To kick off Women’s History Month, I would like to highlight one of my namesakes, Ebony Fashion Fair along with Fashion Fair cosmetics created and previously owned by John H. Johnson and Eunice W. Johnson. The Johnsons were a husband and wife team who owned Johnson Publishing and started Ebony and Jet magazines for people of color. I remembering seeing the pictures for Ebony Fashion Fair in Jet Magazine growing up. And the pink containers of Fashion Fair make-up in my mom’s bathroom. Most of the information I will be sharing in this post comes from The Beauty of Blackness documentary streaming now on HBO Max as well as the articles, whose links I have included in this post. The documentary covers the past history of Fashion Fair cosmetics, its acquisition, and its relaunch.
Ebony Fashion Fair was a fashion show started in 1958 by Mrs. Johnson. The fashion show was the first to feature black models wearing clothes from designers such as Givechy, Ungaro, and Coco Chanel. Ebony Fashion Fair traveled around the country via charter bus for 3 month stretches at a time. The fashion show would visit cities and states where black people continued to face overt racism and discrimination. Yet, the models and organizers persevered and brought black elegance, grace, and fashion throughout the country. For more information on Ebony Fashion Fair, you can visit this website.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/reliving-ebony-fashion-fair-runway-one-couture-dress-time-180962987/
Mrs. Johnson observed the models having to mix and match make-up to create a shade of foundation that suited their complexions. This discovery inspired the creation of Fashion Fair cosmetics in 1973, a line of make-up that catered to women of color. The cosmetic line was carried in Bloomingdale’s thanks to Audrey Smaltz, the first commentator for Ebony Fashion Fair shows, who had a connection from previously being employed at the department store. From that point, Fashion Fair cosmetics expanded to other leading department stores.
Unfortunately, Johnson Publishing, which housed Ebony Fashion Fair and Fashion Fair cosmetics, filed bankruptcy in 2019 shutting down Fashion Fair cosmetics. Desiree Rogers and Cheryl Mayberry McKissack swooped in, purchased and revived the cosmetic line. The co-founders partnered with Sephora and relaunched Fashion Fair cosmetics in September 2021. The packaging has a new look and the products have been reformulated and are now vegan. You can find the sleek white and gold make-up tubes and palettes at Sephora, Sephora.com, and FashionFair.com. Tap this link to read what inspired Rogers and Mayberry McKissack to aquire Fashion Fair cosmetics.
https://www.instyle.com/beauty/makeup/fashion-fair-relaunch-interview
I just happened upon the documentary, The Beauty of Blackness, today and I throughly enjoyed it. Seeing the behind the scenes development of the relaunch and the history of such an iconic brand was inspiring. I am and will probably always be a plain Jane who doesn’t bother much with make-up. Yet, I still wish much success for Fashion Fair cosmetics. If this blog post, or any other previous posts, has resonates with you, please share it with someone else. Someone who you feel may benefit or enjoy this content. It would be greatly appreciated. Be well and whole. Much Love 🧡 💚