In today’s revolutionary fashion industry, Black Models are referred as Supreme Models. As the times are changing and progress is being made in the fashion industry, Black models are now opening and closing some of the greatest renowned fashion shows through their cat walk on the ramp. Also being photographed for major ad campaigns and landing the covers of fashion Bibles such as Harper’s Bazaar, Elle and Vogue.
Black hasn’t been a favorable color in the fashion industry for years, but after enlightenment, the issue of Black Lives Matter movement there has been further major efforts to promote the inclusion and representation of minority groups, mainly the Black community, in mainstream spheres like fashion.
In solidarity of the movement Black Lives Matter, some of the renowned players of the fashion industry supported racial equality and paved the way for change to happen for minorities and stood up for what they believed they deserved.
We are glad that we have got a handful of the many beautiful black models that forged a path for themselves and their communities in an industry that has often stuck to narrow with limited concepts of who should be appreciated and celebrated. In the history of the fashion industry, models are now making confident strides and proved to the world that the power of a little melanin and a lot of strength can do for the fashion industry.
Top Black Male Models
Tyson Beckford
Tyson Beckford is Afro-Jamaican by birth. He is popularly known as Ralph Lauren Polo model. At the age of 49, Tyson is considered as one of the Best Black Super Model of all time. Tyson’s talent was discovered by Jeff Jones, the owner of a popular hip-hop magazine “The source.” His fame has also brought him into appearances on television and in films. Tyson has been on the top of the list of the “50 Most Beautiful People in the World ” by People magazine, also been awarded as ‘Man of the Year ” back in the 90s, being the most recognizable, exotic and surreal model among all the male models.
Djimon Hounsou
The most celebrated Afro-American Model in the fashion industry. He made his first feature debut by appearing in a film ‘Without you I am nothing’ back in the 90s. Acing both the careers acting and fashion, he gained recognition and popularity through his acting career by nominating for his films as the Best Supporting Actor. In 2007, Djimon became the face of Calvin Klien, for their man’s lingerie model, also that time Djimon was also being represented by an renowned modeling agent of that time Omar Albretto in Los Angeles.
Bakay Diaby
A 21-years old, young black model with his attractive features and a good height of 6’1 has been seen on various fashion ramp walks for the rising, compelling the young talent. Diaby is one of those models who have represented Black Beauty internationally by walking for Gucci.
Alvin Clayton
Alvin Clayton is known as a Man of Many Talents by earning the titles of University soccer player, model, artist, and restaurants. People call him more than just a Mastermind. He gained fame through his Matisse-inspired paintings, then after being aired on a TV show House of Style. He considers modeling as a lucky career for him. He kept his modeling career with his passion for paintings, soon he felt a lure of another business then he opened up a restaurant named Alvin and Friends.
Vladimir Mcrary
A renowned as an unmissable black model and an actor with commanding looks but also because of his independent personality. Vladimir Mcrary is famous for playing different roles with his appearance in films, The fifth Element, Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles, and The Dirt. He is also known for his best modeling work with Jean Paul Gaultier and Thierry Mugler. Mcrary knows how to balance his own professional and spiritual path, with style.
Gary Dourdan
Gary Dourdan was born on December 11, 1966. He is an American model and actor. He is known as the son of his talented mother who is a fashion designer and a teacher. He is best known for portraying Warrick Brown on the television series Crime Scene Investigation and for portraying Shazza Zulu on the television series A Different World.
Renauld White
Renauld White is another living legend of the fashion industry. Renauld owns the title to be The First ever Black Model to appear on the cover of GQ Magazine, when GQ Magazine was the Bible of menswear. Not just that, but he is also the first American Black Male Model to work with the fashion legends American designers like Bill Blass, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Jeffrey Banks, and Donna Karan. No one knows better than him how to endorse his White hair.
Jason Olive
Jason Olive is an Afro-American Actor who is best known for his role as Joseph in the sitcom by Tyler Perry but also a model that is best known for his multi-racial presences back in 90s. Jason’s black beauty was highly appreciated by the legends of the fashion industry. He gained fame by appearing in the ads for renowned brands like Banana Republic, YSL, and CK perfume.
David Agbodji
An Afro-American Model, born in Paris but based in New York. David’s popularity increased to greater heights when he became a model for Calvien Klien. After his sleek modeling he earned the title of the Face of Calvien Klien. David’s ideal black skin and perfect body have empowered him to be ranked as one of the top black male models in the fashion industry.
Rob Evans
Starting his modeling career at Givenchy Men’s 2011 spring/summer collection, Rob became one of the recognizable top black male models of the fashion industry. He was ranked in the list of 25 top black male models. Despite being a fashion model, Rob Evans was also a fitness coach; he was recognizable for his physique and fitness. Then he made his appearance on the famous TV show American Next Top Model show in the years 2012 and 2013 his popularity rose with great extent.
