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Posts tagged as “black models”

Documentary “Donayle Luna: Super Model” on 1st Black Supermodel Debuts September 13 on HBO

Documentary “Donayle Luna: Super Model” on 1st Black Supermodel Debuts September 13 on HBO

By goodblacknews on September 1, 2023

“Donayle Luna was the first Black woman to be on the cover of Vogue. Why don’t we know more about her?”

This pointed question from the recently released trailer for Donyale Luna: Super Model will hopefully no longer be relevant after the feature-length documentary about Luna’s life and career debuts on HBO September 13.

Born Peggy Anne Freeman in Detroit, Donyale Luna went on to revolutionize the fashion industry in the 1960s and 1970s, becoming the muse to some of the foremost photographers of the 20th century until her untimely death at the age of 33 in 1979.

Though Luna was one of the first Black models who graced the covers of both Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar in Europe, today, most people have never heard of her.

Directed by Nailah Jefferson, produced by Melissa Kramer, Isoul H. Harris, Melanie Sharee and executive produced by Jonathan Chinn, Simon Chinn, Jeff Friday, Dream Cazzaniga, participants in the doc include Luna’s daughter, Dream Cazzaniga, husband, Luigi Cazzaniga, supermodels Beverly Johnson and Pat Cleveland; Vogue global editor-at-large Hamish Bowles; photographers David Bailey, David McCabe, and Gideon Lewin; and many more.

GBN highlighted Luna last February in our post GBN’s Daily Drop: Donyale Luna – the First Black Supermodel (LISTEN) based on our entry about her in the Good Black News Page-A-Day Calendar for 2022.

We are looking forward to learning even more about this mostly unsung trailblazer in the global fashion industry.

Vogue and YouTube Originals Documentary Series “Supreme Models” Chronicles History, Impact and Influence of Black Models (WATCH TRAILER)

Vogue and YouTube Originals Documentary Series “Supreme Models” Chronicles History, Impact and Influence of Black Models (WATCH TRAILER)

By goodblacknews on September 27, 2022

Vogue and YouTube Originals explore the legacy of Black models with a six-part documentary series based on Marcellas Reynolds’ 2019 book, SUPREME MODELS: Iconic Black Women Who Revolutionized Fashion.

The series chronicles the evolution of Black beauty and its impact on the fashion industry, the civil rights movement, the “Black is Beautiful” era and the influence on American culture:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fu2Prg0GTg

Supreme Models features trailblazers such as Iman and Bethann Hardison to superstar models Joan Smalls, Indya Moore and Precious Lee with legends including Pat Cleveland, Roshumba Williams and Veronica Webb.

Anna Wintour, Chief Content Officer, Condé Nast and Global Editorial Director, Vogue, as well as Vogue European Editorial Director Edward Enniful, Vogue.com editor Chioma Nnadi and more also share personal stories of these boundary breaking women who set new standards in the worlds of beauty and fashion – from the 1960s to the unlimited potential of the digital age today.

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Australian Sudanese Model Duckie Thot is Stunning New Face of L’Oréal Paris

By goodblacknews on September 26, 2018
Duckie Thot Announced as New L’Oréal Paris Global Ambassador
Duckie Thot (photo via L’Oréal Paris)

Duckie Thot, an Australian model of Sudanese descent, just put some major points on the board for inclusivity and diversity in the beauty industry. A Fenty Beauty muse, the rising star just signed on as the newest global ambassador for L’Oréal Paris.

Even with game-changing newer beauty brands constantly pushing for more diversity in the industry (Fenty Beauty’s 40-shade range of foundations was so innovative when it dropped that its foundation won Time’s “Invention of the Year” award in 2017), there are still a lot of strides to be made. Case in point: Thot, who has appeared in major campaigns for designers including Moschino and Oscar de la Renta, admitted earlier this year that she still has to bring her own foundation to shoots because makeup artists still often don’t often carry shades dark enough to match her skin.

