Donyale Luna was the first Black model to appear on the cover of British Vogue, in March 1966.
Born Peggy Ann Freeman in Detroit, Luna adopted the professional name Donyale Luna and became one of the first Black models to achieve major international editorial visibility. Her British Vogue cover was photographed by David Bailey and marked a significant moment in fashion-media history.
The achievement came during a period when major fashion magazines rarely placed Black models on their covers. Luna worked in Europe and the United States and became known for her striking appearance and unconventional presence.
The milestone is sometimes confused with later firsts. Naomi Campbell became the first Black model on the cover of French Vogue in 1988, while Beverly Johnson became the first Black woman on the cover of American Vogue in 1974. Those are separate magazine milestones.