Ebony Fashion Fair

Ebony Fashion Fair (also known as the Ebony Traveling Fashion Fair) was an annual fashion event created by Eunice Johnson, co–founder of the Chicago, Illinois–based Johnson Publishing Company. The show ran across the United States and other countries from 1958 until 2009. In addition to the fashion fair, the company also created a cosmetic line named Fashion Fair Cosmetics, in 1973. As of 2026, Fashion Fair Cosmetics are still available for purchase. History In 1956, John H. Johnson, founder of the Johnson Publishing Company, was approached by Jessie Dent (the wife of the president of Dillard University), who asked Johnson to supply models for a charity fundraiser benefiting the Flint-Goodridge Hospital located on Dillard University's New Orleans campus. Reluctant to use the models featured in the magazines published by his company, Johnson instead offered to provide the clothing. Johnson and Dent then came to an agreement: Johnson Publishing Company would supply the garments for the fundraiser, and, each ticket to enter the show would include a subscription to either Ebony or Jet Magazine—both published by Johnson's company.

The Ebony Fashion Fair was launched in 1958 by the Johnson Publishing company and repeated annually for five decades under Eunice Walker Johnson; the director and producer of the show. The Ebony Fashion Fair (also known as the Ebony Travelling Fashion Fair), traveled to 30 cities over its 51-year run providing exclusive fashion to “hundreds of thousands attendees across the United States, Canada and the Caribbean” (Bivins.11). The show was held in 187 venues with audiences as large as 5,000 attendees. The Ebony Fashion Fair not only helped to boost the Johnson Publishing Company's brand identity, it also raised $55 million in funds for African American charities. The show featured male and female models of mostly African-American descent modeling fashions from top European designers such as: Yves St Laurent, Oscar de la Renta, Pierre Cardin, Paco Rabanne, Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier, Valentino, and Emanuel Ungaro. The Fashion Fair held its last show in 2009, due to Eunice Walkers' death in January, 2010.

Fashion Show Themes, 1958-2009

Yearhttps://ebonyfashionfairalumni.com/our-story-1 Theme # of Shows # of Countries 1958 Ebony Fashion Fair Around The Clock Example Example 1959 Fashions Around The World Example Example 1960 Symphony In Fashions Example Example 1961 Ebony Fashion Fair International Example Example 1962 An Oriental Flair Example Example 1963 Ebony Fashion Fair Americana Example Example 1964 A Spanish Flair Example Example 1965 Fashions In Orbit Example Example 1966 Colorballo Example Example 1967 Fashion Rebellion Example Example 1968 Fashion Freedom Example Example 1969 The Flapper Returns with Soul Example Example 1970 The Liberated Look Example Example 1971 What's Goin' On Example Example 1972 A Way To Look Example Example 1973 The Mood Of Luxury Example Example 1974 The Big Whirl Of Fashion Example Example 1975 The Natural Feeling Example Example 1976 The Care-Free Life Example Example 1977 The Body Attitude Example Example 1978 Back To Glamour Example Example 1979 Color Explosion Example Example 1980 The Free Spirit Example Example 1981 The Look Of Elegance Example Example 1982 The Mood of Romance Example Example 1983 Fashion Extravaganza Example Example 1984 Color Fantasy Example Example 1985 Body Language Example Example 1986 Fashion Scandal Example Example 1987 Fashion Sizzle Example Example 1988 Fashion Seduction Example Example 1989 Fashion Magic Example Example 1990 Freedom Explosion Example Example 1991 Fashion With Passion Example Example 1992 Living the Fantasy Example Example 1993 The Rapture Of Fashion Example Example 1994 The Shining Hour Of Fashion Example Example 1995 The Power Of Color Example Example 1996 The Great Fashion Mix Example Example 1997 The Jazz Age Of Fashion Example Example 1998 Fashions to Love Example Example 1999 Fashions 2000 Example Example 2000 Fashion Sensation 178 3 2001 The Changing Trends Of Fashion Example Example 2002 Simply Spectacular Example Example 2003 Color Splash Example Example 2004 Living It Up Example Example 2005 Fit To be Fabulous Example Example 2006 Stylishly Hot Example Example 2007 Glam Odyssey: A Fashion Journey Into Bliss & Beyond Example Example 2008 The Runway Report What's Hip, What's Hot, What's Now! Example Example

Fashion Fair Cosmetics When Eunice Johnson noticed that the models at the Ebony Fashion Fair "were mixing foundations to create the right blend to match their hues", she initially approached existing cosmetics companies and asked them to develop make-up lines which would suit the specific needs of women of color. However, as she was met with resistance from the companies she approached, she and her husband, John H. Johnson, created the Capsule Collection, a small make-up compact in a mail-order package. Due to high-demand, the product led to the creation of a full cosmetic line named Fashion Fair Cosmetics, after the fashion show in 1973. According to Fortune, Fashion Fair Cosmetics was once the largest black-owned cosmetics company in the world. In April 2019, a United Kingdom creditor petitioned a judge to force the company to sell its Fashion Fair Cosmetics UK assets.Chicago Crusader (Johnson Publishing files for bankruptcy) April 11, 2019 In November 2019, the brand was acquired by Cheryl Mayberry McKissack and Desirée Rogers.

Legacy From March 2013 thru May 2014, the Chicago History Museum displayed an exhibition titled Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years Of Ebony Fashion Fair. The exhibition featured several ensembles featured in Fashion Fair shows during its half-century history. The exhibition traveled nationally beginning in fall 2014, with stops including the Museum of Design Atlanta and the Milwaukee Art Museum.

References

See also Fashion Fair Gallery Int Fashion Fair