Robin Shumays

Upon its debut in 1986, Under the Cherry Moon (UTCM) was dismissed by critics and fans alike as a vanity piece with little substance. Critics Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel, who had high praise for Purple Rain two years previous, gave UTCM “Two Thumbs Down” and even placed it on their worst films of the year list. Other critics called it an “adolescent notion of sophistication” and an “exercise in narcissism.”

Despite its dismissal by many, the film does in fact make some important statements about class, wealth, and race in Reagan-era America that should be explored.

African Americans have often looked to fashion as a gateway to autonomy. Black dandyism emerged from this desire for freedom and freedom of expression. Fashion historian Dr. Jonathan Michael Square noted “…fashion became a way for Black men to claim space in a society that sought to deny them full citizenship.”

The characters Christopher Tracy and Tricky have access to money, and as they navigate high society spaces along the French Riviera, fashion becomes an aesthetic code-switch. And yet, despite being impeccably dressed at all times, they are still viewed as “peasants.” Christopher’s interracial romance with Mary further exposes the limits of his acceptance into her world, leading him to determine that Mary must be “brought down” to his.

This essay explores how fashion gives Christopher and Tricky access to white European elitism, yet it cannot overturn class and racial barriers. We will also take a closer look as to the ways in which fashion defines the characters in the film.

Robin Shumays is a multi-talented artist and designer based in Queens, N.Y. She’s the creative force behind the dazzling and edgy fashion brand hennaflower, which has made its mark on NYC runways during shows for Harlem Fashion Week and Africa Fashion Week, among others.

Robin’s creativity doesn’t stop at fashion; she is currently studying classic burlesque, acting, and singing in order to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming the ultimate theater kid. She is also a co-founder and dancer with Zikrayat, an Arabic Music and Dance Ensemble that has performed at venues such as Lincoln Center and Brooklyn Museum. In the world of day jobs, she has worked in web development, graphic design, social media strategy, and is currently a User Experience Engineer at Guardian Life.

A die-hard Prince fan since 1984, Robin is proud to have presented several papers on his work over the last few years. In 2021, she presented “Punk, Paisleys and Polkadots” at the 78-88: Prince, The First Decade: Interdisciplinary Conference. In 2022 and 2023 she presented “Bedlah Bedlam: An Exploration of Orientalist Fantasy and Fashion Via the Lens of Prince Rogers Nelson” and “Like a (Nasty) Girl Group” at the #SexyMF30 and #TripleThreat40 symposia. She produces and co-hosts a webinar podcast on Prince called The Purple Paradigm with her bestie, Dr. Mauri De Govia. Once upon a time, Robin even held a dream job as an administrative assistant at Paisley Park Music (Paisley’s short-lived music publishing wing).

Of all of her varied career and creative pursuits, Robin’s most treasured role is that of a mother to her very sweet and talented teen daughter, Mehrunnisa.