Contrary to what some industry insiders led us to believe at the time about the discovery of one of the world’s top models, Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid was not found poor and underprivileged in a dusty field in her native Somalia and then thrust into the glossy, high fashion world. Iman was the daughter of a Continue Reading
Grace Jones began her career as an actress after having studied theater at Onondaga Community College. Born in 1948 in Spanish Town, Jamaica the siren relocated to Syracuse, New York at the age of 17. By the mid-to-late 1970s, Jones had secured a record deal with Island Records. She enjoyed a string of dance-club hits Continue Reading
While Mounia may have been Yves Saint Laurent’s first black muse, Katoucha carried on her legacy as one of the house’s most beloved models. Born in 1960 in Guinea, Katoucha was the daughter of author, historian, and playwright Djibril Tamsir Niane. In the 1980′s she moved to France and began her modeling career, first stomping Continue Reading
Princess Elizabeth of Toro’s large eyes and regal stature enraptured American audiences, who were seduced by her graceful gaze and royal lineage. Born in 1936, Elizabeth was the daughter of one of the kings of the four tribes who formerly ruled Uganda. She attended the most prestigious boarding schools and universities. Elizabeth was the third Continue Reading
While Sterling St. Jacques made a splash at Studio 54, male model Renauld White revolutionized the industry by demanding equal representation in mainstream publications. In November 1979, White was the first African-American model to appear on the cover of GQ magazine (a fact oft overlooked as the first black man to cover GQ was Swiss Continue Reading
While many names in our Black History Month series may seem somewhat obscure, classic beauty Beverly Johnson is probably familiar to most. The Buffalo New York native made history as the first black woman to grace the cover of American Vogue in August 1974. One year later she made history again as the first black Continue Reading
Though not a covergirl or a runway superstar, Charlene Dash made her mark in catalogs and innumerable magazine editorials in the late 60′s and early 70′s. The willowy New Yorker got her big break with a two-page spread in Vogue in January 1968, and subsequently appeared in catalogs, print ads, and TV commercials for brands Continue Reading
Though we tend to think of Tyson Beckford as the consummate ebony Adonis, apparently his singular gait and breathtaking good looks could only hold a candle to those of Sterling St. Jacques, one of the first black male models. With a strong 6’2” build, defined cheekbones, and gray eyes (often covered by blue contacts), St. Continue Reading
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