List of black fashion models

The following is a list of black fashion models.

A

Naomi Campbell

.

• Betty Adewole – Nigerian-British print model who has worked for Tom Ford Beauty and 'The Edit', Net-A-Porter’s magazine.
• David Agbodji – was ranked #4 on Models.com's Top 50 Male Models list in early 2013.^[1] Has modeled for Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Express, Kenneth Cole and Vivienne Westwood and appeared in editorials in GQ Style, Interview, Numero, V, Vogue Hommes and Vogue Paris.^[1]
• J. Alexander – model, runway coach and America's Next Top Model judge. Walked for Jean Paul Gaultier.
• Karen Alexander – African-American fashion model and actress. Has appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue twice and on the January 1989 cover of Vogue.
• Rebecca Ayoko – Togo-born model of the 1980s and '90s, one of Yves Saint-Laurent's leading models and sometime muse. Also modeled for leading houses in Europe and the US, Geoffrey Beene, Oscar de la Renta.
• Yasmine Arrington is a professional plus-size or curvy fashion model and motivational speaker.

B

Tyra Banks, chosen by Time in 2008 as one of the world's 100 most influential people.^[2]

• Tyra Banks – first African-American to grace the covers of GQ and the Sports Illustrated's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and become a Victoria's Secret Angel. Host/creator of America's Next Top Model.

Tyson Beckford, chosen by music cable network Vh1 as "Man of the Year" in 1995.

• Tyson Beckford – top male model of the 1990s and 2000s, actor and host of Bravo's Make Me a Supermodel. Beckford was the first African-American model to sign an exclusive contract with Ralph Lauren.^[3] In 1995, he was chosen as "Man of the Year" by cable television music network Vh1 and named to People's 50 Most Beautiful People in the World list.^[3]
• Shari Belafonte – model of the 1980s.
• Minah Ogbenyealu Bird – Nigerian model and actress active in the UK in the 1970s. Appeared in such films as Percy's Progress, The Stud and The London Connection.
• Maria Borges – Angolan model who booked 17 shows during her first season since being discovered back in 2012. Borges has since walked for Dior and Givenchy, even referring to the fashion house's Creative Director Riccardo Tisci as her "godfather". In 2013, 2014, and 2015 she walked the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
• Cindy Bruna – Afro-French model who has appeared on the runways of DVF, Ralph Lauren, and Donna Karan. Bruna is the third woman of color to ever appear in a Prada print campaign.

C

• Naomi Campbell – first black (British) model to grace the covers of French Vogue Paris (August 1988 issue) and Time magazine (TIME Magazine Europe 9/18/91), and the second for the cover of British Vogue (December 1987 issue).
• Dorothea Church – African-American pioneering model. She was the first successful black fashion model in Paris.
• Pat Cleveland – African-American model of the 1970s who was the muse of Halston, Yves Saint Laurent and Stephen Burrows.

D

• Yaya DaCosta – African-American actress and fashion model. Runner-up in Cycle 3 of America's Next Top Model.
• Agbani Darego – Nigerian model and winner of Miss World competition 2001. She worked for brands such as L'Oréal cosmetics.
• Bruce Darnell – American model who modeled for Calvin Klein, Hermès, Issey Miyake and Kenzo. Former judge of Germany's Next Topmodel and Germany's Das Supertalent and coach for Switzerland's Top Model.
• Naki Depass – Coming from Jamaica, Depass made her presence felt from the get-go, debuting in 2016 with an exclusive at Burberry, then following it up with turns at Prada, Céline, and Givenchy.^[4]
• Ajak Deng – Sudanese model who walked recent runways in Paris, booking high-end designer shows, including Lanvin, Givenchy and Jean Paul Gaultier.
• Ataui Deng – Sundanese model who walked the runways for John Galliano and Christian Dior.
• Nadège du Bospertus – French model who was the muse of Gianni Versace and Giorgio Armani in the early '90s.
• Ophelia DeVore (August 12, 1922 – February 28, 2014) was an American businesswoman, publisher, and model. She was the first African-American/Black fashion model in the United States. In 1946, she helped establish the Grace Del Marco Agency, one of the first modeling agencies in America.
• Khoudia Diop – Senegalese model who calls herself the "Melanin Goddess" because of her dark skin tone.^[5]
• Jourdan Dunn – outspoken British model known for breaking down the barriers for black models the past decade, walking major runways like Prada and Chanel and landing a solo cover of British Vogue – first black model in 12 years to do so. Worked for brands such as Versace, Burberry, Beats Electronics and Maybelline.

