Outstanding Models

Darnella Thomas

“I started my modeling career at the Philadelphia Models Guild. After a year, I was commuting back and forth to New York, where I eventually signed with the Stewart Modeling Agency. From there I was represented by Wilhelmina. Finally, through the help of my friend and very famous make-up artist Joey Mills, I ended my career at the Ford Modeling Agency.

In 1979, I landed my first big modeling assignment for Revlon’s Charlie perfume. I was the first African American model to represent Charlie, and the ads were published in Essence, Glamour, Vogue and international publications. This exposure gave me the opportunity to appear in TV commercials, major ads like Dupont and the top fashion catalogues. I also worked for some of the major fashion designers: Scott Barrie, Stephen Burrows and Issey Miyake.

After my modeling career, friends and I started a business marketing coal through the help of a company on Wall Street. There were four of us ladies trying to market coal to the Department of Defense, Alabama Power and Light, Tennessee Valley Authority, etc. Eileen Ford was amused by this venture but wished me well.

I later attended FIT, taking gemology courses. I am currently working at the House of Chanel.”