Fifty Years of Fabulous Fashion
Ebony Fashion Fair and Eunice W. Johnson Celebrate 50 Years of Fashion
Geraldine N. Ruttagah
GerreRuttagah@gmail.com
In the world of fashion there are few things that lost longer than five
minutes, so the fact that Ebony Fashion Fair has had a fifty year run is
a major accomplishment in the fashion business. Like many other
legendary institutions, Ebony Fashion Fair comes from very humble
beginnings. The very first fair was held in 1958 as a charity fundraiser
and it was the idea of Jessie C. Dent, wife of the then president of the
historically black institution, Dillard University. Dent approached John
H. Johnson to coordinate the first charity fashion show. Johnson was
both the CEO of Johnson Publishing Company and founder of Ebony
magazine. The success of that initial fundraiser was so great that Dent
decided to take the show on the road as a way to raise money for other
worthy causes. The first tour hit only ten cities but the fan fare was
huge and the feedback was so positive that it gave birth to what would
soon come to be known as Ebony Fashion Fair.
Early in the shows history back in 1963, Eunice W. Johnson wife of John
H. Johnson took over as the producer-director of Ebony Fashion Fair
show. Johnson has a world renowned reputation for her style and elegance
and she has had very hands on approach in the production of the show.
She has always been very interested in establishing the Fashion Fair as
an exciting, dynamic, and cutting edge event that is grounded in charity
yet still explored the glamour of fashion. Johnson travels to the
fashion houses of the world’s top designers and hand selects all of the
garments that are to be displayed in the annual show. The shows
inventory ranges from evening gowns, swim wear, sportswear, and couture.
Over the years she has cultivated relationships with some of the biggest
names in fashion like the legendary Yves Saint Laurent. Johnson’s goal
has always been to present the world’s most glamorous and avant-garde
fashions to African American audiences who otherwise may not have
access. Ebony Fashion Fair is very much so an extravaganza and the
garments that Johnson selects are always meant to be visually
stimulating which adds to the theatricality of the show. For the fashion
followers who cannot travel to the glitzy New York, LA, Milan, or Paris
bi-annual fashion week shows, Ebony Fashion Fair allows them the
opportunity to view those same fashions in a similar arena, in a city
close to them.
What makes the Fair even more special is that the event is always produced in
the name of charity. The show travels across the country and select
international destinations thanks largely in part to sponsorship from various
non-profit organizations in each particular city. The proceeds from the Ebony
Fashion Fair shows are donated to organizations that provide scholarships to
African American students. Over its extraordinary fifty year history, Ebony
Fashion Fair has raised some $54 million in scholarship funds for African
Americans.
In addition to raising much needed money for students, Ebony Fashion Fair has
also helped launch the careers of many notable African Americans in fashion
including Tyra Banks, Iman, Liya Kibede and Naomi Campbell. Eunice W. Johnson
has had a long and illustrious career; she has built a fashion empire and legacy
through Ebony Fashion Fair that after fifty years continues to promote the
interests of African Americans in both fashion and higher education.