E

• Selita Ebanks – former Victoria's Secret Angel. Has also modeled for Abercrombie & Fitch and Tommy Hilfiger.
• Cora Emmanuel – Martinique-born model who has walked the runways of Chanel, Bottega Veneta, Prada, and Carolina Herrera.
• Danielle Evans – winner of America's Next Top Model, Cycle 6'. She has had campaigns for CoverGirl, Sephora, and Akademiks.

F

• Tomiko Fraser – African-American fashion model and actress. Best known for being the face of Maybelline as well as her role in the movie, Head Over Heels.
• Malaika Firth – Kenyan model from London. First black model to appear in a Prada campaign in 19 years.
• Selena Forrest – A new face, Forrest made her runway debut Spring 2016 and opened for Proenza Schouler. Forrest may just be the next tomboy model photographers become obsessed with.^[4]

G

• Nadja Giramata – Rwandan model who has worked for Tom Ford, landed a major campaign with TopShop, and appeared in the covetable pages of Vogue Italia.
• Quiana Grant – African-American model. Appeared in the 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

H

• Bethann Hardison – African-American editor, journalist, model and television commentator. In November 1973, was part of "The Battle of Versailles" designer walk-off that helped put American fashion on the global style map.
• Winnie Harlow – Appeared in magazines such as i-D and Dazed.^[6] Modeled for fashion website Showstudio.com, Diesel. Also appeared in commercial shoots for Nick Knight, Ebony, Sprite. Chosen as one of BBC's 100 Women. Diagnosed with vitiligo.
• Tanisha Harper – African-American model, actress and television host. Appeared in The Bold and the Beautiful and ABC's Ugly Betty.
• Shelby Hayes – Hayes has been experiencing a bona fide “moment” in 2016; appearing everywhere—from Prada to Missoni to Louis Vuitton.^[4]
• Marsha A. Hunt – African-American model, singer, novelist, and actress.
• Beverley Heath Hoyland – Jamaican-British model and businesswoman.

I

• Chanel Iman – Korean/African-American who has modeled Dolce & Gabbana, Issey Miyake, Kenzo, Marc Jacobs, Valentino, Bottega Veneta, DSquared², Hermès, Moschino, Oscar de la Renta, Jean Paul Gaultier and Stella McCartney. The only black woman to grace the cover of the May 2007 issue of American Vogue with nine other girls as the next generation of supermodels.

J

• Beverly Johnson – first African-American to grace the covers of American Vogue (August 1974 issue) and French Elle (1975). However, Johnson is the second black model to grace the cover of a Vogue publication after Donyale Luna whose face was partially hidden on cover of British Vogue due to her race.^[7]
• Kidada Jones – African-American actress, model, and fashion designer. Appeared in Tommy Hilfiger advertisements, and dated Tupac Shakur at the time of his death.
• Toccara Jones – African-American fashion model and occasional actress and television personality. Contestant on the third season of the UPN series America's Next Top Model. She is the first black plus-size model to grace the pages of Vogue Italia.
• Grace Jones – Jamaican-American model, actress, singer and a muse to Andy Warhol.

K

• Kiara Kabukuru – American fashion model of Ugandan descent who has appeared in ads for Gucci and CoverGirl cosmetics. She also graced the cover of American Vogue in 1997.
• Jayne Kennedy – is an American television personality, actress, model, corporate spokeswoman, producer, writer, public speaker, philanthropist, beauty pageant titleholder and sports broadcaster. Kennedy won a 1982 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture award for her performance as Julie Winters in the 1981 film Body and Soul co-starring alongside her then–husband Leon Isaac Kennedy.
• Kina – first Belgian-born black model with an international career. Popular in the late 1990s and the early 2000s. Was the Face of Hermès and Fred. Featured on the cover of Elle and Sports Illustrated (Europe). Has modeled for Armani, Banana Republic, Comme des Garçons, Dior, Givenchy, Vivienne Westwood, Yves Saint Laurent.
• Katiti Kironde – First African-American covergirl of a women's magazine in the Glamour August 1968 college issue.

