Beverly Johnson, Keri Hilson On Fashion Diversity

Posted Sep 14th 2009 at 5:15PM by Katie Hintz-Zambrano (Subscribe to Katie Hintz-Zambrano's posts)

Filed under: CELEBRITY STYLE, Fashion, Celebrity, Runway Report

The iconic Beverly Johnson takes in Tracy Reese's show. Photo: Bryan Bedder, Getty Images for IMG

This afternoon at Tracy Reese, the celebrity presence was thick, with Kim Kardashian, Ciara, Keri Hilson, Kelly Rowland and Gabby Union all coming out to support.

After the show we caught up with another front-row dweller, Beverly Johnson, the first black model to appear on the cover of Vogue in 1974, and asked her what she's been up to.

"This year was the 35th anniversary of my Vogue cover, so we celebrated all year round," she told us.

"And I have the largest wig and hair extension company in the world, so that's keeping me busy. And I have a line of hair care products coming out in a major distribution store in March. And I'm a judge on a show called She's Got The Look, which is about choosing the next supermodel over the age of 35."

Busy, busy!

And what does the barrier-breaking model think of the current state of equality on the runway?

"We take two steps forward and then we take two steps backwards," she said.

"Right now we're in a period where there are a lot of black models on the runway. But there was a while where there weren't any, so I would call that two steps back."

Keri Hilson, also holding court in the front row, was another supporter of diversity among designers.

"I'm a huge fan of Tracy Reese because she's a woman of color and there are so few women of color doing this at a high fashion level, she said. "I have to support that."

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Celebrity Sightings: Spring 2010 Fashion Week

The stars were out for Fashion Week Spring 2010! Check out the familiar faces we found in the crowd.

Jemal Countess, Getty Images for Tommy Hilfiger

New Line Cinema/Warner Bros. Pictures

Celebrity Sightings: Spring 2010 Fashion Week

Eva Mendes, Kerry Washington, Rose Byrne, and Thandie Newton attend the Calvin Klein Spring 2010 fashion show on September 17, 2009.

Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images for IMG

Kathy Griffin attends the Isaac Mizrahi Spring 2010 fashion show at Bryant Park on September 17, 2009.

Bryan Bedder, Getty Images for IMG

Molly Sims attends the Calvin Klein Spring 2010 fashion show on September 17, 2009.

Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images for IMG

Mary J. Blige, Serena Williams and Alicia Keys attend a cocktail party benefiting FAWN at Gucci Fifth Avenue on September 16, 2009.

Jamie McCarthy, WireImage

Miranda Kerr attends the Calvin Klein Spring 2010 fashion show on September 17, 2009.

Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images for IMG

Janet Jackson attends the Ralph Lauren Spring 2010 fashion show at Skylight Studios on September 17, 2009.