Beauty is self-discipline. — Maxine (photo by Tony Ding) Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson — these stars owe much their stage presence to Maxine. In the 1950s and 60s, Maxine ran her own charm school, the Maxine Powell Finishing and Modeling School, out of a giant house in Detroit. When she graduated from the famous Madame C.J. Walker Beauty School, Maxine was already renowned for her manners and class. Soon enough, Motown execs brought her in to the studio to train young talent how to woo the crowds (and the press). As Mary Wilson remembered, Maxine didn't just teach the stars "shoulders back" or "pinkies out." "These were tools for us as human beings," she said.
A Woman to Know: Maxine Powell
A Woman to Know: Maxine Powell
A Woman to Know: Maxine Powell
Beauty is self-discipline. — Maxine (photo by Tony Ding) Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson — these stars owe much their stage presence to Maxine. In the 1950s and 60s, Maxine ran her own charm school, the Maxine Powell Finishing and Modeling School, out of a giant house in Detroit. When she graduated from the famous Madame C.J. Walker Beauty School, Maxine was already renowned for her manners and class. Soon enough, Motown execs brought her in to the studio to train young talent how to woo the crowds (and the press). As Mary Wilson remembered, Maxine didn't just teach the stars "shoulders back" or "pinkies out." "These were tools for us as human beings," she said.