Paying tribute

Thomas Campbell, the Director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, speaking at a Tribute luncheon for Eunice Johnson.

This past Monday they paid tribute to Eunice W. Johnson, fashion icon, philanthropist and a founder of Ebony magazine at a luncheon in the Temple of Dendur in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Mrs. Johnson, who died on January 3rd at age 93, was a pioneer in fashion and business as surprise guest former President Bill Clinton pointed out in his keynote speech.

She served as producer and director of the Ebony Fashion Fair from 1961 until 2009. Her creation, Ebony Fashion Fair, was the world’s largest traveling fashion show, and featured black models and designers. The shows are credited with launching the careers of many African-American models. It also changed the perceptions of minorities in fashion. She was also involved in the creation of Fashion Fair Cosmetics in 1973 as an answer to problems black models were having in finding make up that matched their darker skin tones.

Mrs. Johnson was a leader. She used fashion to achieve something for everyone. President Obama wrote in a letter read by Desiree Rogers. “As a philanthropist and entrepreneur, Eunice wrote a chapter in history.”