The beauty and fashion world would not be what it is today without the likes of our Black supermodels that have and are currently killing the game. Whether it was Naomi Campbell’s show stopping 1995 Fall/ Winter Versace runway debut, or Precious Lee becoming one of the most sought out plus size models within the industry to date, Black women have continuously pushed the culture forward within many industries, disciplines, and fields of talent that have proven time and time again that we are the girls.
What began as a revolution in 2010, later resulted in the highest number of Black supermodels to ever take over the world of high fashion, modeling, and beauty. With revolutionary faces that opened up the scope for Black supermodels today such as Tyra Banks, Grace Jones, and Naomi Campbell to name a few, the modeling industry has seen an increase in diversity, inclusion, and representation that has pivoted from Black women and women of color.
Adut Akech
Born in South Sudan, Adut Akech was born and raised in Kenya. She later moved to Australia at the age of six with her mother and five siblings as South Sudanese refugees. Adut began her modeling career officially at the age of 16 when she was scouted by local agencies in Australia. The now 22-year-old supermodel was the second model in history to land a concluding bridal spot in a Chanel couture show, as well as securing five Vogue September cover issues. Adut has walked for Versace, Valentino, Dior, and Givenchy to name a few. She’s graced many campaigns that include Fendi, Moschino, Saint Laurent, Valentino, and has covered noteworthy publications such as Vogue, I-D Magazine, Dazed, and Numéro.
Jasmine Tookes
Jasmine Tookes is best known for her show-stopping debuts as a Victoria's Secret Lingerie model. The stunning 33-year-old started her career in 2012, later becoming a Victoria's Secret angel in 2015. Jasmine was named by models.com as one of the top ten new models during New York’s 2011 Fashion week, and is known to date as one of the most leading faces in the industry. Jasmine is far from done when it comes to leaving her mark within fashion and beauty, as well as helping to create a roadmap for other Black women to dream bigger within the world of modeling.
Naomi Campbell
Known as one of the world's most noteworthy supermodels to ever strike the runway, it is and has always been Naomi’s world. The 5’10 model mogul, made way in the industry at the age of 15 after being scouted by Beth Boldt, the head of Synchro Model Agency. The now 51-year-old supermodel has seamlessly dominated the industry for over four decades and has served for a plethora of campaigns, fashion shows, and publications that include Burberry, Valentino, Prada, Versace, Chanel, Dolce, and Gabbana, Marc Jacobs, and Louis Vuitton to name a few. In addition to participating in over 500 campaigns and magazine covers, Campbell has also served as a judge for the hit tv series, The Face.
Alek Wek
Alek Wek is a Sudanese- British model who began her career in 1995 at the age of 18. After fleeing to Britain in 1991 to escape the civil war in Sudan at the time, Alek wanted to break ground in an industry where she saw faces that looked like her. Alek wanted to also tear down stereotypes and boundaries for women of color and women globally by standing in her truth and being a face for others to follow. Alek first made way into the industry in 1995 after a cameo scene in Tina Turner’s Golden Eye music video for James Bond.
Winnie Harlow
Winnie Harlow tore down old ways of what the fashion industry deemed normal by paving her own path and standing firm in her own skin. Having lived her life battling the prominent skin condition, Vitiligo, Harlow decided to break ground in the industry after participating in America’s Next Top Model in 2014. Though she, unfortunately, didn't win the reality modeling competition during the show, she did make the final rounds which put her on the map within the public eye. Others believe that Harlow’s career would have never started if it weren't for her elimination from the show, which ultimately created a new path for her to create her own image outside of reality tv. Winnie has served in a plethora of campaigns ever since such as Fendi, Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger, Diesel, Swavarski, and Victoria’s Secret to name a few. The 27-year-old trailblazer is very much still a face to be reckoned with, and is continuing to be a force within a rigid industry.
Tyra Banks
Born on December 4, 1973, in Inglewood, California, Banks was the first Black woman to land the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue in 1997. The notable star and supermodel later graced the world of fashion as the host of America’s Next Top Model, as well as serving as one of fashion and beauty’s most recognizable faces for Cover Girl and Victoria’s Secret. Originally scouted by one of the world’s most famous talent agencies, Elite Model Management, Banks shot her first spread with Seventeen magazine, as well as becoming the first African American woman to model in Victoria’s Secret in 1997. Deciding to go off on her own, Banks created her own beauty line in 2014 entitled, Tyra Beauty. She has since made her mark within the industry as a notable face on reality tv shows, as well as making guest appearances in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Gossip Girl, Wild’n Out, and others.
Duckie Thot
Most notably known as a “Life-Sized Barbie,” Duckie Thot, has seamlessly taken the world of modeling by storm. The Australian model is best known for finishing third place on the eighth cycle of Australia's Next Top Model, later making her debut in Kanye West’s Yeezy S/S 2017 show. Duckie is also best known for being a face for Fenty Beauty, as well as her lead role in Alice and Wonderland’s 2018 Pirelli calendar. As an up-and-coming model searching for opportunities in Melbourne, Australia, Duckie was often denied as a result of her darker complexion. She decided to move to Brooklyn, New York, in hopes of finding more success in America- which she did after receiving multiple offers to sign with top of the chart agencies. After signing with New York Model Management, “Duckie The Black Barbie” has since left her mark within the modeling industry by making it more diverse and inclusive of darker-skinned Black women.
Precious Lee
Precious Lee is a plus-sized model that’s made way in noteworthy publications including Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, and other global magazines. The Atlanta native had a clear vision since she was eight years old of making it in the beauty and fashion space. Lee has starred in numerous campaigns that include Versace, Miu Miu, and Marc Jacobs to name a few. After attending an open call in 2016, Lee launched her career in Atlanta at the age of 18. Ever since, the supermodel has continued to grace luxury campaigns where she’s been the star of her own story as a darker plus-sized model within a lucrative space.
Anok Yai
South Sudanese supermodel, Anok Yai, is the first Sudanese model to open a Prada show. The 24-year-old was first spotted at a party during Howard University’s homecoming week after being shot professionally by a photographer. The photo of Anok later received over 20,000 likes in 24 hours, and turned heads by some of fashion’s most notable agencies such as IMG Models and Next Models. Yai has since appeared in a number of campaigns and fashion shows and is continuing to push the trajectory of diversity within fashion at the forefront of important conversations.
Grace Jones
The icon and arbiter of all things diva and fashion is one of the world’s most recognizable faces that is hard to forget. The Jamaican native is best known for her artistry within music, acting, and modeling. At the age of 12, Jones moved to Syracuse, New York to go to Syracuse University. She was later scouted and signed by Wilhelmina Models, however, her looks in America were deemed too androgynous and weren't garnering successful attention. As a result, Jones decided to move to Paris, France and landed a few modeling gigs for Kenzo, Saint Laurent, Helmut Newton, and Guy Bourdin. She later graced the covers of Elle, Vogue, and Der Stern as a result of her edgy yet sophisticated personality.