Supreme Glamour

by Mary Wilson, Mark Bego, Whoopi Goldberg (Introduction)

As Motown’s leading act in the 1960s, The Supremes became synonymous with glamorous, elegant, coordinated ensembles. Supreme Glamour presents founding member Mary Wilson’s unparalleled collection, showcasing thirty-two of the group’s most eye-catching gowns, meticulously reassembled and photographed on the Grammy Museum stage. Detailed captions accompany each photograph, providing information about the design, fabric, and embellishments of each ensemble, as well as the occasion on which each was first worn.


In addition to the fashion history of The Supremes, the book chronicles the evolution of the group and celebrates the cultural icons they became. Engaging and insightful narrative text by Mary Wilson and close personal friend Mark Bego is interspersed among hundreds of archival photos. Packed with anecdotes and insights, Mary Wilson tells the complete story of The Supremes, both on- and off- stage, from their founding in Detroit in 1959 as The Primettes to their 1964 breakthrough hit, “Where Did Our Love Go,” and from the departure of Diana Ross to The Supremes’ disco hits of the 1970s. Supreme Glamour builds a complete picture of the charm, sophistication, and magic of The Supremes.

Genres: Music, Fashion, Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Biography Memoir

240 pages, Hardcover

First published September 17, 2019

About the author

Mary Wilson was best known as a founding member and longest member of the Supremes. Wilson remained with the group following the departures of other original members, Florence Ballard and Diana Ross. Following Wilson's own departure in 1977, the group disbanded. Wilson has since released three solo albums, five singles and two best-selling autobiographies, Dreamgirl: My Life As a Supreme, a record setter for sales in its genre, and Supreme Faith: Someday We'll Be Together; both books later were released as an updated combination

Librarians note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Shannan Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best things about this book, is there was no mud slinging like some stories. The author protected both sides. And seeing the outfits they wore, a lot of them in color was such a beautiful sight.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous! Mary Wilson, an original member, shares so much that I didn’t know about this groundbreaking super group. And the pictures are wonderful—glamorous, elegant gowns clearly photographed in full color, with close-ups of the details. This is a book for Supremes fans, for fans of stage costume, for lovers of glamour.

[Yenta Knows · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many stories and details and perspectives that are missing from this book. I’m going to look elsewhere for answers to my questions about musical development and money and racism.

But this book is the relentlessly upbeat voice of Mary Wilson and visuals of the gorgeous costumes she and her Supreme-mates wore. The costumes had names. One weighed 35 pounds. One had feathers, which detached during a performance and flew through the air. Fancy trying to hold a note while choking!

I could snark that this is Mary Wilson trying to wring every penny she can out of her Supremes years. That would be true, but so very much besides the point. Mary loved being a Supreme. She loved the glamour and the gowns and the wigs and the jewelry. Who can blame her? I’m glad that she gained wealth beyond her imagining. And hope that Mary shared her good fortune with her illiterate mother, who raised a songbird daughter in a Detroit public housing project.

[Sadie Whiteley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely gorgeous photos. The gowns are insane.

[kat kovalenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

beauuuuutiful gowns

[Davethorson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This "coffee table" book of the fashion history of the Supremes is fun to peruse. It is written by the only lady to remain in the group during its entire history, the recently deceased Mary Wilson.

Some readers have commented that the book omits details that might be viewed in a negative way regarding the group's history, or that it is too glossy of a retelling of same, but I think that's the point. For readers who want to learn more about the group's history, read "Dream Girl: My Life as a Supreme," by the same author. From a reading of that book, one can see that Wilson kept many notes and journals as the Supremes' history is documented in an amazing amount of detail. The earlier book (of two; she later wrote a second book about the group's latter day story, which could have been called "Life After Diana Ross") also contained more background and some slightly repressed animosity towards the most famous member, Ross, than does this volume.

