In 1973, WWD gave its readers the heads up on what was to come. A bevy of fresh faces were taking over the runway. They were just the change fashion needed: the Black model had arrived. Icons from the ’70s to the ’80s continuing to grace the runway. Then, as now, the Black model movement on the runway remains a powerful and unapologetic celebration of belonging and beauty.
WWD has covered the runway for over 115 years with succinct coverage of the evolution of the runway. From WWD and the Fairchild Archive, here is a look at the Black model in 50 years of runway coverage.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Pierre Schermann Naomi Sims on the runway at Halston Fall 1972 ready to wear show in New York.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Peter Simins Donyale Luna on the runway at Halston Fall 1974 ready To wear show in New York.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive Ramona Saunders on the runway at Stephen Burrows Fall 1971 ready to wear show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive Armina Warsuma on the runway at Stephen Burrows Fall 1971 ready to wear show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Reginald Gray Carol LaBrie for Kenzo Fall 1973 ready to wear in Paris, France.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Pierre Schermann Norma Jean Darden in Scott Barrie’s Summer 1973 ready to wear collection.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive Jacqueline Matisse for Yves Saint Lauren Rive Gauche spring 1974 in Paris, France.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Pierre Schermann Beverly Johnson on the runway at Halston’s Fall 1973 RTW collection in New York.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Pierre Schermann Adolfo and Pal Henry walk the finale of the Adolfo Fall 1976 presentation in New York.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Pierre Schermann Bethann Hardison in Stephen Burrows Spring 1974 Ready to Wear.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Nick Machalaba Toukie Smith on the runway at Willi Smith for Digits Fall 1973 ready to wear show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Peter Simins Barbara Summers on the runway at Willi Smith Fall 1975 fashion show in New York.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive Jan Maiden on runway at Scott Barrie spring 1976 ready to wear show in New York.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive Model Renauld White in a fur coat from Jeffrey Banks fall 1978 fur collection at Harvey Britol’s Creme Tribute to the Black designer at FITNYC.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive Peggy Dillard-Tonne on the runway at Stephen Burrows World Spring 1978 fashion show at Henri Bendel’s Department Store.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive Sterling St. Jacques on the runway at Fernando Sanchez for Revillon Furs Fall 1976 fashion show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Michel Maurou Hubert de Givenchy’s Black model cabine; Diane Washington, Sandi Bass and Lynn Watts at the Givenchy Atelier, 1979.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Nick Machalaba Jennifer Brice on the runway at Stephen Burrows World Spring 1978 fashion show at Henri Bendel’s Department Store.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Michel Maurou Romney Russo poses in a molded plastic bustier, shawl and skirt from Issey Miyake’s Fall 1980 ready to wear collection in Paris, France.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Guy Marineau Pat Cleveland as the Madonna at the Thierry Mugler Fall 1984 ready to wear collection runway show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive Billie Blair on the runway at Bill Blass Spring 1980 ready to wear fashion show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive Alva Chinn on the runway at the Giorgio Sant’Angelo Fall 1987 ready to wear fashion show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive Sandi Bass, Rebecca Ayoko and Melissa Doucoure on the runway at Emanuel Ungaro Spring 1983 ready to wear fashion show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive Iman and Mounia on the runway at Calvin Klein Collection Spring 1983 ready to wear fashion show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive Gloria Burgess on the runway at Hanae Mori Spring 1984 Couture runway show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: George Chinsee Model Aria on the runway at Ralph Lauren Collection Spring 1994 ready to wear fashion show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Donato Sardella Sonia Cole, Khadija Adams and Anna Fiona on the runway at Byblos Spring 1987 ready to wear fashion show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Donato Sardella Katoucha Niane and Roshumba Williams on the runway at Krizia Fall 1988 ready to wear show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Thomas Iannaccone Gail O’Neill poses in Willi Smith’s last fall 1987 ready to wear collection.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Kyle Ericksen Veronica Webb poses in a look from the Gordon Henderson Spring 1989 ready to wear advance.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Jim Lorelli (L-R) Louise Vyent, Alan Cephas, Karen Alexander, Wanakee, Beverly Johnson, Sheila Johnson, Kersti Browser, Iman, Rashid Silver, Alvin Clayton and James Vest honored at WWD’s “Soul of Seventh Avenue” on August 21, 1989.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: George Chinsee Naomi Campbell on the runway at Ralph Lauren Spring 1991 ready to wear fashion show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: David Turner Tyson Beckford for Ralph Lauren Spring 1996 Menswear collection at the Ralph Lauren store in New York.