Tyra Banks taped an episode of  “The Tyra Banks Show” celebrating the historic July 2008 Vogue Italia all black models issue on August 12, 2008 in New York City.  Toccara Jones, Chanel Iman, Selita Ebanks, Beverly Johnson, Noemie Lenoir, Stacey McKenzie, Pat Cleveland and Anna Cleveland were among the models present at the taping and photographed on West 26th Street.

Tyra Banks — along with Naomi Campbell, Toccara Jones, Liya Kebede, Sessilee Lopez, Jourdan Dunn others — was one of the models photographed by Steven Meisel for the wildly successful July 2008 Vogue Italy.  It was the vision of editor Franca Sozzani, to give prominence to black models, historically underrepresented in the fashion industry.  She chose influencial photographer Steven Meisel for the magazine’s 100 page photo spread.  As discussed in the New York Times article, Conspicuous By Their Presence, Franca Sozzani was inspired by Barack Obama’s historic Presidential candidacy.

See related posts on the groundbreaking Italian Vogue all black issue:

• Vogue Italia’s History-Making July Issue Will Feature All Black Models
• Photos: Preview of “Vogue” Italia July 2008 All Black Models Issue
• Photos: Naomi Campbell Vogue Italia July 2008 All Black Models Issue
• Photos: Toccara Jones Vogue Italia July 2008 All Black Models Issue

Photo credit: Brad Barket/Getty Images

Vogue Italia  cover photos, (L-R)  Liya Kebede, Sessilee Lopez, Jourdan Dunn and Naomi Campbell.  (Photo credit: Steven Meisel/Italian Vogue) 

Tyra Banks

Toccara Jones

Beverly Johnson

Chanel Iman

Noemie Lenoir

Selita Ebanks

Pat Cleveland and Anna Cleveland

Stacey McKenzie

Photos: Tyra Banks Show Celebrates Vogue Italia Black Models Issue July 2008