L&rsquo;OFFICIEL&rsquo;s history was shaped by Black models whose own stories have gone largely untold. Here, their legacies in fashion and beyond live on.

Before there was <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/black-fashion-influencers-to-follow-models-designers-stylists" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adut Akech</a>, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/best-drag-queen-fashion-of-all-time-rupauls-drag-race" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Naomi Smalls</a>, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/naomi-campbell-most-iconic-90s-catwalk-moments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Naomi Campbell</a>, or even <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/grace-jones-movies-conan-boomerang" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Grace Jones</a>, several models of color laid the important groundwork, breaking through longstanding racial barriers. Towards the end of the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/anna-sui-fall-winter-2021-nyfw-jane-birkin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1960s</a>, cultural tides were turning, and more diverse faces began taking their rightful places in popular media. Although iconic performer Josephine Baker was recognized for her popularity in France throughout many early issues of L&rsquo;OFFICIEL, it was not until 1969, when Sandi Collins began her work with the magazine, that Black models became a consistent fixture in editorials. Yet despite her watershed work with the magazine, Collins's name&mdash;and those of other pioneering models of color&mdash;has been left out of much of fashion&rsquo;s history.&nbsp;

Sandi Collins in Chombert and André Sauzaie (R), photographed by Roland Bianchini for L’OFFICIEL in 1969.

In June 1970, Collins would make history as the first non-white cover model for L&rsquo;OFFICIEL. Dressed in swimwear by <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/courreges-nicolas-di-felice-debut" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Courr&egrave;ges</a>, Collins was photographed by Roland Bianchini, a frequent L&rsquo;OFFICIEL contributor, alongside an uncredited white model. Collins&rsquo; cover would come off the heels of an American outcry over Black model Donyale Luna&rsquo;s 1966 Harper&rsquo;s Bazaar feature photographed by David Bailey, which resulted in Southern advertisers pulling their placements, and an ultimate ban on Luna ever appearing in the magazine again. This permanent ban on the model, which was enacted in reaction to racist disapproval by Bazaar owner William Randolph Hearst, was never lifted, lasting until her untimely death in 1979. While Hearst&rsquo;s action specifically targeted Luna&rsquo;s career, the act was exemplary of the obstacles preventing diverse talent from covering magazines or walking runways stateside. While it suddenly became possible to become a Black fashion model, racism still stood firmly in the way of true success.
<text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2299957275391" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.021026611328" x="307.480010986328" y="-150.499969482422" data-test="textbox">Collins still took great strides in becoming one of the first Black</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2299957275391" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.252014160156" x="307.309997558594" y="-138.499969482422" data-test="textbox"> couture models, and the first consistent non-white model</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2300033569336" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="40.9020080566406" x="307.359985351562" y="-126.499961853027" data-test="textbox"> in <text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2300033569336" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="40.9020080566406" x="307.359985351562" y="-126.499961853027" data-test="textbox">L'OFFICIEL's</text></text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2300033569336" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="156.365966796875" x="398.190002441406" y="-126.499961853027" data-test="textbox"> editorial spreads. <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/paco-rabanne-futuristic-unwearable-fashion-chainmail" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Paco Rabanne</a> </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2299957275391" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.68994140625" x="306.869995117188" y="-114.499969482422" data-test="textbox">would select Collins as a frequent collaborator, forever tying </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2300033569336" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.281982421875" x="307.260009765625" y="-102.499954223633" data-test="textbox">her to the booming <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/london-fashion-1960s-mod-style-twiggy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mod fashion trends</a> of the late &lsquo;60s and </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.4599990844727" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.178955078125" x="307.369995117188" y="-90.4999389648438" data-test="textbox">early <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/70s-fashion-designers-emilio-pucci-diane-von-furstenberg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&lsquo;70s</a>. Thanks to her talents in bringing these fresh </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2300033569336" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.192993164062" x="307.369995117188" y="-78.4999389648438" data-test="textbox">designs to life, Collins became synonymous with the fashion </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2300033569336" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.222930908203" x="307.350006103516" y="-66.4999389648438" data-test="textbox">of the time and an inarguable staple on the runway and in editorial photography.</text>

Sandi Collins in Ungaro photographed by Roland Bianchini for L’OFFICIEL in 1969.

Sandi Collins in Courrèges and unknown model in Pierre Cardin photographed by Roland Bianchini for L’OFFICIELin 1970.

