1967, Donyale Luna
Supermodel Donayale Luna was one of the world’s most beautiful women in the 1960s. Born Peggy Ann Freeman in Detroit, Luna began modeling in 1965 and within months, an article in Time magazine declared 1966 to be “The Luna Year.” She was the first Black model to appear on the cover of British Vogue, was a muse to
1974, Beverly Johnson
Gorgeous Beverly Johnson made worldwide headlines when she became the first Black model to land the cover of American Vogue in 1974. Her cover had such a powerful effect on the fashion industry that, by 1975, all of the major mainstream magazines had run a woman of color on the cover. Not content to just be one of the world’s most
1975, Iman
One of the most versatile, wildly glamorous models to ever grace a runway or a glossy, Iman Abdulmajid was discovered by photographer Peter Beard while at Nairobi University in 1975. She immediately moved to America and never looked back. After enjoying two decades as one of the industry’s greatest faces (that endless neck!)
1978, Mounia
Martinique-born supermodel Mounia was not only one of the top Black models in the late ‘70s, she was designer Yves Saint Laurent’s greatest inspiration. In 2008, she told WWD, “I was YSL’s first Black muse…he called me Moumounn. The collection that made me a celebrity was the one inspired by ‘Porgy and Bess.’ Catherine Deneuve
1980, Grace Jones
Born in Jamaica in 1948, Grace Jones took the modeling world by storm as a fabulously androgynous 1970s supermodel — but soon, her unforgettable voice took center stage. Inspired by everything from David Bowie to reggae, Jones became a dance music diva, releasing albums like “Nightclubbing” and “Slave to the Rhythm.” Her to-the-max personal style made her a muse to the most exciting artists of the era (think Andy Warhol, Basquiat and wildman designer Thierry Mugler).
1985, Waris Dirie
Supermodel Waris Dirie was born into a nomadic tribe in Somalia, and ran away at age 13 to avoid marriage a much older man. After working odd jobs in London, she was discovered by photographer Terence Donovan, who shot her for her the cover of the 1987 Pirelli calendar. From there, she became a star, landing ads for Chanel, Levi’s, L’Oréal and Revlon. She’s become an outspoken activist against female genital mutilation, and wrote two bestselling memoirs, “Desert Dawn” and “Desert Flower” about her experience with the atrocity. A film about Waris’ fascinating life, “Desert Flower,” was released in 2011 starring Liya Kebede (flawless casting!).
1989, Louise Vyent
Surinamese/Dutch beauty Louise Vyent’s delicate, sultry beauty made her a favorite of beauty companies during her heyday in the ‘80s. Not only did she appear on the cover of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, she graced the 1990 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and was a favorite of Revlon. Here, she poses between Beverly Johnson and Iman in a legendary “Revlon Unforgettable Woman” campaign in ’89.
lovely
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