Not only did BV on Style have tickets to the hottest shows of the spring/summer 2011 season, we had a front row seat next to supermodel Beverly Johnson! Join us as we follow the fashionable footsteps of Johnson, as she storms Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park,the new home of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York (MBFW NY).

With a face you can't forget, Johnson will always be remembered for paving the way for high-fashion models of color. In 1974, she became the first Black model to appear on the cover of US Vogue and has over 500 magazine covers to date!

"I am excited to be in New York to kick-off the first season at Lincoln Center," dished Johnson, who is signed to Wilhelmina Models along with her daughter Anansa Sims.
We took in the Edition by George Chakra show with the mogul-model. We also spotted Kelly Rowland, model Jessica White and 'Top Model' winner Jaslene Gonzalez in attendance.

"I am wearing a look from the Edition by George Chakra fall 2010 collection. The line is very feminine and complements the curves," shared Johnson, who loved the embellishments Chakra did for spring 2011. When asked what distinguishes one designer from the next Johnson gushed "the wow factor," and, we have to agree! Chakra presented for the fourth time at MBFW NY and showed one of the strongest collections of the week. The designer shined like a veteran sending down the catwalk a bevy of 46 elegant and glamorous looks for the new season. From show stopping long satin gowns with sequined or glittering straps, to little black and white dresses suitable for a sexy date night, Chakra's designs emphasized and sculpted the female form. We loved the braided and weaving interlocking accents on the pieces that highlighted the architecture of the body in luxe colors of gold, saffron and blue lagoon.
Later, dressed in a fiery red shift dress from the fall collection of Edition by George Chakra, Johnson and BV took part in the biggest fashion party in history, Fashion's Night Out. Our first stop was the Giorgio Armani store on Madison Avenue where Johnson caught-up with long time friend, model/actress Lauren Hutton. The two reminisced about the heydays in fashion and modeling in the 70s.

"Lauren was highly influential in my career, she said. "She introduced me to photographer Francesco Scavullo, who shot my Vogue cover in 1974." And the rest is history!

With a schedule packed with events and appearances, Johnson turns to designer Kati Stern of Venexiana to get red carpet ready. We jetted to the Venexiana Spring/Summer 2011 runway where glamour and Stern's love of Lanvin's 1920s-era took center stage. The collection featured 50 eveningwear looks in a bouquet of spring colors inspired by the Mediterranean at sunset and the gardens of Italy's Alto Adige region where Stern visits each summer. Fashion historians will also recognize Kati's love of 1920s-era Lanvin throughout the collection.


"I recently found this line at Bergdorf Goodman and I fell in love," said Johnson pictured backstage with designer Kati Stern. "The collection it's very alluring, yet appropriate for many age groups. There were pieces I could easily see both myself and daughter Anasa wearing next season."