<text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.066997528076" x="50.4799995422363" y="-734.5" data-test="textbox">Collins&rsquo; role as a groundbreaking model of color is uncontested, </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.497882843018" x="50.0200004577637" y="-722.5" data-test="textbox">but, at the same time, is vastly unreported. While Luna, her contemporary</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.188991546631" x="50.3699989318848" y="-710.5" data-test="textbox">, would be remembered as one of the first Black </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.191982269287" x="50.3699989318848" y="-698.5" data-test="textbox">couture models, it was not common practice during this era </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.328960418701" x="50.2299995422363" y="-686.5" data-test="textbox">to credit models within the pages of the magazine, leaving </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.273937225342" x="50.2599983215332" y="-674.5" data-test="textbox">her work mostly unattributed. Collins would later become </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.124931335449" x="50.4300003051758" y="-662.5" data-test="textbox">a familiar face for lovers of vintage fashion magazines, and has</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.308971405029" x="50.2599983215332" y="-650.5" data-test="textbox"> even been incorrectly identified over the years as <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/diana-ross-style-the-supremes-songs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Diana Ross</a></text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.017017364502" x="50.5200004577637" y="-638.5" data-test="textbox">&mdash;which she admitted was flattering but, still, she&rsquo;d </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="237.880935668945" x="50.1399993896484" y="-626.5" data-test="textbox">prefer to receive the proper acknowledgment for her work.</text>

<text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.072948455811" x="50.4799995422363" y="-602.5" data-test="textbox">Collins found success in working for Paris-based magazines </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="17.4249992370605" x="50.1199989318848" y="-590.5" data-test="textbox">like <text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="13.8499755859375" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="52.6110000610352" x="68.9000015258789" y="-590.5" data-test="textbox">L&rsquo;OFFICIEL</text></text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="175.112976074219" x="122.440002441406" y="-590.5" data-test="textbox">, and with various French couturiers; she largely</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.372982025146" x="50.1199989318848" y="-578.5" data-test="textbox"> relocated to Paris in 1966 due to ongoing racism in America</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.4199829101562" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.549987792969" x="50" y="-566.5" data-test="textbox">. Still, following her transatlantic move, it would take</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.279949188232" x="50.2299995422363" y="-554.5" data-test="textbox"> four years of concentrated effort and uphill battles as&nbsp;</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.130973815918" x="50.4300003051758" y="-542.5" data-test="textbox">an original Black couture model before she would land her <text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="13.8499755859375" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="52.6110000610352" x="50" y="-530.5" data-test="textbox">L&rsquo;OFFICIEL</text></text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="13.8499755859375" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="52.6110000610352" x="50" y="-530.5" data-test="textbox">&nbsp;</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.4199829101562" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="194.915985107422" x="102.619995117188" y="-530.5" data-test="textbox">cover. And Collins would not be the only Black model</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.151962280273" x="50.3600006103516" y="-518.5" data-test="textbox"> during the &lsquo;60s and &lsquo;70s who would choose to leave America</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.4199829101562" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.553955078125" x="50" y="-506.5" data-test="textbox"> behind and pursue a somewhat more welcoming industry</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2300109863281" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.312938690186" x="50.2599983215332" y="-494.499969482422" data-test="textbox"> abroad. <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/pat-cleveland-young-photos-model-anna-cleveland" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pat Cleveland</a>, one of the best-known Black</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2300109863281" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.235988616943" x="50.310001373291" y="-482.499938964844" data-test="textbox"> models of the era, also chose to leave the United States for</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.4200134277344" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.288024902344" x="50.25" y="-470.499938964844" data-test="textbox"> Paris in 1971 due to American magazines&rsquo; refusal to put</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.4200134277344" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.37190246582" x="50.1399993896484" y="-458.499938964844" data-test="textbox"> Black models on their covers. Across the Atlantic, she&nbsp;</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="42.0260009765625" x="672.119995117188" y="-734.5" data-test="textbox">landed on <text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="13.8499755859375" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="52.6110229492188" x="713.745971679688" y="-734.5" data-test="textbox">L&rsquo;OFFICIEL</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="153.164978027344" x="766.359985351562" y="-734.5" data-test="textbox">&rsquo;s</text></text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="153.164978027344" x="766.359985351562" y="-734.5" data-test="textbox"> September 1971 cover, enveloped in&nbsp;</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.112976074219" x="672.429992675781" y="-722.5" data-test="textbox">a <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/christian-dior-iconic-styles-bags-shoes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Christian Dior</a> fur coat, making her the second Black cover </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.197998046875" x="672.359985351562" y="-710.5" data-test="textbox">model following Collins, and the first Black model to receive a</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.124938964844" x="672.429992675781" y="-698.5" data-test="textbox"> solo cover from the magazine. Cleveland, who was part of Andy</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.4199829101562" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.56201171875" x="672" y="-686.5" data-test="textbox"> Warhol&rsquo;s crowd and spent her time in Paris with other creatives</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.4199829101562" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.138916015625" x="672.369995117188" y="-674.5" data-test="textbox">&nbsp;and models like <text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.4199829101562" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.138916015625" x="672.369995117188" y="-674.5" data-test="textbox">Antonio Lopez and Donna Jordan, </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="111.3349609375" x="672.239990234375" y="-662.5" data-test="textbox">ruled the runways of Paris.</text></text>