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive Stephanie Roberts on the runway at the Marc Jacobs for Perry Ellis fall 1991 ready to wear show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Davide Maestri Kimora Lee Simmons on the runway at Giorgio Armani Spring 1991 Ready to Wear fashion show in Milan, Italy.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive Tyra Banks on the runway at Yves Saint Laurent Fall 1992 Ready to Wear fashion show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: George Chinsee Models Dortensia Hayes and Lortensia Hayes on the runway at Todd Oldham Fall 1991 ready to wear show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive Beverly Peele on the runway at the Versace Fall 1992 ready to wear fashion show in Milan, Italy.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Kyle Ericksen Cynthia Bailey on the runway at Zang Toi Spring 1995 ready to wear fashion show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Robert Mitra Karen Alexander on the runway at Ralph Lauren Spring 1996 ready to wear runway show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive Lorraine Pascale on the runway at Michael Kors Spring 1996 Ready to Wear fashion show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Robert Mitra Chrystele Saint Louis Augustin on the runway in Ralph Lauren’s Spring 1997 Safari collection.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Giovanni Giannoni Georgianna Robertson on the runway at Yves Saint Laurent Fall 1998 Couture fashion show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: John Aquino Model Lana Ogilvie walks the runway in belted faux fur coat designed by Byron Lars for Fall 1994.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: David Turner Jason Olive for Ralph Lauren Polo Sport Spring 1996 collection.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: George Chinsee Kiara Kabukuru on the runway at the Calvin Klein Collection Spring 1997 Ready To Wear fashon show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: John Aquino Boris Kodjoe on the runway at the Phat Farm Spring 1998 Ready to Wear fashion show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: George Chinsee Coco Mitchell on the runway at the Ralph Rucci Spring 2000 ready to wear fashion show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Davide Maestri Alek Wek on the runway at the Lawrence Steele Spring 1998 Ready to Wear fashion show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive Oluchi Onweagba on the runway at the Betsey Johnson Fall 1999 Ready to Wear fashion show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Giovanni Giannoni Noemie Lenoir on the runway at Yves Saint Laurent’s spring 2002 restrospective haute couture show at the Pompidou Centre in Paris.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Giovanni Giannoni Chanel Iman on the runway at Christian Dior’s fall 2010 show designed by John Galliano.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Giovanni Giannoni Model Joan Smalls on the runway at Balmain’s fall 2011 show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Giovanni Giannoni L-R Ajak Deng, Ataui Deng, Jeneil Williams, Jourdan Dunn and Melodie Monrose on the runway at Lanvin’s spring 2011 fashion show in Paris.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Robert Mitra Jordan Dunn on the runway at the Michael Kors spring 2012 show at Lincoln Center’s The Theatre.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: WWD Slick Woods on the runway at the Fenty Puma by Rihanna Fall 2017 fashion show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: WWD Halima Aden on the runway at the Tommy Hilfiger spring 2019 ready to wear show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Giovanni Giannoni Lineisy Montero on the runway at the Roberto Cavalli Spring 2017 ready to wear fashion show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: WWD Mayowa Nicholas on the runway at the Miu Miu Spring 2018 Ready To Wear fashion show in Paris, France.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Davide Maestri Luka Sabbat on the runway at the United Colors of Bennetton Fall 2019 Ready To Wear fashion show in Milan, Italy.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Masato Onoda/WWD Adesuwa Aighewi on the runway at the Ozwald Boateng 2019 ready to wear fashion show at the Apollo Theater in New York City.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: WWD Duckie Thot on the runway at the Jeremy Scott Spring 2019 ready to wear fashion show in New York City.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: WWD Adut Akech on the runway at the Michael Kors Fall 2020 fashion show.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Rodin Banica/WWD Winnie Harlow and Usain Bolt walks the runway at Puma Futrograde Spring 2023 ready to wear fashion show at Cipriani 25 in New York.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Giovanni Giannoni Precious Lee on the runway at the Versace Spring 2024 Ready To Wear fashion show in Milan, Italy.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Giovanni Giannoni Imaan Hammam on the runway at the Ralph Lauren Spring 2024 Ready To Wear Fashion Show at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: George Chinsee Liya Kebede on the runway at the 3.1 Philip Lim Spring 2024 Ready To Wear Runway Show
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Giovanni Giannoni Alton Mason on the runway at Vetements Spring 2025 ready to wear fashion show in Paris, France.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores Anok Yai on the runway at Michael Kors RTW Spring 2025 ready to wear collection fashion show in New York City.
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Celebrating Over 50 Years of The Black Model Movement on the Runway
Image Credit: Giovanni Giannoni Debra Shaw on the runway at the Dries Van Noten Spring 2025 fashion show at Rue des usines Babcock in Paris, France.