Naomi Sims, "First Black Supermodel," Dead at 61 August 3, 2009 5:58 pm >> The title of "first black supermodel" has been handed out to Beverly Johnson, the first African American woman to score the cover of Vogue, or Donyale Luna, who Vogue named model of the year in 1966, but Naomi Sims, who died of cancer Saturday, at 61, held her own right to the title.
Halston referred to her as "the first [black supermodel]" in 1974: "She was the great ambassador for all black people.
Tory Burch
Lowie