Beginning with Naomi Sims in the sixties, many Black models have broken barriers and pushed for more diversity in fashion ever since. These supermodels are absolute trailblazers whether closing fashion shows or landing commercial campaigns.
From Beverly Johnson being the first Black model to cover Vogue US to Alek Wek changing beauty standards with her career breakthroughs, we celebrate 25 models who prove that diversity is beautiful.
Black Models
Naomi Sims
Naomi Sims is considered the first Black supermodel. She was the first African-American woman to grace the cover of Ladies’ Home Journal in 1968, and in 1969, she graced the cover of LIFE Magazine, making her the first black model to do so.
In 1973 Sims retired from fashion modeling and created a wildly successful wig business. Sims also wrote books about modeling and beauty. Sadly, in 2009, the American model died of breast cancer.
Beverly Johnson
Beverly Johnson made history as the first Black model to grace the cover of American Vogue in August 1974, followed by becoming the first Black woman on ELLE France the next year. Initially signed with Ford Models, she later joined Wilhelmina Models after facing doubts about her potential to land major covers.
Her groundbreaking Vogue cover paved the way for diverse models in fashion magazines and on designer runways. Beyond modeling, Beverly also appeared in television shows and films, including her reality series Beverly’s Full House on OWN in 2012, which focused on her life and family.
Iman
Iman made waves in the 1970s by excelling both on the runway and in print, a rarity at a time. Discovered by photographer Peter Beard in Nairobi, her striking long neck, high forehead, and refined features captivated him instantly.
Throughout her career, Iman worked with iconic photographers like Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, and Helmut Newton. Yves Saint Laurent even honored her with his “African Queen” collection.
Beyond modeling, she became a business powerhouse with Iman Cosmetics and her HSN line, “Global Chic.” Iman, who married the late David Bowie, has stated she will never remarry after his passing.
Veronica Webb
Veronica Webb worked as a model during the 1980s and 90s and is credited with being the first African-American model to land an exclusive contract with a beauty brand. In 1992, Revlon signed Webb as a brand ambassador, making history.
Veronica has appeared on the covers of Vogue Italy, ELLE, and Essence Magazine, cementing her place in fashion. She has also ventured into acting, with roles in films like Jungle Fever, Malcolm X, and In Too Deep.
Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell, the iconic British supermodel, began her career in 1986 and continues to be a top name. Discovered at age 15, she quickly signed with Elite Model Management and made history as the first Black woman to grace the covers of French Vogue and Time Magazine.
In the late ’80s, she became part of the celebrated “Trinity” alongside Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista. Naomi expanded her influence by launching the modeling competition show The Face in 2013, airing in both the U.S. and Australia.
Throughout her career, Naomi has starred in major campaigns for brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Versace, and Dolce & Gabbana, and her runway walk remains legendary. Surprisingly, despite her extensive career, her first major cosmetics campaign didn’t come until 2018, when she became the face of NARS.
Tyra Banks
You might remember that Tyra Banks was the first Black model to land a solo Sports Illustrated: Swimsuit Issue cover in 1997. But did you know that in that same year, she was also the first African-American woman to cover the Victoria’s Secret Catalogue and GQ magazine?
In 2019, she returned as a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover star, showing off a fuller figure and looking fabulous.
Since her modeling days, Tyra has become known for producing and hosting ‘America’s Next Top Model,’ which has several successful spin-offs worldwide. This former Victoria’s Secret Angel also went on to host Dancing with the Stars.
Alek Wek
Alek Wek is a South Sudanese model most well-known for defying beauty standards in the fashion industry. Beginning her modeling career at 18, Alek stood out for being dark-skinned, having African features, and a shaved hairstyle.
Many look up to Wek for showing a different kind of beauty that does not conform to Caucasian standards as a Black woman. In 1997, Wek appeared on the November cover of ELLE, making her the first African model to appear on the publication.
Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o has called Wek one of her inspirations growing up. Notable brands the African model has walked for include Alexander McQueen, Oscar de la Renta, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, and Valentino.
Jourdan Dunn
British model Jourdan Dunn made history in 2008 as the first Black model to walk for Prada in over a decade. In 2014, she became Maybelline face, and in 2015, she broke barriers again as the first Black model in over 12 years to land a solo cover on British Vogue.
Dunn has walked the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show multiple times and is outspoken about discrimination in the modeling industry, She has highlighted issues like casting directors limiting shows to a single Black model and makeup artists who refuse to work with darker skin tones.
Her success on the international runways of New York, Paris, and Milan underscores the importance of diversity in fashion.
