Few figures in fashion history have had the cultural impact of Eunice Johnson. As the visionary behind Ebony Fashion Fair, the world’s largest traveling fashion show, and co-founder of Johnson Publishing Company (Ebony and Jet), she transformed the industry by insisting on representation, excellence, and access. At a time when luxury fashion excluded Black women, Johnson created a world where they were not only welcomed but celebrated.
This year, KAPHILL is honored to pay tribute to Eunice Johnson as part of The Prerogative Project: Black Women in Fashion—Work, Play, a prestigious exhibition at Macy’s 34th Street Herald Square, presented by Madamette. Curated by @quanasia with artwork by @ashleybuttercup, the exhibition recognizes the Black women whose work shaped fashion, retail, and economic activism—visionaries like Mildred Blount, Ophelia DeVore, Zelda Wynn Valdes, Ann Lowe, and Lois K. Alexander Lane.
A LEGACY OF SOPHISTICATION AND POWER
Long before diversity became a corporate talking point, Eunice Johnson demanded a seat at the table—and set the table herself. She introduced Black audiences to couture from houses such as Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, and Valentino, while championing Black designers like Stephen Burrows and Patrick Kelly. Her work redefined luxury—not as something exclusive, but as something Black women could own, participate in, and influence.
Johnson didn’t just bring high fashion to Black women; she changed the way the industry saw them. Through Ebony Fashion Fair, she hired Black models, worked with Black designers, and forced luxury brands to acknowledge a powerful consumer base. Her legacy is felt in every Black woman who sees herself reflected in the world of fashion today.
WHY KAPHILL HONORS HER
At KAPHILL, we share Eunice Johnson’s belief that Black women belong in luxury spaces—not as outsiders, but as tastemakers, consumers, and leaders. Her work laid the foundation for a new era of fashion—one where Black women don’t have to ask for access; they create their own.
This tribute is more than a reflection on history; it’s a celebration of the future. It’s about continuing the work—ensuring that representation in fashion isn’t just a moment, but a movement.
Visit Macy’s 34th Street Herald Square to experience this powerful exhibition and celebrate the legacy of the women who made fashion history.