the beauty of the darkThe documentary, currently broadcast exclusively on HBO Max, shows the rise and rebirth of one of the most celebrated brands in the American beauty industry: Fashion Fair Cosmetics.
First published in 1973 by June June Johnson, Publishing CEO and CEO of Johnson Publishing Company, wife of John H. Johnson, Fashion Fair Cosmetics was the first national makeup line designed and created specifically for black women, an inclusive mission that is more recognizable these days. Market. But whose wide and rich range of tones was impossible to find at that time.
Cheryl Mayberry McKissack and Desiree Rogers, both former executives at Chicago-based Johnson Publishing (which owns Ebony and Jet magazines, along with Fashion Fair), bought the company from bankruptcy in November 2019 for $1.85 million. and now as an employee. The owners (and the president and CEO, respectively) have shelved it for the next chapter.
Sheryl Mayber McKisack and Desiree Rogers
Courtesy of Heather Houston
Now vegan and cruelty-free, the collection includes foundation, powder, primer serum and 11 previously bestselling lipstick shades, with the addition of new nude shades. It is available exclusively at Sephora and the brand’s updated website.
“I think it has the potential to appeal to loyal women and newbies who may not have tried the brand before,” said Mayber McKisack. the hollywood reporter.
Like many new initiatives, especially in the beauty industry, the Fashion Fair was born out of necessity. When Johnson couldn’t find products that exactly matched the skin of the black models participating in the Ebony Fashion Fair (the annual fashion travel event she created that also doubled as a charity), a cosmetics line was born. It offered mandarin and plum lipstick and eyeshadows for black women (who usually bought more neutral earth tones on the market) and went on to become the first international brand of black women’s cosmetics available in luxury department stores. Structure.
“He created this company to solve the problem. “General market companies that sell cosmetics don’t make eyeshadows for black women,” said Mayber McKisack.
Documentary – Directed by Tiffany Johnson (black monday, dear whites s twenty) and Keiana Moore (Content Producer and Head of Epic Digital at Vox Media), tells this story through a voice team that includes former Fashion Fair models Pat Cleveland, singer Kelly Rowland, designer Sergio Hudson and renowned makeup artist Sam Fine. .
Cosmetics from the FF collection
Courtesy of the fashion show.
“Fashion Fair Cosmetics has created some of the greatest cultural moments for people of color,” said Fain, who has worked with several notable actresses during her 30-year career (Quinn Latifah, Halle Berry, Beyoncé Knowles, Carrie Washington, Jennifer Hudson) . . And supermodels (Tyra Banks, Veronica Webb, Iman, Naomi Campbell). “With a small presence in cosmetics, Eunie Johnson has made history on her own and created a safe haven for women of color, consumers and employees. I was thrilled to be part of the documentary and talked about the historical rise, fall and relaunch of this cult brand. I became the first creative director of makeup and launching the brand’s first co-branded collection was an important place in my career; A kind of comeback.”
Filmed in 2020, the film was produced by Sephora in association with Epic Digital and Vox Media’s Vox Creative, with HBO Max eventually acquiring the streaming rights.
“One of the things you see in him is he tells the story and he builds that bridge so he can tell the story of what was, but it’s just as important to tell what is and what can be. So you have three different divisions: what happened, what happens, and then you have people projecting what that means for the future,” said Mayber McKisack.
Adds Rogers: “Nobody is going to buy anything, just for nostalgia. So how do you excite people today with a brand that has a history but is in a crowded market? We work with a black dermatologist. [Dr. Caroline Robinson] Who knows the skin and we also work with Sam Fine who really [knows color]As for being able to adjust these shades to ensure a cool, neutral tone. ”
Today, after meeting with several generations of focus groups, Rogers and Makisak have a solid understanding of what the modern consumer is looking for: perfect color combinations, natural ingredients, products that do double duty, like a hydrating lipstick with a great color.
“This is truly the first cosmetics company created to honor the glamour, beauty and fashion of a black woman,” says Rogers. “Black women are at the heart of this incredible brand and we don’t have many that have been around for over 50 years.”
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
