The 10 Black Women Who Invented the Supermodel

The only way to start this story — any story, really, about the American Supermodel — is with the Battle of Versailles. The one in 1973. On one side were the French, of course: designers Hubert de Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent, Pierre Cardin, Emanuel Ungaro, and Marc Bohan for Christian Dior. The other, American: Stephen Burrows, Oscar de la Renta, Bill Blass, Halston, Anne Klein. Each country’s fashion royalty at the time. In theory, it was all for charity, to raise funds to restore the crumbling Versailles Palace. In reality, it was all ego.

But that’s not why we’re here. We’re here because of ten American models — specifically, the ten Black models, out of 36 Americans total — including Bethann Hardison, Alva Chinn, and Pat Cleveland, who, spinning in layers of chiffon for Halston, owned the night. Those ten women delivered attitude, something no one had been delivering in traditionally stuffy and snoozy fashion presentations. The audience — the European beau monde — stomped their feet, threw their programs in the air, and leapt out of their seats to cheer. American models weren’t just taken seriously after that night; they were suddenly sought after.

With COVID cases rising, we’re facing another socially distanced, remote autumn. At least there’ll be plenty of new music to listen to while we’re stuck at home. Fentanyl-laced coke led to eight ODs, and six deaths, over the course of three days on Long Island. This recording of a school board meeting is more harrowing than most horror movies. And nothing but ill wishes for the horrible people faking vaxx cards — they’re due for serious karmic retribution.

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