Mounia in Yves Saint Laurent photographed by Roland Bianchini for L’OFFICIEL in 1980

<text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2300109863281" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.477966308594" x="672.080017089844" y="-462.5" data-test="textbox">More Black models would soon follow suit. In the late </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.4200134277344" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="246.815002441406" x="672.719970703125" y="-450.5" data-test="textbox">1970s and &lsquo;80s, the Martiniquan model <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/who-is-mounia-model-yves-saint-laurent-haute-couture" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Monique-Antoine Orosemane</a></text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2300109863281" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.049926757812" x="672.47998046875" y="-438.499969482422" data-test="textbox">, known simply as Mounia, began her work as a </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2300109863281" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.303955078125" x="672.22998046875" y="-426.499969482422" data-test="textbox">top <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/avant-garde-haute-couture-dior-chanel-fendi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Haute Couture</a> model and the first Black muse to <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/best-fashion-comebacks-balenciaga-couture-hood-by-air-ysl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yves Saint Laurent</a></text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.4599914550781" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="246.910949707031" x="672.650024414062" y="-414.499969482422" data-test="textbox">. Throughout her career, she helped create </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2300109863281" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.108032226562" x="672.409973144531" y="-402.499938964844" data-test="textbox">some of the designer&rsquo;s most memorable moments, receiving a</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2300109863281" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.148010253906" x="672.429992675781" y="-390.499938964844" data-test="textbox"> standing ovation as she sauntered down the runway of his</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2300109863281" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.270935058594" x="672.260009765625" y="-378.499938964844" data-test="textbox"> show-stopping 1978 &ldquo;Broadway Suit&rdquo; collection. In the pages</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2300109863281" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="109.056945800781" x="672.140014648438" y="-366.499938964844" data-test="textbox"> of a 1980 spread in <text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="13.8500061035156" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="52.6110229492188" x="782.206970214844" y="-366.499938964844" data-test="textbox">L&rsquo;OFFICIEL</text></text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2300109863281" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="83.81298828125" x="835.730041503906" y="-366.499938964844" data-test="textbox">, also photographed by</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2300109863281" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.538940429688" x="672.02001953125" y="-354.499938964844" data-test="textbox"> Bianchini, Mounia selected her favorite pieces from Saint&nbsp;</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2300109863281" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.156982421875" x="672.390014648438" y="-342.499908447266" data-test="textbox">Laurent&rsquo;s latest collection. Posing for the magazine in a </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2300109863281" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.172973632812" x="672.369995117188" y="-330.499908447266" data-test="textbox">classic spencer jacket while holding a cigar, she exuded the seductive</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2300109863281" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="119.132995605469" x="672.409973144531" y="-318.499908447266" data-test="textbox"> glamour of the era.&nbsp;</text>

