South Bank Cultural Forecourt

Grace Beverly Jones, born on 19 May 1948, is a Jamaican singer, songwriter, model, and actress. She began her modeling career in New York, signing with Wilhelmina Models, and later moved to Paris, where she worked for fashion houses including Yves St. Laurent and Kenzo. Jones appeared on the covers of Elle and Vogue Hommes and was photographed by Helmut Newton, Guy Bourdin, and Hans Feurer. She became one of the most prominent Black models of the 1970s, recognized for her androgynous appearance and bold features, and has been cited as influential in early discussions of gender expression. Starting in 1977, Jones pursued a music career after signing with Island Records and became associated with the disco scene centered around New York City's Studio 54. During this period, she was often called the "Disco Queen," with Jet magazine dubbing her "the greatest of them all" in 1979. In the early 1980s, her musical style shifted toward new wave, incorporating elements of reggae, funk, post-punk, and pop. She frequently collaborated with graphic designer Jean-Paul Goude and the duo Sly & Robbie.