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Home • Fashion Week

A-Z: Black Model Directory

Models of color are making a splash as they become vocal about diversity in the fashion industry. Whether it's by rocking their nautral hair, slaying the cover of Teen Vogue (we see you Imaan, Aya and Lineisy) or speaking out about unfair practices in the industry these ladies are being seen and heard on and off the runway. Here's our guide on the must-know models of the moment.
By Celia L. Smith · Updated October 27, 2020
01
Ajak Deng

Who: Angelique Deng

What: The chocolate stunner is a regular on the Mara Hoffman runway and was spotted at Naeem Khan, Dennis Basso and The Row for Spring 2014. Deng has also graced ad campaigns for household names including Bennetton, Louis Vuitton and Kenzo.

Where: The Sudanese native now calls Australlia her home and is currently signed to IMG.

Keep up with her: @itsajakdeng

A-Z: Black Model Directory
02
Alek Wek

Who: Alek Wek

What: This industry veteran was scouted in London at age 14 and has been working ever since. This season we caught a rare sighting of Wek on the runway at Moschino and modelling the coveted Isabel Marant for H&M collection in their new ad campaign.

Where: These days you can find Wek doing more philanthropic work then fashion. The current Brooklynite is signed to four agencies from IMG Paris to d’management group in Milan.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Keep up with her: @therealalekwek

A-Z: Black Model Directory
FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images
03
Anais Mali

Who: Anais Mali

What: This golden girl has been ripping the runway for the past three years since she was discovered on the streets of Paris. Now she’s walking for designers including Micheal Kors, Dolce & Gabanna and Diane von  Furstenberg’s Spring 2014 collections.

Where: The French model is now signed to Ford.

Keep up with her: @anais_mali

A-Z: Black Model Directory
04
Ataui Deng

Who: Ataui Deng

What: Sashayed on Hermes, Vivienne Westwood and Jean Paul Gaultier runways this Spring 2014 season

Where: This Sudanese stunner is signed to Trump Management, Elite and Models1

Keep up with her: @atuid

A-Z: Black Model Directory
05
Aya Jones

Who: Aya Jones

What: This 20-year-old French Ivorian Beauty has recently graced the cover of Teen Vogue’s August cover representing brown beauties in the fashion business.

Where: The Lions Agency

Keep up with her: @iamayajones

A-Z: Black Model Directory
06
Binx

Who: Leona Binx Walton

What: This southern belle, hailing from Tennessee, came out with bang at Vuitton, Alexander Mc Queen and Chanel and more this Spring season

Where: Next Model Management

Keep up with her: @waltonleona

A-Z: Black Model Directory
07
Chanel Iman

Who: Chanel Iman

What: There isn’t a major designer that Iman isn’t walking for. The hot supermodel quickly rose to the ranks since her debut in 2006, and took center stage this season at Kors, de La Renta, DKNY and killed at Cushnie et Ochs

Where: Fashion’s All American “it” girl from Cali is signed to IMG

Keep up with her: @itsmechaneliman

A-Z: Black Model Directory
Catwalking/Getty Images
08
Cindy Bruna

Who: Cindy Bruna

What: By way of South of France this mixed chick (Congalese and Italian) recently got signed two years ago but is already playing in the big league at McQueen, Givenchy and Gaultier

Where: Wilhelmina New York


A-Z: Black Model Directory
09
Devanie Gobir

Who: Devanie Gobir

What: Nigerian American model’s glowing cocoa skin stole our attention at Catherine Malandrino this past NYFW.

Where: Major Model Management

Keep up with her: @devaniejoy

A-Z: Black Model Directory
Arun Nevader/Getty Images
10
Fatima Siad

Who: Fatima Siad

What:  Former America’s Next Top Model cycle 10 contestant is determined to prove that she’s more than just a reality show star and the model’s epic Herve Leger campaign in 2012, and presence on Ralph Lauren’s runway this season did just that

Where: The Somalian-born, Boston-bred is signed to IMG

Keep up with her: @realfatimasiad

A-Z: Black Model Directory
11
Grace Bol

Who: Grace Bol

What: Bol’s deep mahogany skin, short hair and lean frame pays close resemblance to Alek Wek, but this Sudanese newbie is paving her own way at Tom Ford, John Galliano and Lanvin this season.

Where: Elite New York City

A-Z: Black Model Directory
12
Grace Mahary

Who: Grace Mahary

What: This beauty traded in her basketball sneakers for heels after being discovered at a 2005 ELLE model search. Now she’s literally gracing the runways of Miu Miu, Valentino and Givenchy

Where: IMG

Keep up with her: @gracemahary

A-Z: Black Model Directory
13
Herieth Paul

Who: Herieth Paul

What: Don’t be fooled by the baby face, this mahogany stunner started out at age 14 (she’s now 19-years-old) but has worked for some of the industries biggest names including Giorgio Armani and Just Cavalli, not to mention she’s currently the face of Tom Ford Beauty

Where: Women Management

Keep up with her: @heriethpaul

A-Z: Black Model Directory
Catwalking/Getty Images
14
Imaan Hammam

Who: Imaan Hammam

What: This Dutch black bombshell added Givenchy, Topshop and Jean Paul Gaultier to her resume this season and there’s plenty more to see

Where: DNA Models

Keep up with her: @imaanhammam

A-Z: Black Model Directory
Catwalking/Getty Images
15
Jeneil Williams

Who: Jeneil Williams

What: The Jamaican model rocked the runway at Zero + Maria Cornejo and DVF. Her full lips and slender, toned physique was one to remember.

