• Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · Fashion

Beverly Johnson Celebrates a Fashion Milestone

Setting an industry precedent supermodel Beverly Johnson made history by breaking color barriers in August 1974 to become the first African-American to grace the coveted cover of Vogue magazine. ESSENCE.com celebrates the 35th anniversary and chats with the ageless Black beauty about her industry staying power and what it takes to be a top model.
By · Updated October 29, 2020
01
Cover Girl

Setting an industry precedent, supermodel Beverly Johnson made history by breaking color barriers in August 1974 to become the first African-American to grace the coveted cover of Vogue magazine. ESSENCE.com celebrates the 35th anniversary and chats with the ageless Black beauty about her industry staying power and what it takes to be a top model.

As told to Qianna Smith

Beverly Johnson Celebrates a Fashion Milestone
Getty
02
Star in the Making

“I was very fortunate I worked at Glamour, Vogue and ESSENCE magazines before I even had an agent. I had a part time job because editorial work just does not pay as I pursued modeling to be my full-time career,” shares Johnson, who has graced more than 500 magazine covers.

Take a look inside supermodel Naomi Sims’s barrier-breaking career
»

Beverly Johnson Celebrates a Fashion Milestone
03
Unstoppable

Defying all odds, Johnson was told by her first agent that it would be impossible for her to secure a Vogue cover, so she changed agencies.

Take a look inside supermodel Naomi Sims’s barrier-breaking career
»

Beverly Johnson Celebrates a Fashion Milestone
04
Superstar in the Making

“Vogue is the fashion bible, and I believe it’s almost every model’s dream to be on the cover," says Johnson, pictured here in the 70’s modeling a Halston gown.

Take a look inside supermodel Naomi Sims’s barrier-breaking career
»

Beverly Johnson Celebrates a Fashion Milestone
Getty
05
Industry Star

“I had already been on six or seven Glamour magazine covers, but it was not until I got the Vogue cover did my career go to a different level,” says Johnson.

Take a look inside supermodel Naomi Sims’s barrier-breaking career
»

Beverly Johnson Celebrates a Fashion Milestone
06
In Vogue

Johnson describes the moment she found out she was Vogue’s August 1974 cover girl. “You don’t actually know you have a cover until it’s on the newsstands. I got a call early in the morning from Wilhelmina Cooper and she said, ‘You made it! You’re on the cover!’ and I remember being just so thrilled. I never had been so excited in my entire life except, of course, for the birth of my daughter.”

Take a look inside supermodel Naomi Sims’s barrier-breaking career
»

Beverly Johnson Celebrates a Fashion Milestone
07
Role Models

“When I came into the industry Naomi Sims was the greatest model Black or White. I remember meeting her at a Halston fashion show and she was so gracious to me. Then there was Joyce Walker, who was making a name for herself at Seventeen magazine,” says Johnson on the women who inspired her career.

Take a look inside supermodel Naomi Sims’s barrier-breaking career
»

Beverly Johnson Celebrates a Fashion Milestone
08
Made-it Moment

“The Vogue cover, all the covers (over 500) and editorials, plus being able to stay in the industry long enough for people to know who I am, not only by my face, but also by my name. I can look back and say I really did it.”

Take a look inside supermodel Naomi Sims’s barrier-breaking career
»

Beverly Johnson Celebrates a Fashion Milestone
Getty
09
Model Turned Mogul

Johnson originally wanted to be a lawyer and took night classes at Brooklyn College majoring in political science. “I didn’t really know where modeling was going to go, so I did some acting, television hosting; I’ve written books. Like Naomi Sims, I ventured into the wig industry and that’s how I got into business. In the back of my mind I knew I could be an entrepreneur.”

Take a look inside supermodel Naomi Sims’s barrier-breaking career
»

Beverly Johnson Celebrates a Fashion Milestone
10
Pro Tips

Wondering how to make it as model? “I would tell the ESSENCE.com reader or anyone the same thing I told my daughter (Anasa, left), have something to fall back on, meaning get an education. Educate yourself while you are pursuing modeling because it’s a short-lived career. I’m not the norm, and you’re going to need something after the cameras stop clicking.”

Take a look inside supermodel Naomi Sims’s barrier-breaking career
»

Beverly Johnson Celebrates a Fashion Milestone
11
Model of the Moment

“I love Chanel Iman (pictured left). I love her look, the fusion of the Asian and Black. I had a chance to meet her on the ‘Tyra Banks Show,’ and I’m a big fan,” says Johnson on who’s the hottest fresh-faced “it” girl.

Take a look inside supermodel Naomi Sims’s barrier-breaking career
»

Beverly Johnson Celebrates a Fashion Milestone
Getty
12
Trailblazers

“Without Naomi Sims there would be no me. She is responsible for my career. What she accomplished is so momentous and it makes this 35th anniversary on the cover of Vogue even more significant to me,” expresses Johnson.

Take a look inside supermodel Naomi Sims’s barrier-breaking career
»

Beverly Johnson Celebrates a Fashion Milestone
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now