrasses her, but she likes dancing when she’s alone or just with her family.
• She also says that she’s “no singer” and sings quietly in church so nobody can hear her. However, Selma believes she has a beautiful voice.
• She was born and raised entirely in Harlem. Claudie’s family lived in a cramped apartment when Claudie was “little,” but she doesn’t remember it, and only remembers Miss Amelia’s boardinghouse. Her parents sometimes talk about finding their own apartment, but Claudie likes the crowded and noisy house.
• Three years before, in February, Claudie, Jody and Mama waved a flag in the Hellfighters welcome home parade, waiting for Daddy. Claudie remembers being bundled in “the prettiest blue coat.” An older white woman cried happily beside her; she also spotted Mr. Rockefeller. She finally saw Daddy with a fold metal, and Claudie called for him, though she thought he wouldn’t see her. However, when the formation broke, she ran right into her father’s arms, and felt like she was flying.
• Claudie vaguely remembers people marching or fighting in the street that summer, because she couldn’t go outside to play. She didn’t realize at the time this was the Red Summer.
• For her eighth birthday, Claudie got a leather-bound maroon notebook from her mother. She still hasn’t written in it.
• The previous Christmas, Miss Amelia had sewn Claudie several finger puppets. Daddy made a stage out of cardboard box, and Mama used scraps of fabric to make the curtains. She uses her set to tell Jodie stories at bedtime. The three characters she has are Domino the cat, Puddles the duck, and Miss Pink the pig. Domino is a poor dancer like her. She considers the puppet show as “just a thing” she does for her brother.

The model/face of Claudie Wells, Rio Dianna Lewis! [x]

Whimsical style meets serious sparkle. Designer Samantha Black—in collaboration with Harlem’s Fashion Row®—creates a modern take on 1920s opulence in this special-edition outfit that’s gilded in gold.

Timeless design meets starlet shine. Designer Samantha Black—in collaboration with Harlem’s Fashion Row®—puts 1920s glamour in the spotlight with this special-edition outfit that shines from head to toe.

Soulful jazz meets modern pizazz. Designer Samantha Black—in collaboration with Harlem’s Fashion Row®—composes a modern take on 1920s style in this special-edition outfit that pairs a playful dress silhouette with a little bit of luxe.

Claudie’s Yellow Bloom Pajamas