Slick Woods
Slick Woods is another model who stands out on our list. This Los Angeles native has a unique beauty that’s impossible to ignore. Amplified by her signature shaved head, gap teeth, and audacious tattoos, she exudes pure confidence.
Discovered by Ash Stymest, Slick Woods skyrocketed to prominence, rapidly securing her status as the face of high-profile brands like Moschino, Calvin Klein, and Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty.
Her influence extends to the glossy pages of elite fashion publications like American, Italian, and Japanese editions of Vogue, as well as Dazed and Glamour. She’s also ventured into acting, making a noteworthy debut in the 2020 movie Goldie and the show Grown-ish.
Adut Akech
Adut Akech Bior, an Australian model with South Sudanese heritage, skyrocketed from a local fashion show to international stardom. After her debut at Melbourne Fashion Week, she graced the Saint Laurent runway during Paris Fashion Week.
“Adut Akech is probably the number one model in the world right now,” said Supreme Models author Marcellas Reynolds in our exclusive interview. She’s worked in ads for fashion companies like Valentino, Zara, and Marc Jacobs, and strutted for Vivienne Westwood, Prada, Tom Ford, and Versace.
Adut was featured in the 2018 Pirelli Calendar and won “Model of the Year” at the 2019 British Fashion Awards. In 2021, she became an Estee Lauder ambassador. Known for her natural hair, she inspires young Black girls.
Precious Lee
Precious Lee is a plus-size model that has broken barriers in the fashion world. A highlight of the recent seasons’ runway shows, she has appeared on the catwalk for Versace, Michael Kors, and Moschino.
She also appeared in Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty show, which debuted on Amazon Prime Video to much fanfare.
Seasoned in the fashion industry, Precious Lee has been the first Black plus-size model to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated: Swimsuit Issue. She also could be seen on Times Square billboards as a part of Lane Bryant’s campaign #PlusIsEqual.
Grace Jones
Grace Jones, born in Jamaica in 1948, is an iconic model, singer, and actress known for her exotic, androgynous beauty and bold style. She launched her modeling career in New York, later moving to Paris to work with top brands like Yves Saint Laurent and Kenzo, and appeared on the covers of Elle and Vogue.
In 1977, she began her music career, releasing 11 albums that spanned genres from post-punk to reggae, influencing stars like Rihanna and Solange. Jones has also starred in over 25 films, TV shows, and documentaries, solidifying her cultural impact.
Liya Kebede
Liya Kebede, the Ethiopian-born model, designer, and activist, made history with an entire issue of Vogue US dedicated to her. Discovered by Tom Ford, she gained attention walking in Gucci’s Fall/Winter 2000 show.
A frequent cover star for Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, she has led campaigns for brands like Yves Saint Laurent, Victoria’s Secret, and Louis Vuitton. In 2003, she became the face of Estée Lauder, and in 2007, Forbes ranked her among the top-earning supermodels.
Kebede also founded Lemlem, a brand supporting Ethiopian textile crafts and local artisans. She further extends her impact as a WHO Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health
Noemie Lenoir
Noemie Lenoir is a French Black model and actress. Lenoir started her career when she was spotted by a Ford Modeling Agency agent in 1997. She was only 17 at the time. That same year, Noemie signed a contract with L’Oréal.
She also modeled for brands like Victoria’s Secret, Gap, and Next. She has also notably been the face of a British luxury high-street retailer, Marks & Spencer, from 2005 to 2009 and again in 2012.
Lenoir has appeared in over ten films, including titles like Rush Hour 3 and The Transporter Refuelled. Notably, the acclaimed photographer Annie Leibovitz has named her as one of the world’s most successful black models.
Winnie Harlow
Winnie Harlow, born Chantelle Whitney Brown-Young, is a Canadian-Jamaican model who has changed beauty standards. Diagnosed with vitiligo at age four, she rose to fame on America’s Next Top Model, where, despite placing sixth, she became one of the show’s most successful alumni.
In 2014, she became the face of Desigual and closed the London Fashion Show for Ashish. Since then, she’s appeared in Vogue Italia, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and ad campaigns for brands like Nike, Puma, Swarovski, Tommy Hilfiger, and Fendi.
Beyond modeling, Harlow advocates for vitiligo awareness, sharing her story through YouTube and TEDx, and has appeared in music videos for artists like Eminem and Calvin Harris.
Joan Smalls
Joan Smalls, one of Puerto Rico’s most famous models, signed with Elite Model Management in 2007. She began with brands like Nordstrom before Riccardo Tisci chose her for Givenchy’s 2010 Haute Couture show, launching her into high fashion.
