Black people are breaking barriers all over the beauty and fashion industries, and it's so lovely to see.
Each new "first" moment that happens also shows how far society still has to go before true inclusivity is a beautiful norm.
Check out 28 Black firsts in beauty and fashion that paved the way for diversity, and get ready to catch some cool surprises. Enjoy all this melanin magic!
Tyra Banks was the first Black model to cover Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 1997.
In 2015, Beyoncé became the first Black singer to cover Vogue's coveted September issue.
In 2015, Rihanna became the first Black spokesperson for Dior — and she also collaborated with the brand to design Star Trek-inspired sunglasses.
Signed to an agency in 2008, Shaun Ross became the first professional Black model with albinism.
In 2018, Jackie Aina became the first Black YouTuber (and first YouTuber ever) to win an NAACP Image Award.
She was named YouTuber of the year — an incredible honor.
In 2015, Raye Boyce (better known as It's My Raye Raye) became the first Black YouTuber to reach 1 million followers.
In 1994, RuPaul was the first Black spokesperson for MAC Cosmetics' Viva Glam campaign — which was a created for HIV/AIDS awareness.
In 2011, lifestyle and natural hair blogger Patrice Yursik (aka Afrobella) was the first Black influencer to collaborate with MAC on a product — a shimmery purple lip glass.
Fellow Black influencer Lianne Farbes also made an eye shadow with the brand, according to Allure.
In 1974, Beverly Johnson was the first Black person to cover American Vogue.
In 1905, Madam CJ Walker became the first Black American woman to be a self-made millionaire.
She did it with her namesake cosmetics line, which is still in business today.
In 1992, Veronica Webb was the first Black model to EVER land a major beauty contract.
In 2014, Lupita Nyong'o was named the first Black spokesperson for Lancôme.
Bernadine Anderson was the first Black female celebrity makeup artist.
She did makeup for the TV series "Roots" and for films like "Coming To America." Her original makeup case is on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Learn more about Anderson here.
Naomi Campbell REPEATEDLY made history — In 1988, she was the first Black model to cover French Vogue, and in 1989, she was the first Black model on the cover of US Vogue's legendary September issue.
In 1946, Ophelia Devore Mitchell founded the first ever Black modeling agency.
Called the Grace Del Marco Modeling Agency, the company jumpstarted the careers of legends like Cicely Tyson and Diahann Carroll. The clients there learned everything from ballet to etiquette to makeup application.
In 2017, Pat McGrath became the first Black makeup artist to win a Founders award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).
In 1977, Stephen Burrows was the first Black designer to win the Coty Award for best women's wear designer.
In 1948, Zelda Wynn Valdes became the first Black designer to open up a fashion store on Broadway street in New York.
She also designed the original Playboy Bunny costume — and made costumes for celebrities like Dorothy Dandridge, Josephine Baker, and Mae West.
In 1983, Vanessa Williams was the first Black woman to win the Miss America title.
Months later, she resigned from her title after nude images of were published in Penthouse magazine without her consent.
32 years later, in 2015, the Miss America organization apologized to her during a show airing.
In 2016, Maria Borges was the first Black model to wear her natural hair on the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show runway.
Her embrace of her natural texture inspired more models to walk the VS runway with their curls out the following year.
In the 1970s, Jay Jaxon became the first Black couturier after he took over the house of Jean-Louis Scherrer.
In 2012, Myleik Teele created the first subscription service made for textured hair with CurlBox.
In 1966, Donyale Luna was the first Black model to cover British Vogue, and was widely regarded as the first Black supermodel.
In 1992, Lana Ogilvie became the first Black CoverGirl.
In 2010, Jordan Tesfay became the first Black plus-sized CoverGirl.
In 2015, she was brought on to model for the Cover Girl Queen Collection, headed by actress Queen Latifah.
In 2001, Tomiko Fraser Hines was the first Black model to sign an exclusive contract with Maybelline.
In 1968, the first Black Barbie was introduced. Her name is Christie.
In 1944, Gordon Parks became the first Black staff photographer for Vogue. In 1948, he became the first Black photographer for and Life magazine.