L

Sessilee Lopez at the Barbie 50th Anniversary Collection

• Janet Langhart – African-American model, television journalist and author.
• Shakara Ledard – model and actress, originally from The Bahamas. She has posed for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue as well as for Maxim Magazine.
• Noémie Lenoir – French biracial model of Malagasy descent who has appeared in ads for L'Oréal, Gap, and other well-known companies. Has graced the covers of many fashion magazines worldwide and was a Victoria's Secret Angel.
• Sessilee Lopez – black model of Dominican descent who has appeared in Vogue Italia in its famous black issue, as well as walking in the 2008 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
• Donyale Luna – American fashion model of the 1960s and early 1970s. The first black model to appear on the cover of a Vogue publication British Vogue.
• Damaris Lewis – African-American model who appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2009, 2010, and 2011.
• Leomie Anderson English model

M

• Anais Mali – born in Toulon, France, to a mother from Chad and a Polish father. Walked for Marc Jacobs, Vera Wang, Derek Lam, Vivienne Westwood, Cynthia Rowley, Carolina Herrera. Joined the Angels for Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2011.
• Eva Marcille – first African-American to win the reality show America's Next Top Model.
• Denny Méndez – former beauty queen turned model and actress who represented Italy in the 1997 Miss Universe pageant.
• Ariel Meredith – African-American model who appeared several times in the pages of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
• Riley Montana – African-American (Detroit-native) model who has appeared in print ads for Givenchy and editorials for Vogue Paris.
• Naima Mora – winner of America's Next Top Model, Cycle 4.
• Mounia – Martinique native was a muse to and runway model for Yves Saint Laurent. His "Porgy and Bess collection" made her a celebrity. Graced 15 covers including WWD.

N

• Ajuma Nasenyana – Kenyan model who has appeared in catalogs for Issey Miyake and walked the runway for Baby Phat, Ungaro, Vivienne Westwood and the 2006 show for Victoria's Secret.
• Kai Newman – Jamaican model has appeared on many designer runways, including Gucci, Rodarte, Calvin Klein, and Jil Sander.
• Katoucha Niane – Senegalese-French model and outspoken activist against female circumcision.
• Mayowa Nicholas – Nicholas was a star back when she won Nigeria's round of Elite Model Look back in 2014, but Fall 2016 provided her with a moment in the spotlight. Appearing on the runway of Miu Miu alongside Adriana Lima; and walking the shows of Dior and Prada.^[4]
• Anderson Noel – Haitian-American model. Can be seen on runways and print for JCrew, Gap, Dockers, and many more.
• Munachi Nwankwo – Nigerian model and hip-hop artist. Won Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant in 2007.

O

• Lola Odusoga – Nigerian-Finnish model and first black Miss Finland.
• Lana Ogilvie – Canadian model seen in frequent Cover Girl ads in the 1990s.Also profiled in 1994 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
• Gail O'Neill – African-American fashion model who has become a television journalist. Appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Continues to model actively as of 2009.
• Oluchi Onweagba – Nigerian model and winner of M-NET/Nokia 'Face of Africa' competition 1998. She has featured in multiple ad campaigns, including Gianfranco Ferré, Victoria's Secret, Express, Banana Republic, and Ann Taylor.

P

• Emanuela de Paula – Brazilian top model, who ranked the 11th highest paid supermodel for 2009, earning $2.5 million according to Forbes. De Paula has also been praised by Naomi Campbell and Anna Wintour of Vogue.
• Beverly Peele – first African-American to grace the cover of Mademoiselle in 1989.
• Daisi Pollard – Crowned Miss Jamaica International in 2005.
• Marie Powell – American model.
• Valery Prince – American model
• Wanakee Pugh - (professionally known as Wanakee) was born in New Jersey, but raised in Michigan. Initially aspiring to be a fashion designer, she studied Fashion Design at Brooks College in Long Beach, California. After graduation, she entered the fashion industry first as an illustrator, then as a fashion model. Wanakee was at the height of her career when she successfully started a hair care line called "Verifen Complex." Today Wanakee is a Christian minister, motivational speaker, and an incredible artist.