Top Black Female Models
Noami Campbell
Noami Campbell is an English Model. By birth, she is an Afro-Jamacian. Naomi Campbell is considered as one of the Top Black Female models of today’s fashion industry. Naomi is not just a model but a multi-talented model with her acting talent and a mindset of a business woman. She made her first appearance at a tender age of 7 in the music video of Bob Marley. At the age of 50, Noami Campbell is still one of the most demanded models in today’s fashion industry. She covered for American Vogue where her Black beauty was highly appreciated.
Leomie Anderson
Leomie Anderson started her career back in 2010, with Marc Jacobs as an English model. Despite her modeling career she is also a Designer by profession. Leomie Anderson gained her fame when she first walked for the Victoria Secret Fashion Show and later on became an Angel of Victoria Secret. Anderson is one of the beautiful faces of Rihanna’s own beauty line Fenty Beauty where she promotes Black Beauty.
Adut Akech
Adut Akech is a young 20 year-old South Sudanese – African Model. She quickly gained popularity and fame for her toothed gape which is normally counted as a flaw but she surely knew how to embrace one’s flaws and was later on known as the ‘Gap-toothed Beauty’ of the fashion industry. He is the face of Valentino’s Pierpaolo Piccioli. In 2018, after her debut Adut Akech was also chosen as ‘The Model of the Year’ by the Models.com. She walked many ramp walks for Vogue embracing her black beauty internationally.
Adesuwa Aighewi
Adesuwa Aighewi is an American fashion model that initially entered the modeling career to earn money and later on was ranked as one of the 50 top fashion models by Models.com. Adesuwa’s black beauty was discovered at a very young age of 15, on the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Adesuwa is recognizable for her prominent face features among the models. She was also the runner up for Breakout Star of the Year by Models.com
Jasmine Tookes
Jasmine Tookes is a Gymnastic Fashion Model. Jasmine’s mother is one of the Fashion Designers and she discovered her modeling talent at her mother’s showroom appointment. She started her career in 2010 with commercial ad campaigns of the Gap then later on performed her first catwalk for Ralph Lauren which was represented by Lincoln Center. In 2015, she walked for Victoria Secret and became Victoria Secret Angel where she was selected to wear The Fantasy Bra (worth $3 million in 2016). Jasmine Tookes, then made her first debut on The Forbes listed as one of the highest paid fashion models of the world.
Duckie Thot
Duckie Thot is an Australian Model, who was a runner up in Australia’s Next Top Model and then made her first debut at Yeezy’s show. Duckie’s sister Nikki paved her path for modeling then she was later appreciated for her darker complexion. She also made her appearance in Alice in Wonderland. Now Duckie is one of the most successful models of America.
Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks is a mixture of Africa and American black beauty. Tyra started her modeling career at the tender age of 15 and since then received a lot of affection and admiration for her black beauty. Despite her modeling career she is a producer, business woman, and an actress. Tyra Bank is also a creator and representative of America’s Next Top Model and listed as one of the highest paid top models.
Halima Aden
Halima Aden is an African beauty, making Hijab. She received widespread attention because of her Hijab. Halima is the first Muslim model to wear Hijab and covering her head, and a Burkini in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Halima Aden received international media attention when she won the Miss Mannesota USA pageant. Halima just not empowered and displayed how to embrace black beauty but also spread diversification in the modeling industry through her Hijab.
Joan Smalls
Joan Smells is a Puerto Rican model and an actress and the first Latina model. Joan became initially interested in modeling then in 2007, she started her career by Elite Model Management. She aced the runaways and recently pledged to support the movement of Black Lives Matter. Joan Smalls was also listed by Forbes as one of the highest paid models. Joan Smalls was Ranked # 1 Model by Models.com
Maria Borges
Maria Borges is a black Angolan model. Her modeling talent was discovered in the contest of Elite Model Look which was the edition of Angolan. Borges is the first African woman who featured on the cover of the American version of ELLE. Ricarrdo Tisco says that Maria is her favorite and she calls him Godfather. Maria Broges made her first fashion debut where she walked 17 runaways. And for second she was became the face of Givency. In 2013, Maria was named in Forbes Africa Magazine’s.
Beverly Johnson
Despite being her an American Model, Beverly Johnson is also an actress, singer and a successful business woman. Beverly Johnson is the first African-American Black model to appear on the cover of American Vogue, in August 1974. Then after a year, Beverly also appeared on the cover of French Edition of ELLE and became the first first African-American Black model to be featured. Through her hardwork, Beverly was also listed as one of the most influential people of 20th century’s fashion industry by The New York Times.
Winnie Harlow
Chantelle Whitney Brown-Young who is professionally called Winnie Harlow is a Canadian Fashion Model. In her early life she was bullied for her skin condition but got her overnight fame by embracing her skin condition, when she was diagnosed by chronic skin condition vitiligo. Her beauty was discovered by a TV show, America’s Top Model along with Tyra Bank. Winnie Harlow has been at the forefront of changing the beauty standards not just of the modeling industry but for realm world.
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