She went on to work with top designers, including Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Fendi, and appeared on covers of Vogue, i-D, GQ, and Elle. Smalls has also walked the Victoria’s Secret runway and featured in the Pirelli Calendar.
In 2013, Forbes ranked her as the world’s 8th highest-paid supermodel.
Pat Cleveland
Pat Cleveland became one of the first Black models to gain international acclaim in the 1970s. Discovered by a Vogue editor as a teenager, she became a muse for Halston and Stephen Burrows, icons of the fashion scene.
Her twirls on the runway were a dance of defiance against racial barriers. Even today, her influence reverberates, with her daughter Anna Cleveland following in her footsteps.
Jasmine Tookes
Jasmine Tookes is known as one of the sexiest Black models. The American beauty got her first major break in 2010, and by 2012, she was already walking for Victoria’s Secret, a brand synonymous with mainstream appeal.
But her crowning moment came in 2016 when she wore the $3 million Fantasy Bra, a feat that etched her name in fashion history. Beyond modeling, she worked with Josephine Skriver on an activewear brand called JoJa.
Halima Aden
Hijabi model Halima Aden is another beauty who broke barriers. Born in a Kenyan refugee camp to Somali parents, her journey to the catwalk is a tale of resilience that defies the odds.
Aden challenges the fashion world’s narrow standards of beauty, proving that modesty and glamour can coexist. In 2020, she became the first model to wear a burkini in the Sports Illustrated: Swimsuit Issue. The short 5’7″ model’s advertising campaigns include top brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Fenty Beauty.
Duckie Thot
Duckie Thot is a South Sudanese-Australian model who first gained attention as a finalist on “Australia’s Next Top Model.” But her move to New York catapulted her into the fashion stratosphere.
As one of the most famous dark skin models, Duckie challenges the industry’s narrow beauty norms. From walking for Tommy Hilfiger to becoming a L’Oréal ambassador, Duckie Thot is a radiant force in today’s beauty industry.
Adwoa Aboah
Born in London to an English mother and Ghanaian father, Adwoa Aboah has made her mark in fashion and activism. She’s appeared on Vogue covers and walked for brands like Chanel, but her influence extends beyond modeling.
Aboah founded Gurls Talk, a platform for young women to discuss mental health, sexuality, and other important issues. Her efforts have earned her recognition, including British GQ’s Woman of the Year in 2017. She also acts, with a role in the British TV show Top Boy.
Chanel Iman
As one of the top Black female models of the 2000s, Chanel Iman is a name that stands out in fashion history. This American model, with African-American and Korean heritage, has been a beacon of diversity in an industry often criticized for its monochromatic palette.
Discovered at a young age, she quickly ascended the ranks, walking for iconic brands like Dolce & Gabbana and Ralph Lauren. Her appearances in Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows and numerous Vogue features made a worldwide impact.
Imaan Hammam
Imaan Hammam is a model of Moroccan and Egyptian heritage known for her signature curly hair. Discovered in Amsterdam’s Central Station, her journey to international stardom is inspiring.
She’s walked for powerhouses like Versace and Givenchy, and her Vogue covers are a visual feast that challenges the industry’s Eurocentric lens. In 2023, she signed on as an ambassador for Estee Lauder.
Anok Yai
Anok Yai rose to fame after being spotted at a college party, with social media quickly amplifying her reach. She became the first Black model in over two decades to open a Prada show.
Born in Egypt to South Sudanese parents, she is now an Estée Lauder ambassador and has starred in campaigns for Chanel, Versace, and Fendi. In 2024, she fronted a Mugler perfume campaign.
Cindy Bruna
Cindy Bruna, of Congolese and Italian descent, made history as the first model of color to exclusively walk for Calvin Klein. She’s since become a runway regular, appearing for brands like Victoria’s Secret and in campaigns for top names like Prada, Michael Kors, and Chanel
Trailblazing Supermodels
These trailblazing Black models have made a lasting impact on the fashion industry, reshaping beauty standards. From dominating top runways to gracing influential magazine covers, they’ve challenged industry norms.
Their careers underscore resilience and inspire us to reconsider beauty and success. As fashion continues to evolve, more Black women are set to expand this legacy, marking the start of a more inclusive future.
GREAT ARTICLE
Correction: Beverly Johnson was the first on the cover of US Vogue. British Vogue was the first to use a black model, Donyale Luna, on it’s cover in 1966, which also means that Naomi Campbell wasn’t the first black woman on the cover of British Vogue.
Exactly
The article says that Naomi was the first black model to appear on the cover of FRENCH vogue.