R

• Lais Ribeiro – Brazilian model. In 2009, she started modelling locally and shortly afterwards walked the major international catwalks for such designers as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, and Marc Jacobs.
• Georgianna Robertson – Jamaican model in the 1990s. Cover of Vogue Paris, 1996, and appeared in editorials for ELLE, Town & Country. Walked for designers in the 1990s including Carolina Herrera, Jean Paul Gaultier, Ralph Lauren, Thierry Mugler, Chanel, and Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture - Spring/Summer 2001 & Spring/Summer 2002
• Shaun Ross – albino male model, who was appeared in editorials for Vogue Italia and i-D and modeled for Alexander McQueen and Givenchy.

S

Arlenis Sosa, Dominican fashion model, at the Carlos Miele Spring 2009 Collection

• Lyndsey Scott – American fashion model who in 2009 was the first model of color to score an exclusive with Calvin Klein.^[8]
• Bre Scullark – third runner-up of America's Next Top Model, Cycle 5
• Debra Shaw – American fashion model and has walked in major fashion shows from 1993 to 2007 for Alexander McQueen, Badgley Mischka, Betsey Johnson, Dries van Noten, Gieffeffe, Givenchy, Issey Miyake, Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano, Karl Lagerfeld, Lanvin, Ocimar Versolato, Veronique Leroy, Vivienne Tam and Vivienne Westwood.
• Kimora Lee Simmons – American fashion model, author, and former president and Creative Director for Phat Fashions. She is of African-American and Korean heritage.
• Naomi Sims – model of the late 1960s and 1970s. The first African-American model to appear on the cover of Ladies Home Journal and Life Magazine in the 1960s. She later went on to write beauty books and created her own line of cosmetics and wigs.
• Mecia Simone Simson – winner of Britain's Next Top Model, Cycle 5.
• Mercedes Scelba-Shorte – runner-up of America's Next Top Model in Cycle 2
• Joan Smalls – Puerto Rican fashion model.
• B. Smith – Pennsylvania native began her career with the Ebony Fashion Show and went on to grace the cover of Mademoiselle in July 1976. Currently a successful entrepreneur.
• Toukie Smith – African-American actress and model. Sister of late fashion designer Willi Smith and former long-term partner of actor Robert De Niro.
• Arlenis Sosa – Dominican model who has graced the cover of Time Magazine, and has walked many runways, such as Derek Lam and Diane von Fürstenberg.
• Saleisha Stowers – winner of America's Next Top Model, Cycle 9.
• Stephen Bruynder from the Netherlands. Country that refuses black models, 1987, Paris, kenzo and other designers, often working with Katoucha Niane,

The first and only black Dutch male black model that made his way international.

T

• Peggy Dillard-Toone – second African- merican to fully grace the cover of Vogue Magazine August, 1978. Alum of Pratt Institute.^[9]
• Jasmine Tookes – Current Victoria's Secret Angel.

V

• Louise Vyent – Dutch-born model popular in the 1990s. Featured in the 1990 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Featured on multiple Glamour magazine covers.

W

Jessica White at Vanity Fair party

• Eugena Washington – African-American model signed to Elite Model Management in Los Angeles and Chicago, Photogenics in Los Angeles, Irene Marie Models in Miami (billed as Eugenia Washington) and Stellar Model Management. Second runner-up on America's Next Top Model, Cycle 7.
• Veronica Webb – 1st Black model who signed with a major cosmetics company (Revlon).
• Alek Wek – Sudanese model who, aside from gracing magazine covers and being featured in ad campaigns, has walked the runway for high-profile fashion designers such as John Galliano, Donna Karan, and Calvin Klein.
• Jessica White – African-American model and occasional actress.
• Roshumba Williams – African-American model, actress, television host, and correspondent and reality show judge. First became internationally famous for her appearance in the prestigious Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.

Y

• Kara Young – California-born model popular in the 1990s. Landed the coveted Vogue cover on three occasions.

See also

• Supermodel

References

External links

• Fashion Model Directory