<text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.4200134277344" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.578125" x="672" y="-294.499877929688" data-test="textbox">Amalia Vairelli was another disciple of the Saint Laurent </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2300109863281" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="93.5759887695312" x="672.369995117188" y="-282.499877929688" data-test="textbox">crew who modeled for <text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="13.8500061035156" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="52.6110229492188" x="782.206970214844" y="-366.499938964844" data-test="textbox">L&rsquo;OFFICIEL </text></text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2300109863281" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="99.197998046875" x="820.339965820312" y="-282.499877929688" data-test="textbox">throughout her prolific career.&nbsp;</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.174194335938" x="929.369995117188" y="-734.5" data-test="textbox">Originally from Somalia, Vairelli was discovered on the</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.26904296875" x="929.22998046875" y="-722.5" data-test="textbox"> dance floor of a Paris disco at the age of 21 before she went on</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.157104492188" x="929.349975585938" y="-710.5" data-test="textbox"> to strut down the runways for many of Saint Laurent&rsquo;s&nbsp;</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.212158203125" x="929.369995117188" y="-698.5" data-test="textbox">collections in the 1980s. She credits the designer with helping her</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.31103515625" x="929.260009765625" y="-686.5" data-test="textbox"> understand how to put different materials together, a useful</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.386108398438" x="929.150024414062" y="-674.5" data-test="textbox"> skill when starting her most recent creative endeavor in</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.256103515625" x="929.260009765625" y="-662.5" data-test="textbox"> the world of jewelry. Vairelli continues to model, recently appearing</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.140075683594" x="929.429992675781" y="-650.5" data-test="textbox"> alongside her son in a campaign for French designer Martine</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.486999511719" x="929.080017089844" y="-638.5" data-test="textbox"> Serre. With her striking features and an enduring,&nbsp;</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="189.786987304688" x="929.369995117188" y="-626.5" data-test="textbox">effortless aesthetic, she recently appeared on <text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="13.8499755859375" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="52.6099853515625" x="1121.24694824219" y="-626.5" data-test="textbox">L&rsquo;OFFICIEL Italia</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="13.8499755859375" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="52.6099853515625" x="1121.24694824219" y="-626.5" data-test="textbox">'s</text></text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="105.646911621094" x="929.200012207031" y="-614.5" data-test="textbox"> <text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="105.646911621094" x="929.200012207031" y="-614.5" data-test="textbox">2021 cover. </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.4199829101562" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.514892578125" x="929" y="-590.5" data-test="textbox">A significant amount of work remains to be done by the </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.31494140625" x="929.25" y="-578.5" data-test="textbox">fashion industry to combat systemic racism and engage the</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.340087890625" x="929.22998046875" y="-566.5" data-test="textbox"> work of Black models and creators in a way that both celebrates</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.4600219726562" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.154052734375" x="929.369995117188" y="-554.5" data-test="textbox"> and supports the Black community. These early figures</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.309936523438" x="929.25" y="-542.5" data-test="textbox"> left an indelible mark on fashion: In forcing the issue</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.262939453125" x="929.260009765625" y="-530.5" data-test="textbox"> of representation in magazines and on the catwalks,&nbsp;</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.278930664062" x="929.22998046875" y="-518.5" data-test="textbox">their work challenged the status quo and began a movement toward</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="221.223999023438" x="929.22998046875" y="-506.5" data-test="textbox"> inclusivity in the fashion industry and beyond.</text></text>

<text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.4199981689453" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.5888671875" x="929" y="-146.5" data-test="textbox">As contemporary Black models continue to push boundaries and</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2299957275391" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.131896972656" x="929.429992675781" y="-134.499938964844" data-test="textbox"> enforce change, it is more important than ever to&nbsp;</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2299957275391" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.204833984375" x="929.369995117188" y="-122.499938964844" data-test="textbox">consecrate the stories of the people who laid the foundation. </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2300033569336" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.785827636719" x="928.840026855469" y="-110.499938964844" data-test="textbox">While Cleveland, Vairelli, and even supermodel and frequent <text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="13.8499984741211" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="52.6110229492188" x="929" y="-98.4999389648438" data-test="textbox">L&rsquo;OFFICIEL</text></text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="13.8499984741211" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="52.6110229492188" x="929" y="-98.4999389648438" data-test="textbox">&nbsp;</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2300033569336" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="194.999877929688" x="981.619995117188" y="-98.4999389648438" data-test="textbox">star Iman would continue modeling well beyond the</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2300033569336" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.406860351562" x="929.22998046875" y="-86.5" data-test="textbox"> 1970s and &lsquo;80s, Collins would quickly step back from&nbsp;</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2300033569336" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.281799316406" x="929.309997558594" y="-74.5" data-test="textbox">Parisian couture, minimizing public knowledge of her impact. </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2299995422363" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.123901367188" x="929.47998046875" y="-62.5000038146973" data-test="textbox">Collins, now 80 and long retired from modeling, replies with </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2300033569336" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.141784667969" x="929.429992675781" y="-50.5000610351562" data-test="textbox">a single statement when asked to reflect on her historical editorial</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2299995422363" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="129.143920898438" x="929.369995117188" y="-38.5001220703125" data-test="textbox">&nbsp;work&mdash;&ldquo;Working with <text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="13.8499984741211" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="52.6110229492188" x="929" y="-98.4999389648438" data-test="textbox">L&rsquo;OFFICIEL </text></text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" direction="ltr" height="14.2299995422363" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="64.7239990234375" x="1111.90002441406" y="-38.5001220703125" data-test="textbox">Paris and your photographer brings one word to mind righteous."</text>

Remembering the Legacy of Pioneering Black Model Sandi Collins

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