The New York fashion scene is buzzing as some of the world’s hottest designers show off their latest collections around the city during New York Fashion Week.
But we can’t talk about the future, without honoring some of the most iconic Black models in history who have paved the way for the industry’s current crop of stars.
Beverly Johnson, Pat Cleveland and Donyale Lune are just some of the models who have made history.
Actress/model Beverly Johnson made history in August 1974 as the first Black model to appear on the cover of American Vogue. The Buffalo, New York native has appeared on over 500 magazine covers and walked the runway for iconic designers, including Calvin Klein and Oscar de la Renta.
When it comes to Black male models, Renauld White was definitely a trailblazer. In November 1979, he became the first African American male model and the second Black male (following Urs Althaus) to land a spot on the cover of GQ. White began his modeling career in the 1960s and worked with designers, including Ralph Lauren, Bill Blass, Calvin Klein and Donna Karan. Also an actor, Renauld was known for playing William Reynolds on “Guiding Light” between 1986 to 1992.
A scholarship to study merchandising and textile design at the Fashion Institute of Technology brought model Naomi Sims from her native Pittsburgh to New York City. Once there, a counselor at the school convinced her to pursue a career in modeling and her career took off. Considered on the first supermodels, Sims made history as the first Black model to appear on the cover of Ladies Home Journal in 1968.
Somalian-born model/actress Iman was discovered by well-known fashion photographer Peter Beard while she was a student at the University of Nairobi. The photos he took of her caught the eye of New York modeling agencies and earned her spots in some of the hottest runway shows and on the cover of the most popular fashion magazines.
Supermodel Veronica Webb has appeared on covers of legendary fashion magazines, including Vogue and Elle. A muse to designers like Karl Lagerfeld and Isaac Mizrahi, she was the first Black person to secure an exclusive cosmetics contract when she signed a deal with Revlon in 1990.
Grace Jones burst onto the scene as a model in the late 1970s appearing on the covers of Elle and Vogue and walking runways for designers like Yves Saint Laurent. A regular fixture at the legendary Studio 54 nightclub in New York City, she was the girl everyone wanted to make an appearance at their party.
In 1966, Donyale Luna was the first Black model to land a spot on the cover of British Vogue. Her legacy has left a lasting impact on the fashion industry, with fashion-forward celebrities, including actress Zendaya and her stylist Law Roach among those who consider her one of their style inspirations.
When it comes to supermodels, Naomi Campbell is one of the GOATs. The British model and actress has been one of the most sought-after faces in the industry since the late 1980s. Campbell has graced the cover of over 500 magazines and has appeared in campaigns for famous fashion houses, including Versace, Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent.
Campbell has also taken her talents to the screen with acting credits that include roles in Empire and American Horror Story.
Model Bethann Hardison’s career in the fashion industry in the 1970s, modeling for designers including Halston, Calvin Klein and Oscar de la Renta. A tireless advocate for the rights of women and people of color, she’s also the mother of actor Kadeem Hardison.
Pat Cleveland began to make a name for herself as a model in the 1960s. And while she was being shot by well-known photographers, she wasn’t getting magazine covers as the industry was resistant to feature women of color.
In 1971, Cleveland moved to France, saying she wouldn’t return until a Black model was featured on the cover of American Vogue. She made good on her promise and didn’t come back until Beverly Johnson made the cover in 1974.
In the 1990s, model/actor Tyson Beckford was known as the face of Ralph Lauren. During his red hot career, he appeared on some of the hottest runways around the world and in music videos for artists including Toni Braxton and SWV. In 1995 he was named as one of People magazine’s “Most Beautiful People.”
One of the first male supermodels, Sterling St. Jacques captivated the fashion industry with his 6'2" frame and his piercing blue eyes. When he wasn’t walking runways for designers like Calvin Klein, he was a regular at New York City’s iconic Studio 54 nightclub.
Martinique-born model Monique-Antoine “Mounia” Orosemane is known as Yves Saint Laurent’s first Black muse. She made history in 1978 as the first Black model to walk a couture runway when she appeared in the Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture show in 1978.
