Eunice W. Johnson: Beauty and Body Pioneers
Beauty and Body Work Pioneers
Eunice W. Johnson
“The Woman Who Brought Beauty to the Runway and Beyond”
If you’ve ever spotted a signature pink compact or heard someone rave about a Fashion Fair
lipstick as if it were a family heirloom, then you’ve already been touched by the legacy of
Eunice W. Johnson. She wasn’t just a beauty mogul—she was a cultural architect. One of the
first, to carve out a space for Black women in luxury beauty, high fashion, and media, she did it
with grace, vision, and an unshakable commitment to excellence
Let’s talk about the woman behind the movement.
From Selma to Substance: Her Early Life
Eunice Walker Johnson was born on April 4, 1916, in Selma, Alabama. Her father was a doctor,
and her mother was a schoolteacher—so education and ambition were part of her DNA from the
start. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Talladega College and went on to receive a
master’s in social work from Loyola University Chicago. Before she ever entered the beauty
world, she was studying people, communities, and systems—building a foundation that would
later fuel her ability to create meaningful, lasting change.
The Power Behind the Publishing Throne
In 1941, Eunice married John H. Johnson, who would go on to found Negro Digest, Ebony, and Jet—publications that revolutionized the way Black stories were told in America. But Eunice wasn’t
just supporting from the sidelines. She was in the boardroom, at the table, shaping the company's
direction and aesthetic voice. She helped name Ebony magazine and served as
Secretary-Treasurer of Johnson Publishing Company, later becoming Director of Community
Relations. But her influence extended far beyond her titles. She had a critical eye for beauty,
fashion, and editorial presentation, helping to craft Ebony'svisual language and ensuring the magazine celebrated Black excellence in all its forms.
And let’s not forget: she curated and produced the iconic fashion pages that gave readers a new
lens on glamour—a lens rooted in pride and presence.
The Ebony Fashion Fair: A Movement in Motion
In 1958, Eunice organized a charity fashion show in New Orleans to raise money for a
local hospital. But this wasn’t just a few gowns and some nice lighting. She flew to Europe,
sourced couture from the biggest names in fashion—Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent,
Givenchy—and brought it all back for a one-night-only runway experience, featuring Black
models. The event was a hit. So much so, that she turned it into a full-fledged tour. Thus,
the Ebony Fashion Fair was born.
What started as a fundraiser evolved into a legendary cultural phenomenon that traveled to over
180 cities a year, raised more than $50 million for charitable causes, and gave countless Black
designers, models, stylists, and beauty professionals a platform. This was luxury on our terms.
It was the first time many Black audiences saw models who looked like them walking the runway
in Paris-level couture. It wasn’t just fashion—it was liberation. It told Black women:
you are worthy of this. You belong in this world of beauty, glam, and elegance.
From the Runway to the Vanity: The Birth of Fashion Fair
Through her work on the Fashion Fair runway, Eunice noticed a huge issue: the models couldn’t
find makeup that matched their skin. Artists were mixing foundations or using products that left
models looking washed out, chalky, or gray under lights.
So what did she do? She created the solution.
In 1973, she launched Fashion Fair Cosmetics, the first global prestige makeup line designed
specifically for Black women. At the time, this was unheard of. Mainstream brands weren’t even
pretending to serve darker skin tones (like they commonly do now) and those that did offer a
shade or two that felt more like an afterthought than an invitation (like they still do now). Eunice made sure the formulas were rich, pigmented, and made for melanin—
no mixing, no apologizing. Fashion Fair launched in department stores across the U.S., including
Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, and Neiman Marcus. At its peak, it was in over 1,500 stores
around the world.
From the iconic pink compacts to the bold lipsticks, Fashion Fair became more than a makeup
brand—it was a rite of passage. Black women finally had a place at the beauty counter.
Not as an exception. As the focus..
Cultural Impact and Industry Disruption
Fashion Fair was a turning point in beauty culture. It created generational loyalty—
not just because the products were good, but because the brand saw Black women clearly and
honored them with intention. The shades were bold, the coverage was flawless, and the
messaging was rooted in pride. Whether it was “Chocolate Raspberry” or “Torch Red,”
Fashion Fair lipsticks were more than cosmetic—they were confidence.
This was before inclusion was a marketing trend. This was before major beauty brands expanded
their ranges to accommodate deeper tones. Fashion Fair was first. And it opened the doors for
everything that came after.
Later Years and Her Lasting Influence
Even as she gradually stepped away from the spotlight, Eunice remained involved in Johnson
Publishing and Fashion Fair for decades. Her standards never slipped. Her eye for beauty,
design, and detail stayed sharp.
She passed away on January 3, 2010, at age 93, leaving behind a beauty legacy that helped
shape the identity of Black American womanhood across generations.
Fashion Fair’s Comeback: A New Era, Same Mission
After her passing, the brand faced some challenges—declining sales, changes in the industry, and
a digital-first market that Fashion Fair wasn’t built for. But in 2019, two powerhouse Black
women—Desiree Rogers and Cheryl Mayberry McKissack—acquired the brand and brought it
back with purpose. In 2021, Fashion Fair relaunched with updated formulas, a renewed vision,
and a full rollout at Sephora. The brand is now vegan, fragrance-free, and still rooted in the
same mission: celebrating the richness and radiance of Black beauty without compromise.
It’s not just a comeback. It’s a continuation of the legacy that Eunice built—polished, timeless,
and still beautifully necessary.
Final Thoughts from Me
Eunice W. Johnson didn’t wait for permission to create change—she just did it. Her work uplifted
Black women in ways that the industry refused to. She knew that representation wasn’t a luxury—
it was a necessity. And she delivered it with elegance and authority. Whether through media,
fashion, or cosmetics, she created spaces where Black beauty was the standard, not the exception.
Her legacy lives on in every foundation bottle that actually matches, every runway that centers
Black models, and every beauty brand that learned—from her blueprint—how to show up for us.
Happy heavenly birthday, Mrs. Johnson.
We’re still inspired. We’re still creating.
And we’re still walking the path you paved—with style, purpose, and pride.
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