But perhaps the more beauty brands see models like Thot, the more inclusive the industry can actually be. That certainly seems to be the hope behind Thot’s major new gig as a L’Oréal ambassador. “I’m looking forward to helping more girls love the beauty of their dark skin,” she said in a statement. “In my mind, I’m going back in time and telling the young girl I was, ‘Dream big, work hard and trust in yourself girl because one day you’re going to say ‘yes’ to the number-one beauty brand!’”

It’s Thot’s strong voice on inclusivity (in addition to her impressive-as-hell resume) that made her a perfect face for the brand, L’Oréal said. “She launched online conversations where others shared their stories,” the brand told WWD in reference to her speaking out about inequality in the modeling industry. “By speaking out, she has contributed to the redefinition of what [being] a model is. Her uplifting messages are shared to inspire her followers to love themselves.”

Thot will make her L’Oréal debut later this week on the Le Défilé L’Oréal Paris runway show during Paris Fashion Week and will be starring in upcoming campaigns for L’Oréal Volume Million Lashes, Colorista, Rouge Signature, and most notably the brand’s Infallible Foundation. We have a feeling that this time, Thot won’t have to bring her own shade.

Source: https://www.allure.com/story/duckie-thot-loreal-paris-global-ambassador?mbid=social_twitter

Anok Yai Becomes 1st Black Model since Naomi Campbell to Open the Prada Show at Milan Fashion Week

By goodblacknews on March 3, 2018

Model Anok Yai (Getty Images)

by Lauren Alexis Fisher via harpersbazaar.com
Last week, model Anok Yai made history at Prada‘s Fall 2018 show during Milan Fashion Week.
The 19-year-old became the second black model to ever open a Prada show. The first was Naomi Campbell back in 1997. Yes, it’s been over two decades since a woman of color opened a Prada runway.
Anok took to Instagram to thank Miuccia Prada, along with her team, for the opportunity, writing, “Can’t believe I’m the first black woman to open for Prada since queen @iamnaomicampbell, forever grateful.”

The model’s monumental runway walk is especially incredible as she was just discovered last fall while attending Howard University’s homecoming. Weeks later, she signed with Next Models. And just one month ago, she made her runway debut at Prada’s Menswear Fall 2018 show.

Of course, the fact that Prada hasn’t cast a woman of color to open its show in over two decades is problematic in itself. In the past, the brand has come under scrutiny for its lack of diversity both on the runway and in its campaigns. Hopefully, Anok opening the Fall 2018 show is an indication the Italian fashion house is headed in the right direction when it comes to diversity.

Extremely slowly, but surely, more and more brands are recognizing the importance of casting diverse runways. This season’s Fall 2018 shows at New York Fashion Week marked the most racially diverse of all time—with women of color accounting for 37.3% of all castings. Still, there’s a lot of work to be done.

Source: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/models/a18696458/anok-yai-black-model-prada-show/

W Magazine’s Fall Fashion Spread Features All-Black Models with Natural Hair

By goodblacknews on July 23, 2015
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Spread in W magazine’s August 2015 issue featuring only black models (W MAGAZINE)

They’re gorgeous photos.
Not that we’re depending on mainstream magazines to validate or show love to natural hair and chocolate-complexioned models, but W Magazine did a great job including an all-black model ensemble for a photo spread in its August 2015 edition.
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Spread in W magazine’s August 2015 issue featuring only black models (W MAGAZINE)

Six models—Ajak Deng, Amilna Estevao, Anais Mali, Aya Jones, Binx Walton and Tami Williams—appear in a variety of fashion spreads. Their clothes are rich and patterned, and they’re all rocking a natural hairstyle. Apparently, black is the new black. Check out the photos below:
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Spread in W magazine’s August 2015 issue featuring only black models (W MAGAZINE)
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Spread in W magazine’s August 2015 issue featuring only black models (W MAGAZINE)
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Work it, ladies.
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original article by Diana Ozemebhoya Eromosele via theroot.com; additions by Lori Lakin Hutcherson