Inspire Me

    This Essence cover has to be one of my favorite cover shoots by Zendaya. I love the art that her and her stylist Law Roach creates. Law Roach has become one of my biggest inspirations, just seeing the work he has created and the amazing people he has worked with motivates me. I was speechless when I saw this cover and learning the history behind it amazed me. I think it’s very important to see representation of black women, especially through fashion. I never knew who Donyale Luna was until this cover. As a black girl, growing up I did not know the importance of seeing black people on a cover of a magazine and representation of black creatives. Until recently, I believed that fashion was all about wearing clothes and looking cute but it’s far beyond that. Fashion is a story, it tells history. Inclusivity and diversity in fashion has become the most important part to me in this industry. I want to be a part of that change to allow black creatives to have the opportunities to show their art and ability. Seeing this cover gave me inspiration to write this segment about the importance of black women. Donyale Luna was the first black supermodel. She was the first African-American model to appear on the cover of British Vogue in 1966.  The beautiful Donyale Luna entered a time where white models were favored more, and she began to change things; “ to enable more diverse beauty paradigms to break through.”

Zendaya as Donyale Luna.