The Ebony Fashion Fair will forever be legendary. Founded in 1958 by Eunice W. Johnson, co-founder of Ebony and Jet magazines, this wasn't just a fashion show—it was a movement. Featuring predominantly Black models at a time when the fashion industry rarely made space for them, the traveling runway brought haute couture from
@ysl,
@Dior,
@Givenchy, and more to audiences across America. One of the supermodels who was there is the legendary
@PatCleveland, who recalls, "We were obliged to bring this beauty to people who may never have seen these things. The choreography, the music and the audience—the energy in the room was so sparkling and vibrant." In the newest installment of Bazaar's
#YouHadToBeThere series, Cleveland takes us inside the Ebony Fashion Fair and its enduring impact.