Style Starters: An Ode To The Black Girl ‘Model Walk’
By Rachaell Davis ·
It’s no secret: Everything Black women do, we do at an elevated level and in our own unique way. Get tickets to the 2018 ESSENCE Street Style Festival From the boardroom to the dance floor and everywhere in between, we leave a little sprinkle of Black Girl Magic wherever we go. A part of what makes us naturally stand out is the confidence we carry in our walk. Whether we’re working the runway, walking down the sidewalk in a fly outfit, or dominating the stage, there’s nothing quite like being in the presence of a confident Black woman on the move.
As we continue to celebrate everything that makes our style unique in anticipation for the 2018 ESSENCE Street Style Festival, scroll through to join us in paying homage to the way we strut our stuff.    
01
Style Embedded In Our DNA
Black women have been bringing a unique element of style to runways, sidewalks and everywhere in between since we can remember.

Pictured: Beverly Johnson
02
Rulers Of The Runway
As with everything we do, Black women bring an unique confidence and attitude to the runway that’s unlike any other.

Pictured: Tyra Banks
03
An Age-Defying History Of Slayage
Like the pioneer fashion models of color have continuously demonstrated over the years, a Black woman’s signature walk never goes out of style.

Pictured: Helen Williams
04
Always Ready To Strut
Try as you may, you’ll seldom catch a Black woman off guard when it comes time to strut her stuff.

Pictured: Eva Marcille
05
The World Is Our Runway
From curves, to melanin, to flawless skin, there are endless elements that help make a Black woman’s signature walk something to see.

Pictured: Philomena Kwao
06
Versatility Is Our Middle Name
Whether we’re rocking sneakers and sweats, jeans and sandals or 4-inch stilettos and gowns, a fierce strut is always on deck.

Pictured: Imaan Hammam
07
Owning The Moment From Head To Toe
It’s hard not to turn heads when you command any room you walk in with a confident walk.

Pictured: Maria Borges
08
Setting A New Standard
When a Black woman hits the runway, expect a little something extra.

Pictured: Chanel Iman
09
Flyer Than Your Average
Most importantly, our signature struts cannot be boxed in, contained or defined by anyone other than us.

Pictured: Jourdan Dunn
10
Bringing The Heat At All Times
From facial expressions, to body language, you can find us dripping in Black Girl Magic while our way to just about anywhere. Pictured: Riley Montana
11
It’s All In The Pose
No matter where we are or what we’re wearing, we know just how to compliment a fierce signature strut with the perfect pose.

Pictured: Tabria Majors
12
All Eyes On Her
Moral of the story: When a Black woman is in motion, all eyes are on her and it’s not hard to see why.

Pictured: Teyana Taylor