Anthony Henderson Strong, 45, a former Philadelphia celebrity and successful stylist to the stars, long-time wardrobe consultant for The Daily News’s Sexy Singles Show, entrepreneur, and gay father appeared in the 2015 “Love Has No Marks” ad campaign, on Wednesday, May 11, of lymphoma at Grady Hospital in Atlanta.
Raised in Philadelphia, graduated from Martin Luther King High School in 1995, Mr. Henderson Strong blended his fashion instincts with a dynamic work ethic into a character drawn to style connoisseurs and celebrities.
Choose clothes for actors, athletes, singers, news anchors, dancers and ballrooms. He created wardrobes for movies and toured with hip-hop star Eve. Following the example of how his mother, Jacqueline Tolbert Cooper, dressed him as a child—think five-piece suits—focus less on labels and more on the fabric’s quality, fit, and fit for the occasion.
Magazine writers described him as “smooth” and “fast” for his ability to quickly outfit models backstage. After making national connections through his regional work with models, he dressed, among other things, singer Kelly Price for the 2012 Grammy Awards, actress Cheryl Lee Ralph of Abbott Elementary and Temple University professor and TV personality Marc Lamont Hill.
“It was his identity Getting to HollywoodHis husband, Jason Henderson Strong said. “Every part of it was fashion.”
Mr. Henderson Strong and his wife and son Marcelino appeared in a 2015 ad campaign for social tolerance by the Advertising Council that featured an animated video that attracted 56 million views and follow stories in Newsweek, Ebony and other publications. The men met in 2005, married in 2015, and adopted sons Marcelino and Gieden and daughter Gila.
“It was a moment for our entire family to bond together, and with our marriage, it felt like we were all family now,” Mr. Henderson Strong told The Inquirer in 2015.
The partners were good listeners and had interesting conversations about religion, spirituality, travel, and relationships. The family moved from Philadelphia to Los Angeles in 2007, and to Atlanta in 2015.
He was a loving husband and he loved his children,” Jason Henderson Strong said. “He was humble and always made sure he was helping others.”
For more than a decade, Mr. Henderson Strong has been grateful for his success, mentoring others and creating showcases for Philadelphia designers and designers, and events for the benefit of the Philadelphia community. He’s consulted with participants in the Daily News’s famous hot bachelors matchmaking events for years and has been a welcome guest at Oscar parties and social gatherings.
He received a Penn State citation in 2019 for his community work, and the annual Social Cocktail Spring fashion show and barbershops who cater to free back-to-school events are widely acclaimed. His “17 Days of … Fashion” and the Philadelphia Fashion Consortium—nearly twenty fashion and philanthropic events over the course of 17 days in Philadelphia— cemented his place in the city’s consciousness.
“We will truly miss Anthony for his talent and dedication to giving back to his community,” a friend said in an online tribute.
Born February 3, 1977, Mr. Henderson Strong was diagnosed with cancer in April. He was a man who believed in his family. He followed the eagles, read erotic stories, and loved to watch opera and the Housewives Shows on TV.
He was thrilled when the Fashion District appeared on Market Street in Center City a few years ago, often traveling from wherever he was to attend events in the city.
“He was a wise man,” said his younger sister, Lisa Wilkes. “He was always thinking, always planning something.”
His wife said: For him, charity began at home. He loved his family, and he loved Philadelphia.”
In addition to his husband, sons, daughter, mother and sister, Mr. Henderson Strong is survived by other relatives. His father, Harold Henderson, died on January 12.
The services are suspended.
Donations in his name may be made to the Los Angeles LGBT Center, 1118 N. McCadden Place, Los Angeles, California 90038.