HBO Documentary Films Launches Feature Project On Iconic Black Supermodel Donyale Luna, Who Broke Barriers In Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar
deadline.comEXCLUSIVE: HBO Documentary Films is embarking on a documentary about pioneering supermodel Donyale Luna, one of the first Black models to be featured on the covers of major European fashion magazines.Nailah Jefferson (Vanishing Pearls: The Oystermen of Pointe à la Hache), is directing the film, teaming with Oscar- and Emmy-winning Lightbox (HBO’s Tina and Whitney, LA 92), and Jeff Friday Media (HBO’s Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn).Luna was born Peggy Anne Freeman in Detroit in 1945 and began going by the name Donyale Luna in her late teens as she launched her modeling career.
In March 1966 she became the first model of color to grace the cover of the British edition of Vogue (wearing a Chloé dress and photographed by David Bailey).
She also appeared on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar and other leading fashion publications. Richard Avedon and William Claxton are among the greats who photographed her.
On the catwalk, she modeled for Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, and Paco Rabanne, among others.“It’s a dream to tell the story of Donyale Luna – an iconic woman whose legacy and magic deserve celebration,” Jefferson said in a statement. “Black women’s historical contributions have often been forgotten and distorted.
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