From Abidjan to Paris: The Naïfs Magazine Cover Story That Explores The Modelling World Of The 70s and 80s Through The Eyes Of Yves Saint Laurent Muse Rebecca Ayoko
I am very touched by your words, thank you so much.
You are spot on with your comment on French cultural history. It is an overall issue we have in Europe that I hope will start being more and more addressed.
Such a pleasure to read you knew of her. I have looked for her in French magazines, but she seems to have appeared more in American ones. And it is no surprise. She is aging beautifully. When I met her you could see she is still a model through and through.
If I am not mistaken, Harper’s was the first American fashion magazine to feature a Black model on the cover. You’re correct, the phrase “super model” is beneath Rebecca, Beverly, and Danielle!
So very true and it applies regardless of geography: Growing Black in the United States was constantly being reminded that in the eyes of some we were worthless.” Curiously, these words could also be applied to France, a country home to one of the most prominent capitals of Western fashion but still struggling to face its slave and colonial past.
What a fantastic profile, interview and history lesson. I felt transported reading this.
It is a shame how much of French cultural history rarely gets transmitted here in the UK, so thank you for sharing Rebecca’s story.
Hello Michael,
I am very touched by your words, thank you so much.
You are spot on with your comment on French cultural history. It is an overall issue we have in Europe that I hope will start being more and more addressed.
Thanks again for reading and enjoying this story!
Rebecca was featured in Harper’s Bazaar often when I very young, and she’s aging in reverse! Great post, as usual!
Hello C.,
Such a pleasure to read you knew of her. I have looked for her in French magazines, but she seems to have appeared more in American ones. And it is no surprise. She is aging beautifully. When I met her you could see she is still a model through and through.
If I am not mistaken, Harper’s was the first American fashion magazine to feature a Black model on the cover. You’re correct, the phrase “super model” is beneath Rebecca, Beverly, and Danielle!
So very true and it applies regardless of geography: Growing Black in the United States was constantly being reminded that in the eyes of some we were worthless.” Curiously, these words could also be applied to France, a country home to one of the most prominent capitals of Western fashion but still struggling to face its slave and colonial past.
Contexts might differ, but the results are the same, that's so sad in a way.
It’s very sad.
Hello Aleshia,
I am glad you enjoyed the article and that you learned something new around Black culture, that's the reason I keep on looking for stories about us!