MILES OF STYLE

An African American fashion pioneer turned her love of style into a way to help others.

Born in 1916, Eunice Johnson (nee Walker), the daughter of a doctor and a school administrator, grew up in an elegant home that reflected her art teacher mother’s sense of style. She loved fashion and sewing, but her parents wanted her to attend college. As a student at Loyola University in Chicago, she met a young businessman named John H. Johnson. Once married, they founded a magazine about Black Americans in order to counter negative media depictions of their people. First published in 1945, Ebony quickly became popular. When Eunice was asked to help raise funds for a local hospital by hosting a fashion show, she was able to employ models like those in the magazine. Soon the Ebony Fashion Fair grew, showcasing the work of Black designers, gaining the involvement of top fashion houses, raising millions of dollars for Black charities and scholarships, and promoting the beauty and elegance of African American communities. Brathwaite’s account of Eunice Johnson’s impact on Black culture is charming and straightforward, and her determination to help her community is palpable throughout. Gaines’ digital illustrations are bright and colorful enhancements for the text.

A compelling tale of an intriguing subject who left an indelible mark on fashion and culture.