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Home • Film Festivals

Black Models Totally Ruled the 2016 Cannes Film Festival

Over the past two weeks, some of the world's top black modes -- from Jourdan Dunn to Alek Wek -- soaked up some serious sun in the South of France at the Cannes Film Festival. And at night, these brown beauties got decked out for all the red carpet events and lavish parties. Check 'em out! 
By Joslyn Winkfield · Updated October 27, 2020
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01
Liya Kebede

Liya Kebede was a vision in emerald green at a screening of “The Unknown Girl (La Fille Inconnue)” at the annual 69th Cannes Film Festival.

Black Models Totally Ruled the 2016 Cannes Film Festival
Anthony Harvey/FilmMagic
02
Liya Kebede
Liya Kebede slays on the runway during he amfAR’s 23rd Cinema Against AIDS Gala at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d’Antibes, France.
Black Models Totally Ruled the 2016 Cannes Film Festival
Venturelli/amfAR16/WireImage
03
Liya Kebede
Liya Kebede sports a lace number during the amfAR’s 23rd Cinema Against AIDS Gala at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d’Antibes, France.
Danielle Brooks, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira and More!
Venturelli/WireImage
04
Cindy Bruna

Cindy Bruna takes a break on a yacht during the 69th Cannes Film Festival in France.

Danielle Brooks, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira and More!
Runway Manhattan/Comi-Terenghi
05
Cindy Bruna
Cindy Bruna stuns in a purple gown at a screening of “Julieta” at the annual 69th Cannes Film Festival.
Black Models Totally Ruled the 2016 Cannes Film Festival
Tony Barson/FilmMagic
06
Cindy Bruna
Cindy Bruna is sleek and sexy at the L’Oreal Party during the annual 69th Cannes Film Festival.
Black Models Totally Ruled the 2016 Cannes Film Festival
Venturelli/WireImage
07
Cindy Bruna
Cindy Bruna looked like royalty at the Chopard Party at the 69th annual Cannes Film Festival.
Black Models Totally Ruled the 2016 Cannes Film Festival
Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
08
Jourdan Dunn
Jourdan Dunn is cute and casual in overalls arriving at Hotel Martnez during the annual 69th Cannes Film Festival.
Danielle Brooks, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira and More!
Jacopo Raule/GC Images
09
Jourdan Dunn
Jourdan Dunn poses on the lawn during amfAR’s 23rd Cinema Against AIDS Gala in Cap d’Antibes, France.
Black Models Totally Ruled the 2016 Cannes Film Festival
Dave M. Benett/amfAR16/Dave Benett/WireImage
10
Jourdan Dunn
Jourdan Dunn strikes a fierce pose at the screening of “The Unkown Girl (La Fille Inconnue)” at the annual 69th Cannes Film Festival.
Black Models Totally Ruled the 2016 Cannes Film Festival
Samir Hussein/WireImage
11
Jourdan Dunn
Jourdan Dunn casually slays on the streets during the annual 69th Cannes Film Festival.
Black Models Totally Ruled the 2016 Cannes Film Festival
Jacopo Raule/GC Images
12
Jourdan Dunn
Jourdan Dunn serves on the runway during the the amfAR’s 23rd Cinema Against AIDS Gala at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d’Antibes, France.
Black Models Totally Ruled the 2016 Cannes Film Festival
Venturelli/amfAR16/WireImage
13
Chanel Iman

Chanel Iman soaks up the sun in this easy, breezy all-white look. She’s effortlessly fabulous in these flowing wide-legged pants and paneled crop top.

Black Models Totally Ruled the 2016 Cannes Film Festival
Beretta/Sims/REX/Shutterstock
14
Chanel Iman
Chanel shows some leg at the screening of “Hands Of Stone” at the annual 69th Cannes Film Festival.
Black Models Totally Ruled the 2016 Cannes Film Festival
George Pimentel/WireImage
15
Chanel Iman
Chanel Iman attends a star-studded dinner hosted by DEAN & DELUCA in Cannes France.
Danielle Brooks, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira and More!
David M. Benett/Getty Images
16
Chanel Iman
Chanel Iman hangs out at the L’Oreal Party during the annual 69th Cannes Film Festival.
Black Models Totally Ruled the 2016 Cannes Film Festival
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
17
Chanel Iman
Chanel Iman plays with cutouts at the De Grisogono Party during the annual 69th Cannes Film Festival.
Black Models Totally Ruled the 2016 Cannes Film Festival
Anthony Ghnassia/Getty Images
18
Chanel Iman
Chanel Iman takes it to another level in this netted number at amfAR’s 23rd Cinema Against AIDS Gala in Cap d’Antibes, France.
Black Models Totally Ruled the 2016 Cannes Film Festival
Dave M. Benett/amfAR16/Dave Benett/WireIma
19
Alek Wek
Alek Wek wore chic all black to the ‘De Grisogono’ Party during the annual 69th Cannes Film Festival at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d’Antibes, France.
Black Models Totally Ruled the 2016 Cannes Film Festival
Gisela Schober/Getty Images
20
Lais Ribeiro
Lais Ribeiro glitters at the amfAR’s 23rd Cinema Against AIDS Gala at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d’Antibes, France.
Black Models Totally Ruled the 2016 Cannes Film Festival
Pascal Le Segretain/WireImage
21
Lais Ribeiro
Lais Ribeiro enjoys an evening out at the Unesco Dinner At Club Albane during The 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival.
Black Models Totally Ruled the 2016 Cannes Film Festival
Laurent Viteur/FilmMagic
22
Lais Ribeiro
Lais Ribeiro works the runway during the amfAR’s 23rd Cinema Against AIDS Gala at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d’Antibes, France.
Black Models Totally Ruled the 2016 Cannes Film Festival
Pascal Le Segretain/amfAR16
23
Heidy de la Rosa
Heidy de la Rosa twirls in the light at the amfAR’s 23rd Cinema Against AIDS Gala at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d’Antibes, France.
Black Models Totally Ruled the 2016 Cannes Film Festival
Tristan Fewings/WireImage
24
Chanel Iman and Heidy De la Rosa
Chanel Iman and Heidy De la Rosa serve double the beauty at the amfAR’s 23rd Cinema Against AIDS Gala in Cap d’Antibes, France.
Black Models Totally Ruled the 2016 Cannes Film Festival
Pascal Le Segretain