Groundbreaking model Renauld White has died at the age of 80

Fashion insiders are mourning the loss of one of the industry’s black pioneers. Model and actor Renauld White died on Wednesday, June 26, at the age of 80.

White is perhaps best known as one of the first black men to appear on the cover of GQ, and only the second black model in the magazine’s history to do so when he graced the cover of the November 1979 issue. White also broke the racial divide on the runways of major designers. As Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) reports, White has worked with Bill Blass, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Yves Saint Laurent, Versace and Armani, among others, during his long career. As recently as 2023, the semi-retired model appeared in a campaign for Dolce & Gabbana, photographed by Steven Meisel.

“(Renauld White) was a trailblazer,” his longtime friend, fashion designer Jeffrey Banks, told WWD. “There were very few black models at the time. He really broke barriers. When they threw him a party in Newark to celebrate his 50th anniversary in the fashion industry, he was very proud of the progress and how he opened doors for other people.”

Born in Newark, New Jersey, White reportedly briefly attended Rutgers University and began modeling in the 1960s. David Neeman, founder and chairman of the children’s nonprofit Loyalty Foundation, where White was formerly on the advisory board, remembers it “vividly.” Speaking to young members of the organization’s Open Minds mentoring program in 2019, White recounted how he “barged into (the modeling agency) Wilhelmina, demanded to be seen, then got an appointment the next day and how the booking changed his life.”

“He is an absolute legend and a pioneer, and not just in fashion,” Neeman added.

Speaking to WWD in 2011, White claimed that “he was offered a modeling contract because they thought he would fail.” However, he not only found success in the fashion industry, but eventually on screen as well, landing a recurring role as William Reynolds on the soap opera “Springfield Story” between 1986 and 1992. Over the decades, he appeared on screen in several other productions, as well as on stage at New York City’s acclaimed La MaMa Experimental Theater and other venues. White was friends with many, including Aretha Franklin, and often accompanied the late singer to events in New York City, WWD reported.

“He was a nice and charming guy,” recalls fashion pioneer Bethann Hardison, who met White in the late 1960s.

Throughout his career, White also remained a staunch advocate for diversity in the industry, urging his own agents at Wilhelmina to take the initiative to represent and promote more black men.

“I wanted to make a change. I really confronted the establishment about why there weren’t more images of black men,” he told WWD in 2011. “At first I thought I was going to get thrown in jail and beaten up for my attitude. But then they realized they were wrong and behind society and behind the times and that they needed to listen to me.”

Throughout his life, White has reportedly extended his influence to encourage younger talent. “I had a career that lasted over 30 years. There’s nothing like that anymore. I encourage them to do great things. Take the money, go to school, open a business, become an entrepreneur and be self-sufficient.”

“(He was) an extraordinary man, so kind, so patient, so thoughtful and a great mentor,” Neeman recalled.

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White, who was known as a fitness enthusiast and a black belt in karate, reportedly died in hospice care at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan; the cause of death was not disclosed. His funeral will be held on July 12 in his hometown of Newark, where he will be fondly remembered by those who knew and worked with him.

“He was the perfect gentleman. He was kind and helpful,” Banks said. “I think that’s why his death was such a shock to people, because he was such a good person.”