Fear Fashion celebrates Black History Month by giving a fashion shout-out to one of the most disgruntled and nattily dressed doormen in a slasher movie: Winston the doorman from Mother’s Day (1980).

Sleazy exploitation-slasher MOTHER’S DAY is an ’80s offering set on the east coast with filming locations in New Jersey and New York. Winston (played by the late Ed Battle, who died 30 years ago today, Feb 23, 1993) makes his appearance in a New York City scene as a doorman for a Manhattan apartment building. This position wasn’t all that common among African Americans, particularly in the late 70s. Therefore, it’s amusing to note the clear contempt Winston has for building resident and MOTHER’S DAY main protagonist Jackie. She enters the building lobby with a smile, greeting him happily. He glances briefly at her, giving her a flicker of attention before turning back to the book, his face betraying his indifference. While a competent doorman’s skill set should include a friendly demeanor and a strong understanding of customer service, Winston serves her the opposite of customer service and pleasantries by outwardly rolling his eyes and making faces behind her back. Whether he is just not a people person or he just can’t stand her, he obviously prefers to read his book than interact with her. 

How he’s dressed: Winston wears a formal suit jacket in deep Cardin green, a color that matches his chilly demeanor toward Jackie. The collar features black contrast peaked lapels and a medallion crest decorating the left sleeve. The jacket is worn over a crisp white button-down shirt. His Pershing-style uniform hat is ornamented with another brass medallion crest above two rows of silver braid and matching cord, and the visor is made of gleaming dark patent leather. The traditional tie is ditched for a black ribbon bow tie. Winston’s uniform jacket, slim black pants, and hat were perhaps custom-designed by family-owned I. Buss & Allen Uniform Co., the go-to uniform designer for New York City real estate companies since 1892.

The entire look is best viewed during Winston’s final scene. In this scene, he runs down the hall lobby and through the building door after Jackie as she rushes off to her weekend in hell. Her suggestion to find something to do if he’s “free for the weekend” triggers Winston to scream after her, “I’ll never be free as long as I’m a Black man in America!”

FEAR FASHION feels your proletariat outrage Winston, and for that, we salute you.

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