Inspired by Ebony Fashion Fair: Past, Present, and Future

Photo Credit: Tobie Loomis
Video Clip Below!

I am a part of a journalism program called Global Girl Media, and on November 21st I received the unique opportunity to interview Linda Johnson Rice. Rice is a media mogul and the Chairman of Johnson Publishing Company. I was very excited for the opportunity to meet her, because her life is a dream to me.

From the age of six Rice would accompany her mother Eunice Johnson to different couture fashion shows throughout Europe. She served as a second opinion for her mom, and since she typically did not have a seat in the audience, she would watch the show from backstage, and sometimes assist the models. As a child Rice also had the opportunity to spend time at the Johnson Publishing offices . It was actually fun for her to get an early start on learning the family business; she never felt any pressure from her parents to follow in their footsteps. She had the advantage of a career waiting for her when she finished school, and the opportunity to meet many celebrities that passed through the offices of Johnson Publishing Company. 

When her mother, Eunice Johnson went to these different couture fashion shows her mission was to find spectacular ensembles to feature in her charity fashion show known as, Ebony’s Fashion Fair. This was not an easy mission because Johnson was challenged to go to the biggest fashion houses in the world (located in Europe) where no one knew of herself or Ebony Magazine. She had to get them to learn and understand the African American Market, the mission of her magazine, and her fashion show. This way they would allow her to buy their clothes, which should have been just one written check away. There is currently an exhibit at the Chicago History Museum entitled Inspired Beauty: 50 Years of Fashion Fair. This exhibit was created to remember the fashion show that impacted the lives of many African American people by exposing them to couture fashion they probably could not have seen anywhere in the U.S. 

My whole night consisted of learning about the history of Johnson Publishing Company and Ebony Fashion Fair. After Rice was done with her onstage interview with Laura Washington, she took some questions from the audience. It was then that I learned not only did Fashion Fair impact the show’s audience but the models too. Two models from the historical Fashion Fair Shows were in the audience that night. They shared how walking in Fashion Fair helped them gain long lasting careers in high fashion modeling. Also working with Johnson Publishing Company they learned a lot about their presentation. Whenever Mr. Johnson entered the room they stood up a little straighter and walked a little stronger.

I was most inspired that night when I asked Rice, “What is your mission or goal for African-American women and girls that want to be successful in the fashion or media industry?” and she replied, “Education is key. You also have to hone your craft, make things to the possible highest standard, and believe in yourself.” She gave the example that her mother had a degree in tailoring, so when young designers would show her mother their clothes she would turn them inside out and check the stitching from every angle. If it was not perfect  she would send them back to fix it. I love that the advice she gave in her answer could go for a job in any field. If you are truly passionate about something you will put your, heart, mind, body, and soul into it just to make it happen. That is what being successful is all about.

I really wish I received the opportunity to experience one of the Ebony Fashion Fair shows. It was more than just looking at the clothes like a typical fashion show. The commentator made the show by setting the different moods, sewing the whole show together. The show also featured some of the most beautiful African-American women in the world. I would have loved to see all of that beauty in one room: from the clothes, models, and audience. According to Desiree Rogers, CEO of Johnson Publishing Company, there is still hope that myself and many others who never saw one of the shows will get our chance. Rodgers has said that she is bringing back the show, although Rice has not yet made any official public statements agreeing to this. Even if the show does not come back it will still live on forever along with the legacy of Eunice and John H. Johnson through: Linda Johnson Rice, the memories of people who experienced the shows, and the various memorabilia.

The exhibition Inspired Beauty: 50 years of Ebony Fashion Fair featuring 67 designer garments from shows of years past will continue its 10 month showing until January 4, 2014, so be sure not to miss it!

Also checkout the organization that made this interview possible for me and stay tuned for the full interview on their site, http://www.GlobalGirlMedia.org