Donyale Luna(01 of25)
Open Image ModalThe Detroit native, who was born Peggy Ann Freeman, graced the 1966 cover of British Vogue, just eight years before Beverly Johnson landed on the American version of the magazine. She also showed off her acting chops in Andy Warhol's "Camp" and Federico Fellini's "Satyricon." Photo: Time Life Pictures / Getty Images (credit:Time Life Pictures / Getty Images)
Princess Elizabeth of Toro(02 of25)
Open Image ModalThe Ugandan royal's style resume reads impressively: modeling in a 1967 British fashion show hosted by the United Kingdom's Princess Margaret, posing for a spread in American Vogue and sharing the November 1969 cover of Harper's Bazaar. Photo: Evening Standard / Getty Images (credit:Evening Standard / Getty Images)
Naomi Sims(03 of25)
Open Image ModalConsidered the "first black supermodel" for appearing on the cover of Ladies Home Journal in November 1968, Sims' career included modeling for leading designers like Halston and Giorgio di Sant'Angelo, as well as create a multimillion-dollar hair extensions line. Photo: Yale Joel, Time & Life Pictures / Getty Images (credit:Yale Joel, Time & Life Pictures / Getty Images)
Beverly Johnson(04 of25)
Open Image ModalJohnson did the unimaginable when she landed the August 1974 cover of American Vogue. The model went on secure over 500 magazine covers, launch a line of wigs and snag a reality show deal on Oprah's OWN network.Photo: Francesco Scavullo, from "Nostalgia In Vogue"
Mounia(05 of25)
Open Image ModalThe Martinique-born beauty (pictured lower right) was the first black model Yves Saint Laurent used in his haute couture shows. Photo: Foc Kan, WireImage (credit:Foc Kan, WireImage)
Grace Jones(06 of25)
Open Image ModalBefore penning electro dance hits like "Pull Up to the Bumper" and showing off her acting chops in "Conan the Destroyer" and "Boomerang," Jones' started out as a model for Andy Warhol. Michael Ochs Archive, Getty Images (credit:Michael Ochs Archive, Getty Images)
Versailles Models of 1973(07 of25)
Open Image ModalVersailles Models of 1973(08 of25)
Open Image ModalPat Cleveland, Amina Warsuma and designer Stephen Burrows (center). Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images
Versailles Models of 1973(09 of25)
Open Image ModalChina Machado. Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images
Versailles Models of 1973(10 of25)
Open Image ModalAlva Chinn. Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images
Versailles Models of 1973(11 of25)
Open Image ModalNorma Jean Darden. Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images
Billie Blair(12 of25)
Open Image ModalAs one of the top paid runway models during the '70s and '80s, Blair went from strutting her stuff at auto shows to the catwalks of Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior and Calvin Klein. Photo: Rose Hartman, WireImage (credit:Rose Hartman, WireImage)
Iman(13 of25)
Open Image ModalAfter successfully completing her first modeling assignment for Vogue in 1976, Iman has built an illustrious fashion portfolio including countless magazine covers, editorial spreads, starring in Michael Jackson's "Remember The Time" video and creating cosmetics for women of color. Photo: Ron Galella, WireImage
Renauld White(14 of25)
Open Image ModalWhite was the first African-American model to appear on the November 1979 cover of GQ. In addition to scoring a major ad campaign with Black Tie cologne, he worked the runways of Bill Blass, Calvin Klein, Valentino and Armani. Photo: Neilson Barnard, Getty Images (credit:Neilson Barnard, Getty Images)
Katoucha Niane(15 of25)
Open Image ModalKnown as "The Black Princess," Katoucha was the muse of fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent and modeled for other designers including Christian Lacroix and Thierry Mugler. Photo: Pierre Guillaud, AFP / Getty Images (credit:Pierre Guillaud, AFP / Getty Images)
Waris Dirie(16 of25)
Open Image ModalThe Somali-born model and former James Bond girl was discovered by British photographer Terence Donovan at the age of 18. She secured the cover of the 1987 Pirelli Calendar and appeared in ads for Chanel, Levi's, L'Oreal and Revlon. Photo: Anita Bugge, WireImage (credit:Anita Bugge, WireImage)
Naomi Campbell(17 of25)
Open Image ModalCampbell's staying power in the fashion world is built on many firsts, including being the first black supermodel to appear on the covers of Time magazine and French and British Vogue. Photo: Ron Galella, WireImage (credit:Ron Galella, WireImage)
Veronica Webb(18 of25)
Open Image ModalHaving appeared in British Vogue, on the cover of French Elle, and Italian Vogue, Webb had a major career breakthrough in 1992 when she signed an exclusive contract with cosmetics giant Revlon, becoming the first black model to do so. Photo: Rose Hartman, WireImage (credit:Rose Hartman, WireImage)
Tyra Banks(19 of25)
Open Image ModalGetting her feet wet on the Parisian runways at a very young age, Tyra's standout moments was when she became the first African-American woman to appear on the covers of GQ and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. Photo: WireImage
Tyson Beckford(20 of25)
Open Image ModalThe Bronx-born hunk became the face of Polo Sport when he signed an exclusive two-year contract with Ralph Lauren in 1993. He was later tapped to front Tommy Hilfiger, Guess Raw Denim and Sean John. Photo: Evan Agostini, Liaison / Getty Images (credit:Evan Agostini, Liaison / Getty Images)
Kimora Lee Simmons(21 of25)
Open Image ModalFrom earning an exclusive contract with Chanel (and becoming Karl Lagerfeld's muse) to posing for famed photographers Peter Lindberg, Annie Leibovitz and Patrick Demarchellier, Simmons has worked very hard since the tender age of 13 to live her "life in the fab lane." Photo: Evan Agostini/Liaison
Roshumba(22 of25)
Open Image ModalRoshumba, whose name means "beautiful" in Swahili, started her careers as a fit model for Yves Saint Laurent before going on to walk in the designer's haute couture shows and appearing in the coveted Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition. Photo: Galella, Ltd., WireImage (credit:Ron Galella, Ltd., WireImage)
Joy Bryant(23 of25)
Open Image ModalLiya Kebede(24 of25)
Open Image ModalJessica White(25 of25)
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