But this book is really meant to "celebrate" the group's history, especially their sense of fashion. It's fun to see the many photos of the gowns and costumes the Supremes wore, especially the ones that are recognizable from album covers or TV specials. Wilson also does give a more general narrative of the group history, and is more generous towards Ross than she was in "Dream Girl." I think this says more about the style of book this is, and that seems appropriate.

So enjoy this one for the photographs, many of which will be new to even diehard Supremes fans. If you really want to know more about the Supremes, good and bad, then seek out the earlier volume, which is well written and well worth reading. Or read this one first and see if it motivates you to learn more about Diane, Mary, Flo, and the later singers who made up the most successful female musical group of all time.

[Betsy Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up in a suburb of Detroit, I will never forget Diana Ross and The Supremes! I loved their glamorous gowns, choreography and poise. This book is told from the perspective of Mary Wilson, the Supreme with the longest run. What I loved the most was the story of the beginnings of the group, as three high school girls come together as the Primettes, soon blossom into The Supremes, and then become an international sensation through the ‘70’s. The book comes packed with up-close photos of the gowns, many of which have been preserved meticulously. These women display such tenacity during the tumultuous ‘60’s. And they possessed such courage by camping out for days on the front lawn of Motown’s Hitsville recording studio, hoping for a shot with Berry Gordy. I loved them then, and love them even more now.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is filled with great information by Mary Wilson, one of the original Supremes. She talks about how Flo and Diana and she got together in a singing group before they were famous. There are lots of interesting stories along with pages and pages of beautiful costumes. Mary had intended to create a museum of their clothing. Unfortunately when she finally retrieved the boxes that had been stored, many of the costumes were missing. I'm sure those costumes were used for other up and coming girl groups. Nevertheless, there are plenty of photos to show the variety of costumes, wigs and hair styles that were so well known to be THE SUPREMES...

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some terrific photographs in here. I've seen many of the gowns at the Grammy Museum and this book does them justice. There are some technical details listed and occasionally some comment by Mary, as well as the various times the gowns appeared on TV or in concert. There is also some writing by Mary about the history of the group. If you've read her two memoirs of the Supremes, you've heard it before, but it's a nice thumbnail sketch of their ups and downs. Proud to have this on my shelf amongst my Rudi Gernreich, Bob Mackie, and swinging sixties books.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a charming book! A great anthology of all of The Supremes fashion. Beautiful photographs that show the bold colors that The Supremes are known for. Personal photographs and antidotes throughout this entire book really showcase how original, glamorous, beautiful The Supremes where.

Too boot… my copy was signed by Mary Wilson! A keepsake for sure!

[Josephine Mattia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book in Coffee Table form, was an exciting read from beginning to end! Mary Wilson give wonderful insight about the fashion clothes that they wore, the history, and the legacy of The Supremes as fashion icons. During the turbulent 60s, Mary, Florence, and Diana (along with Susaye, Scherrie & Cindy) broke barriers, proving there is such a thing as being young, gifted, glamourous and black.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grew up in the time of the Supremes & all the other Motown groups. BEST music ever. This book tells some of the background for the Supremes, but also shows the fashions of the time, particularly for the Supremes.

[Sharell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the definitive lookbook The Superemes, IT girls of the 60s. The gowns and styles were gorgeous back then, festooned with rhinestones and sparkles. It's a great fashion reference for anyone writing a book set during the 60s-70s.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice coffee table focusing on the gowns that The Supremes wore. It is coupled with an overview of their career.

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never before seen photos. A great history lesson of the supremes!

[Joseph Nakonechny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the rare photos in this book, both of the supremes and of the gowns. Also contained a condensed overview of the history of The Supremes.

[Riegs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous

[tana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delicious.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved all the pictures!

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful photos of the many amazing looks of Supreme, along with Mary Wilson's excellent commentary. Felt like I was watching a documentary!

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG...the glamour, the dresses, the Supremes!!

[Carmen C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed it from front to back. Loved learning some of the history behind this fabulous group! The outfits were amazing!