The Unforgettable Legacy of Fashion Fair Cosmetics: A Story of Beauty, Empowerment, and Rebirth
Before Fenty Beauty, before Mented Cosmetics, there was Fashion Fair. For generations of Black women, the name evokes a feeling of nostalgia, a memory of a time when finding the right foundation wasn’t just a matter of shopping—it was a revolution. Fashion Fair Cosmetics wasn’t just a makeup brand; it was a testament to the power of Black beauty and a trailblazer that reshaped the entire beauty industry.
A Problem, a Vision, and a Pioneer
The story of Fashion Fair begins not in a lab, but on a runway. In 1973, Eunice Johnson, the co-founder of the iconic Ebony and Jet magazines, was also the director of the legendary Ebony Fashion Fair traveling show. She noticed a persistent problem: her beautiful Black models were struggling to find makeup that truly matched their diverse skin tones. The shades available from mainstream brands were a one-size-fits-all approach that completely ignored the rich undertones and hues of melanated skin.
Initially, Johnson approached established cosmetics companies, urging them to create a line for Black women. They refused. Unwilling to accept no for an answer, she and her husband, John H. Johnson, decided to take matters into their own hands. They launched a small “Capsule Collection” of products via mail order, and the demand was so overwhelming that it led to the creation of a full cosmetics line. They named it after the very fashion show that inspired it: Fashion Fair.
Fashion Fair was the first international prestige cosmetics brand for darker skin tones. It broke racial barriers by securing coveted shelf space in high-end department stores like Neiman Marcus and Macy’s, places where Black women had long been overlooked. This wasn’t just a business move; it was a cultural statement, a bold affirmation that Black beauty was worthy of luxury, glamour, and elegance. The brand’s signature pink marbled compacts became a staple on vanities across the country, a symbol of pride and a solution to a long-standing need.
The Golden Era and a Period of Decline
For decades, Fashion Fair dominated the market, becoming the largest Black-owned cosmetics company in the world. It was a brand for the mothers, grandmothers, and aunts who finally had access to shades of lipstick, eyeshadow, and foundation that complemented their complexions, rather than clashing with them. It was a source of pride, a legacy brand built on the foundation of Black entrepreneurship.
However, over the years, the beauty industry began to shift. The rise of new competition and a failure to modernize its business model led to a period of decline. When the brand filed for bankruptcy in 2018, it felt like a collective loss for a generation who had grown up with it.
A Resurgence for a New Generation
The story of Fashion Fair didn’t end there. In 2019, two visionaries—Desirée Rogers and Cheryl Mayberry McKissack—acquired the bankrupt brand. As former executives at Johnson Publishing Company, they understood the brand’s profound cultural significance. Their mission was not to simply resurrect a brand, but to honor its legacy while reinventing it for the modern era.
This rebirth was not just a simple relaunch. It was a complete overhaul, a commitment to clean, vegan, and cruelty-free formulas. The new owners teamed up with renowned dermatologist Dr. Caroline Robinson and celebrity makeup artist Sam Fine to create products that are not only beautiful but also infused with natural, skin-loving ingredients. The new Fashion Fair products were developed with and tested on melanated skin, a practice that, while common now, was unheard of in the brand’s original heyday.
The brand’s relaunch with Sephora was a landmark moment, connecting a historic legacy with the leading beauty retailer of today. The new Fashion Fair pays homage to its iconic past by reviving beloved shades, while simultaneously introducing a full range of new products that meet the high standards of today’s savvy beauty consumer. They are leveraging digital marketing and social media—including platforms like TikTok—to reach a new, younger demographic that may not be familiar with the brand’s history, but who are deeply invested in inclusive and authentic beauty.
More Than Just Makeup
Today, Fashion Fair is more than a comeback story. It is a symbol of resilience and a testament to the enduring power of Black entrepreneurship. Its journey from a solution for fashion models to a global beauty icon, and now to a revitalized brand, reflects the evolution of the Black beauty landscape itself.
In an industry that is still catching up, Fashion Fair stands as a constant reminder that celebrating Black beauty is not a trend—it’s a foundation upon which a powerful and enduring legacy was built. The brand continues to inspire, proving that a mission born out of necessity can become a timeless celebration of identity, self-love, and beauty in its truest form.
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