Hair Coloring

Popularized hair-coloring products, wigs

Published: Monday, 16 April 2007 09:09:36
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Made a name for herself among city's beauty shop owners, hairdressers, stylists in 1960s

BY FRANK MAIN

Clora Yarborough became a household name among beauty shop owners, hairdressers and stylists in Chicago for helping to introduce hair-coloring products and wigs to African-American women in the 1960s.

Mrs. Yarborough, 83, died Wednesday at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park after suffering a stroke in January.

A native of Louisiana, she migrated to Chicago and worked in beauty shops after World War II, said her daughter, Leontine H. Jones. In 1948, she opened her own shop at 215 E. 54th.

"She always did my hair," Jones said. "She could always tell when I was eating junk because my hair wasn't shiny."

In the early 1960s, Mrs. Yarborough became a technician for Wella hair-coloring products. She worked at beauty shows throughout the Midwest.

"Black people did not use a lot of hair color like blond and brunette," Jones said.

Exhausted from her traveling, Mrs. Yarborough did not have the time or energy to do her own hair, so she started buying wigs from department stores.

"People saw her hair and wanted it, too," Jones said.

Mrs. Yarborough seized the opportunity and opened Wig Chateau. She bought wigs at wholesale prices in New York and Chicago, and sold them from her retail shop near 70th and Princeton.

Helped the homeless

"Movie stars and elite people used wigs, but the general population did not," Jones said. "The business was basically to help other people. She did not make a lot of money out of it."

In later life, Mrs. Yarborough sold Avon beauty products.

"She was businesslike and serious-minded," her daughter said. "She was a hard worker."

Joann Hawkins was a friend of Mrs. Yarborough for the last two decades. They both worked for a South Side antique dealer and worshipped at Bryn Mawr Community Church near Mrs. Yarborough's home in the 7000 block of South Jeffery.

"Clora was one of the sweetest persons you would want to meet," Hawkins said. "She was a very giving and kind person. She has helped homeless people, people who needed food and clothing, even people who just got out of prison."

Mrs. Yarborough's late husband, Joseph Yarborough, owned a South Side gas station and ran a linoleum business.

She also is survived by a sister, Larneva Williams, and three grandsons.

A wake will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Carter Funeral Chapels, 2100 E. 75th. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Apostolic Church of God, 6320 S. Dorchester. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, 11500 S. Fairfield.

Source: Chicago Sun-Times