BLACK LIVES MATTER - BLACK TOP MODELS I ADMIRE

Today I want to put the spotlight on some amazing black fashion models that I admire. As an ex fashion model, I know the drive, sacrifices and commitments it takes to be a successful model and also a role model.  As a true fashion lover I decided to emphasize these women who are changing the fashion world and most importantly, using their voice and platform to positively affect the black community and the Black Lives Matter movement.

From Indya Moore who gave the most emotional speech about fearing your life as a black transgender during the Daily Front Row awards in NY earlier this year to Adut Akech who recently won  the ‘Model of the Year” awards at the BFAs or Adesuwa Aighewi who keeps breaking boundaries and owning the runway. I know there are  many more amazing talented black models, please share in the comments. These  beauties are the ones I follow on Instagram as these women inspired me personally in my work and career.    

I. ADUT AKECH Adut Akech is a South Sudanese-Australian model who made her runway debut as an exclusive in the Saint Laurent S/S 17 show and was chosen as “Model of the Year” by models.com in 2018 and 2019. She is a muse for Valentino’s Pierpaolo Piccioli, is seen all over the runways during fashion weeks and has appeared on multiple international Vogue covers.

II. INDYA MOORE Indya Moore is an American actor and model none from the television series Pose. Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2019 and she was also the first transgender person to be featured on the cover of the US Elle magazine.

 III. NAOMI CAMPBELL Naomi Campbell is an English model who is amongst the most recognizable and in-demand models of the late 1980s and the 1990s and was declared supermodel by the fashion industry. Even at age 50 she’s still highly requested in is also involved in charity work for various cases.

IV. ADESUWA AIGHEWI Adesuwa Aighewi ranks as one of the “Top 50” models by models.com and walked for designers such as Dior, Fendi and Louis Vuitton as well as appeared in campaigns for Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs and Chanel. She from my country Nigeria and i am super proud of all her accomplishments.

V. WINNIE HARLOW Winnie Harlow is a Canadian model and spokesperson for the skin condition vitiligo. Her career started when she was a contestant of American’s Next Topmodel in 2014 and is nowadays one of the most requested models. I personally love her journey, and how her story has empowered women to be bold, beautiful and proud of who you are.

VI. ANOK YAI Anok Yai is second black model to open a Prada show after Naomi, and the first model with South Sudanese background to do so. She ranks as one of the “Top 50” models by models.com, was the face of Estee Laudee and has shot already more than 20 editorial campaigns in 2020.

VII. DUCKIE THOT Duckie Thot was first known from Australia’s Next Topmodel and made her runway debut for Yeezy S/S 17. She is also known for being the face for Fenty Beauty and her leading role in the 2018 Pirelli calendar. She recently spoke on recent events on her Instagram page ,showing her disappointment on how Australia has handled the whole Black Lives Matter movement  and appealed to  them not to be quiet during this movement.

VIII. ADWOA ABOAH Adwoa Aboah is a British model who first appeared on the cover of British Vogue in 2017. She has also been on the cover of American and Italian Vogue and the fashion industry voted her as Model of the Year for models.com. She's a stunning black model.

IX. JOURDAN DUNN Jourdan Dunn was discovered in 2006 and was named ‘Model of The Year” three times. She was the face of Maybelline New York and is considered one of this generation’s supermodels.

 X. MARIA BORGES Maria Borges is an Angolan model who was named Forbes Africa Magazine’s top model of 2013 and she is the favorite of designer Riccardo Tisci. She walked Victoria Secret four years straight and was the first black model to model for VS in her natural afro hairstyle.  Other amazing black top models include Mayowa Nicholas, Imaan Hammam, Maty Fall, Leomie Anderson, Achenrin Madit, Tami Williams, Jasmine Tookes, Chanel Iman, Flaviana Matata are all my favourites. I hope you give them a follow and get to learn more about the black community through them. I believe so much in inclusivity. At the end of the day we all bleed the same.