If you love fashion as much as we do, New York Fashion Week is one of your favorite times of the year. While we wait to see what new looks our favorite designers send down the runway, we had to take a moment to celebrate some of the progress Black models have made.
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Although we still have a long way to go, the fashion industry is beginning to look a lot more like the rest of the world, with Black models showing up on some of the hottest runways and gracing the covers of the biggest fashion magazines.
Whether they’re working the runway or running their own businesses, these Black models are killing the game.
Winnie Harlow
merica’s Next Top ModelThe world was introduced to model Winnie Harlow when she was a contestant on “America’s Next Top Model” in 2014. Although she didn’t take the top prize, she’s become one of the most popular models in the industry, with a net worth of $5 million. Diagnosed at age four with vitiligo, an autoimmune condition that causes discoloration in patches of the skin, the Canadian beauty has used her platform to become a spokesperson for the condition.
In March 2022, she launched Cay Skin, her brand of sun care products formulated to work on all skin tones.
Tyra Banks
Supermodel Tyra Banks is one of the most recognizable faces in the fashion industry and one of the most successful businesswomen in the game. Once the face of Cover Girl Cosmetics and a Victoria’s Secret Angel from 1997 to 2005 Banks has a net worth of 90 million dollars.
Her modeling career landed her spots in runway shows around the world and the covers of some of the biggest fashion magazines.
Banks is also an actress with a list of credits that include a recurring role on “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” and a part in the John Singleton film “Higher Learning.” In 2003, she became the host and executive producer of the popular reality series “America’s Next Top Model.”
Jourdan Dunn
After being discovered in a London Primark store in 2006, Jourdan Dunn has worked with the likes of Bottega Veneta, Burberry and Oscar de la Renta. In 2008, she became the first model of color since Naomi Campbell to walk for Prada. Still one of the hottest faces in the business, she was recently selected to be the face of Charlotte Tilbury’s latest mascara campaign along with supermodel Kate Moss.
Adut Akech Bior
Adut Akech Bior is a South Sudanese-Australian model who has walked runways for some of the hottest designers, including Valentino and Givenchy. In 2018, Bior became the second black model in history to wear the final bridal look in a Chanel couture show, and in 2019, she was named Model of the Year at the British Fashion Awards in London.
Precious Lee
Atlanta native Precious Lee has made a name for herself in the fashion industry as an advocate for size inclusivity. One of the few curvy girls that has walked for major fashion houses like Versace, Moschino, and Fendi, Lee has also been bitten by the acting bug, appearing in the STARZ series “Run the World.”
Alton Mason
In 2019, Alton Mason became the first Black male model to be featured in a Chanel runway show. A trained dancer, Mason has been featured in campaigns for luxury brands like Gucci, Hugo Boss and Louis Vuitton.
Slick Woods
Slick Woods has worked with well-known designers like Calvin Klein and Moschino. But she’s best known as Rihanna’s muse and one of the faces of her Fenty Beauty brand. In 2018, she famously went into labor after walking in a Savage X Fenty runway show in Brooklyn.
Anok Yai
Sudanese model Anok Yai was discovered in 2017 after being photographed at Howard University’s homecoming. The pic helped Yai gain plenty of new followers and caught the attention of model scouts. Since her viral photo, her star has only gotten brighter, appearing on the covers of magazines like Vogue Italia and W. In 2018, Yai became the first Black model to open a Prada runway show since Naomi Campbell in 1997.
Naomi Campbell
When it comes to supermodels, Naomi Campbell is one of the GOATs. The British model and actress has been one of the most sought-after faces in the industry since the late 1980s with a net worth of 80 million dollars. Campbell has graced the cover of over 500 magazines and has appeared in campaigns for famous fashion houses, including Versace, Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent.
Campbell has also taken her talents to the screen with acting credits that include roles in Empire and American Horror Story.
Maria Borges
Angolan model Maria Borges’ road to the top has not been easy. Raised by her 16-year-old sister after losing her mother at age 11, she started modeling to earn extra money to help pay for household expenses and her education. After working with brands like L’Oreal and Armani, Borges made history in 2015 as the first model to walk the runway in the Victoria’s Secret fashion show while rocking her natural hair.
Leomie Anderson
British supermodel Leomie Anderson has worked with designers including Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford and Moschino. She also walked in the always-popular Victoria’s Secret fashion show from 2015 to 2019. But when she’s not modeling, Anderson is an outspoken activist for important issues including racial equity in the fashion industry.
In 2020 Anderson landed a spot on Forbes’ prestigious 30 Under 30 list for launching her own feminist blogging platform (LAPP) and athleisure brand (LAPP the Brand). These days she hosts the BBC Three series “Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star.”
Broderick Hunter
Actor/model Broderick Hunter has been featured in high fashion magazines including Cosmopolitan, Vogue Paris and Italian GQ. The California native moved to Miami to pursue modeling in 2011. Since then, he’s become one of the most famous Black male models, working with high-profile designers including Ralph Lauren.
Duckie Thot
South Sudanese-Australian model Duckie Thot first made a name for herself after finishing in third place on Australia’s Next Top Model. Since then, she’s been featured in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, named a L’Oréal Paris ambassador and a Fenty Beauty model. Thot hopes her career can inspire others.
“I just hope that when people see me that they can see themselves reflected as well and know that nothing in this world is off limits to them,” she said in an interview.
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