Marsha Hunt History

Black Beauty History: Marsha Hunt, Renaissance Woman Of The ’60s

Matt Green

By Nikki Brown · February 16, 2017

There are plenty of Black women who embodied the spirit of the ’60s, but Marsha Hunt was another level of ferocity.

A true renaissance woman, the model, activist, actress, singer and muse first made headlines when she appeared in the original London production of Hair.

Although she had just a few lines in the psychedelic musical, photographer Justin de Villeneuve made her the show’s literal posterchild after taking this promotional photo:

Justin de Villeneuve

From there, she embarked on a singing career that resulted in a stint of music festival performances and album releases. In short: she was a rockstar. And although most like to note her relationship with Mick Jagger–the father of her only child–we’re most enamored with her accomplishments in the fashion industry.

She made history as the first Black woman to cover England’s high fashion glossy, Queen, and appeared on the cover of British Vogue in 1969, a huge feat during that era. And in 2005, she recreated that same cover for her book after winning a battle with cancer.

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Marsha’s ability to thrive through decades of racial tension within the entertainment and fashion industries is what makes her an integral part of Black beauty history. She also doesn’t take a bad picture.

Seriously, case in point:

Vogue

Purple curls? Peach blush? That choker?! Now, this is a look worth copying! Shop an updated version below and check out more photos of Hunt in all her glory.