Who: Nigerian-British model Betty Adewole
What: Tom Ford Spring/Summer 2014 Campaign
Details: Who else but this bronzed beauty could show off shimmering nudes and splashes of hot color from Tom Ford’s Color Sheer and Nail Lacquer collection? The ad, shot by Tom Ford himself, is Adewole’s first make-up campaign.
Who: Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o
What: Miu Miu Spring/Summer 2014 Ad Campaign
Details: The ad’s moody blue background and juxtaposed classics –– “bad girl bustier dripped with jewels,” paired with sweet Mary Jane’s were drawn from dream-like inspirations, according to the Italian fashion house. And as gorgeous as the 12 Years A Slave star looks, you would think it were a dream.
Who: Erykah Badu
What: Givenchy Spring/Summer 2014 Ad Campaign
Details: We would have never guessed Givenchy Creative Director, Riccardo Tisci would tap one of music’s most eclectic talents, but then again, the collaboration is a match made in fashion heaven. Rocking an African-Japanese fused collection, the campaign truly captures Badu’s beauty and innate sense of style. “She’s one of the most stylish women I’ve met in my life,” said Tisci. We agree.
Who: Rihanna
What: Balmain Spring/Summer 2014 Ad Campaign
Details: Six months after Balmain Creative Director, Olivier Rousteing met Rihanna, the two became besties and the singer inspired his spring collection. The result? A hot campaign featuring “a strong, real woman in the clothes, not just a model” –– precisely what the designer dreamed up.
Who: Joan Smalls
What: Boss Fall/Winter 2013 Ad Campaign
Details: This Puerto Rican top model is currently boss of the industry right now, so the collaboration featuring Smalls in clean-cut clothes and metallic accessories, couldn’t have been a better match.
Who: Joan Smalls
What: Fendi Spring/Summer 2014 Ad Campaign
Details: “She had this incredible golden, glowing skin that made her look like some Etruscan beauty,” Karl Lagerfeld told WWD, the moment he laid eyes on Smalls in Milan. It’s that very essence the designer-turned-photographer captured in his ironically icy hot Spring campaign with the model.
Who: Joan Smalls
What: Prabal Garung Spring/Summer 2014 Ad Campaign
Details: We got a glimpse of this “Rose In Flame” campaign in a teaser post on the designer’s Instagram, which, in a nut shell sums up Joan Small: A beauty on fire.
Who: Tchad-Polish born model Anais Mali
What: David Yurman Fall/Winter Ad Campaign
Details: With her peculiar background, Mali must have been the perfect match for the fine jewelry company’s Beauty In Contrast collection. “Through design, styling, and imagery, we tell a story of contrast in all its mesmerizing beauty,” said founder David Yurman, not a faar cry from the beauty herself.
Who: Anais Mali
What: Juicy Couture Spring/Summer 2014 Ad Campaign
Details: Pushing their velour track suits to the past, Juicy Couture first tapped Mali to appear in their fall campaign titled, “Bad Reputations.” Continuing on that bad girl streak, the model hits Venice Beach in foul-mouthed tees and and a fab ‘fro for Spring.
Who: British model Jourdan Dunn
What: DKNY Spring/Summer 2014 Ad Campaign
Details: Designer Donna Karan captures the color of New York with an unexpected mix of models: Jourdan Dunn, A$AP Rocky and Cara Delevigne. Despite the busy backdrop of the Time Square streets, Dunn somehow manages to stop traffic.
Who: Kenyan-British model Malaika Firth
What: Prada Fall/Winter 2014 Ad Campaign
Details: While this may look like an ordinarily chic Prada ad, this was a history-making moment for model Malaika Firth. It was unfortunately the first time the Italian fashion house casted a black model in 19-years. On the upside, selecting this beauty was a step in the right direction.
Who: Malaika Firth
What: Prada Spring/Summer 2014 Ad Campaign
Details: In a see of camoflauged color, Firth was fortunate to appear as one of two black model’s in the Italian brand’s spring campaign as well. The concept? “Teams of models hold us in their collective gaze, looking forward in a united vision.” Let’s hope!
Who: Malaika Firth
What: Valentino Spring/Summer 2014 Ad Campaign
Details: Firth’s finest campaign yet is undeniably this Italian vintage–esque fashion moment clad in the designer’s signature shade of red lace and piled on pieces of gold.
Who: Malaika Firth
What: Burberry Prorsum Spring/Summer 2014 Ad Campaign
Details: European fashion houses just can’t get enough of Firth. The British heritage brand tapped the model to effortlessly sport their classic trench coat and signature plaid handbags.
Who: Congolaise-Italian model Cindy Bruna
What: Prada Spring/Summer 2014 Ad Campaign
Details: That other beauty in Prada’s spring campaign? That would be the new girl in town Cindy Bruna, apart of the Italian brand’s “modern feminine troupe,” shot by famed fashion photographer Steven Meisel.
Who: Ethiopian Model Liya Kebede
What: Tiffany & Co. Fall/Winter 2014 Ad Campaign
Details: Heres one way to outshine the carats in a Tiffany campaign –– cast Liya Kebede. The beauty dons the collection’s diamond drop earrings and an equally icy bracelet while clad in a silk screen-siren style gown. Stunning!
Who: A mix of black models
What: Phillip Plein Fall/Winter 2014 Ad Campaign
Details: After casting an entire Milan runway show with only models of color, the Italian designer followed suit with his spring/summer ad campaign featuring a series of brown beauties decked in all-white and all-black and “dressed to kill.” Plein’s objective, “to push limits and transcend conventions.” Bravissimo!
