Black History Month: About Donyale Luna - World's First Black Cover Girl!

Donyale Luna is world's first black cover girl and she overcame deep prejudice in her career. In the 1950s and 1960s the fashion industry entirely excluded non-white models from its magazines, advertising and catwalk shows. But it was Donyale who became the first African American model to appear on the cover of British Vogue in 1966.

 Donyale Luna (born as Peggy) was discovered by photographer David McCabe in 1964 on the street while dressed as a typical Catholic schoolgirl in her kilt school uniform. He recalled that 'she was so tall and so slender, and had the most incredible bone structure.' After that she moved from Detroit to New York City to pursue a modeling career. In January 1965, a sketch of Luna appeared on the cover of Harper's Bazaar.

She was often described as "The completely New Image of the Negro Women" which she apparantly struggeled with.

Donyale Luna's mother was of African-American and European heritage, while her father was of African-American and South American Indian (Quechuan) ancestry. She didn't fit the aesthetic stereotype for what many thought of as black beauty. Her look was otherworldly, plain and simple and unfortunatly she struggled with her racial identity.

At a young age, Luna lied about her background numerous of times. During her career the civil-rights movement was raging back in America. The timing was built on the gains and the blood of the movement, but she remained determinedly disengaged by saying things as "The civil-rights movement has my greatest support, but I don't want to get involved racially". 
 
In a 1968 interview, when asked if she hoped that her acting and modelling success might open more doors for African-American women, she replied, "If it brings about more jobs for Mexicans, Chinese, Indians, Negroes - groovy. It could be good, it could be bad. I couldn't care less."

Comments like these enhanced her reputation as a racial outlaw and being accused of not supporting her racial background.

Drugs played a huge roll in Donyale's life! At the age of 32 the drug-taking finally caught up with her and she died in Rome in the early hours of 17 May 1979 of an accidental heroin overdose. She left behind an 18-month-old daughter, Dream.

What a tragic story....