HBO Documentary Films Launches Feature Project About Iconic Black Supermodel Donyale Luna, Breaking Barriers in Vogue at Harper’s Bazaar

Special: HBO Documentary Films is releasing a documentary about groundbreaking supermodel Donald Luna, one of the first black models to grace the covers of leading European fashion magazines.

Naila Jefferson (Lost Pearls: Pointe-a-La Hache Oyster), a film director, Oscar and Emmy with Lightbox (HBO’s). Bathtub Y Whitney, LA 92) and Jeff Friday Media (HBOs) Yusuf Hawkins: Storm in Brooklyn).

Luna was born Peggy Ann Freeman in Detroit in 1945 and took the name Donald Luna in her youth when she started her modeling career. It became the first color model to grace the cover of the British edition in March 1966. Fashion (Chloé wore a dress and was photographed by David Bailey.) She also appeared on the cover. Harper’s Market And other leading editions of fashion. Celebrities who shot the movie include Richard Avedon and William Claxton. On the runway she modeled Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino and Paco Rabanne, among others.

“It’s a dream to tell you the story of Donal Luna, a symbol of a woman whose legacy and enchantment deserves to be celebrated,” Jefferson said in a statement. “The historical contribution of black women has often been forgotten and distorted. It is a great honor for me to have the opportunity to feature Donal’s story and finally celebrate his glory.

In addition to modeling, Luna contacted Andy Warhol at the factory and starred in the 1964 movie. camping. He has also acted in movies. Fellini’s Satyricon (1969) and salome (1972). Luna met the surrealist artist Salvador Dalí in Europe and immediately named him one of her muses.

“The Donyale Luna has opened the door that has largely excluded other color models in the industry,” said Lightbox co-founders Simon Chin and Jonathan Chin. “We are delighted to partner with Naila to bring a new perspective to the mysterious figure.”

“This is the second project of an initiative jointly created by Lightbox and the American Black Film Festival to promote diversity in documentaries and to explore and support emerging African-American director talents,” Donyale Luna’s documentary said in the broadcast. “Following a critically acclaimed HBO documentary Yusuf Hawkins: Storm in BrooklynIt was led by Mutali Mohammed. [This year] 25 points^I Anniversary of partnership with HBO and sponsorship of the American Black Film Festival.

Jeff Friday, CEO of Jeff Friday Media and founder of ABFF, said, “We are pleased to continue this partnership with Lightbox and HBO Documentary Films. It gives newcomers the opportunity to access and share their stories with the world.”

Luna died of a drug overdose in 1979 at the age of 33, leaving her husband, Italian photographer Luigi Casaniga, and her 18-month-old daughter Dream Casaniga.

“My father and I are proud and want to share Donald’s inspiring and authentic journey and what his forward-thinking spirit means to the world,” Dream Cazzaniga said in a statement.

On pages dedicated to mom 2019 FashionWritten by Dream Cazzaniga.[E]Even though I only have a few vague memories of my mother, I feel her presence with me and inside me more and more every day. As a child living in rural Italy, I never appreciated the cultural legacy he left me. I was barely twenty years old and the stories were more remarkable than I could have imagined.”

The planned release date of the movie has not been announced. The documentary is produced by HBO Documentary Films and Lightbox in collaboration with Jeff Paraske Media and the American Black Film Festival. It is directed by Naila Jefferson, produced by Melissa Kramer and Issul Hussein Harris and co-produced by Melanie Shari. Executive producers are Jonathan Chin, Simon Chin and Jeff Freud.