Where: IMG

Keep up with her: @jeneil1

A-Z: Black Model Directory
Getty Images
16
Jasmine Tookes

Who: Jasmine Tooks

What: This Cali-native is taking the industry by storm with her killer body. From the Honor show in New York to Missoni in Milan this model definitely gets global play

Where: IMG

Keep up with her: @jastookes

A-Z: Black Model Directory
17
Joan Smalls

Who: Joan Smalls

What: No introduction necessary. Ranked #1 Top 50 Models on models.com the Puerto Rican Princess is taking over. From Tiffany’s ad campaigns this fall to Alexander Wang runways, she’s doing it all

Where: IMG

Keep up with her: @joansmalls

A-Z: Black Model Directory
Peter Michael Dills/Getty Images
18
Jourdan Dunn

Who: Jourdan Dunn

What: We’re loving Jourdan Dunn right now, not only because she’s looked exceptionally stunning at the Alexander Wang (pictured here) and Tommy Hilfiger shows this season, but because she’s also speaking up about the lack of diversity in fashion. “There was a season where ethnic models were being represented and then it went back to the same routine of just using one or none at all,” Dunn told Fashionista.com

Where: Women Management

Keep up with her: @missjourdandunn

A-Z: Black Model Directory
Peter Michael Dills/Getty Images
19
Kai Newman

Who: Kai Newman

What: She might be the new girl on the block but the Jamaican-bred beauty boasts a show roster of Hermes, Nina Ricci and the only brown girl at Jil Sander (shown here)

Where: One Management

A-Z: Black Model Directory
20
Kyra Green

Who: Kyra Green

What: Another gorgeous one who’s “green” to the scene is this America’s Got Talent contender who got snatched up by the modelling industry. Now she’s on a new stage, walking for names like Burberry and Phillip Plein.

Where: IMG

A-Z: Black Model Directory
21
Lineisy Montero

Who: Lineisy Montero

What: Hailing from the Dominican Republic, Lineisy is one of the freshest faces on the runway. After finishing an amazing season walking for Prada, Balenciaga, Givenchy and Louis Vuitton, Montero graced the cover of Teen Vogue’s August issue.

Where: NEXT Models

Keep up with her: @lineisymontero

A-Z: Black Model Directory
22
Liya Kebede

Who: Liya Kebede

What: This pretty Ethopian pro shifted gears from fashion to philanthropy, starting her fashion label Lem Lem, so it’s a treat to see her in select shows like Emilio Pucci and Proenza Schouler.

Where: IMG

Keep up with her: @liyakebede

A-Z: Black Model Directory
23
Malaika Firth

Who: Malaika Firth

What: Hailing from across the pond and setting a high-bar with Miu Miu, Valentino and Prada as her first shows this pretty young thing is one to watch

Where: New York Model Management

Keep up with her: @malaikafirth

A-Z: Black Model Directory
24
Maria Borges

Who: Maria Borges

What: The 5’11” doe-eyed Angola beauty walked among an international mix of models at Givenchy this season but held her own

Where: Supreme Management

A-Z: Black Model Directory
Getty Images
25
Marihenny Rivera Pasible

Who: Marihenny Rivera Pasible

What: The Dominican beauty, made her first appearance in 2009, taking on thirteen shows in her first season and they’re still piling up with Zac Posen and Jen Kao added to the Spring 2014 list

Where: New York Management

Keep up with her: @marihenny

A-Z: Black Model Directory
Thomas Concordia/WireImage
26
Melodie Monrose

Who: Melodie Monrose

What: Monrose was the show’s golden girl. This bronze beauty sashayed down Ralph Lauren, Zac Posen and Carolina Herrera’s glamorous runways keeping our eyes glued to this Martinican goddess

Where: Women Management

Keep up with her: @melodiemonrose

A-Z: Black Model Directory
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
27
Michelene Auguste

Who: Michelene Auguste

What: Swathed in white eyelet, Michelene Auguste from Trinidad & Tobago, looked every bit of the island girl she is at Catherine Malandrino this season

Where: Muse Model Management

Keep up with her: @micheleneauguste

A-Z: Black Model Directory
Arun Nevader/Getty Images
28
Nykhor Paul

Who: Nykhor Paul

What: When the runway gets monotonous we can rely on Sudanese model Nykhor Paul to mix it up. Her velvety skin, long legs and fabulous full lips was the highlight of the runway.

Where: Red Model Management

A-Z: Black Model Directory
Gettty Images
29
Roberta Narciso

Who: Roberta Narciso

What: The gorgeous Angolan newbie (signed to Elite models) is a force to be reckoned with, showing with all the major fashion players including Zac Posen, Monique Lhuillier and Pamella Roland

Where: The Society Management

Keep up with her: @robertanarciso1

A-Z: Black Model Directory
Courtesy of Tadashi Shoji
30
Senait Gidey

Who: Senait Gidey

What: This Canadian cutie of East African descent is hitting up big league designers like Versace, Gaultier and Givenchy straight out the box

Where: IMG

Keep up with her: @senaitgidey

A-Z: Black Model Directory
31
Sessilee Lopez

Who: Sessilee Lopez

What: This all-American beauty is a Zac Posen favorite, having walked in the designer’s runway show for the past five years taking over with her slender but strong frame

Where: Major Model Management

Keep up with her: @therealsessilee

A-Z: Black Model Directory
Getty Images
32
Sharam Diniz

Who: Sharam Diniz

What: The Angolan/Portugese beauty’s cocoa skin is always a standout

Where: Next Worldwide

Keep up with her: @sharamdiniz

A-Z: Black Model Directory
Getty Images