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Home • News

2010: Breakout Models of the Year

Who says that supermodels are a thing of the past? In 2010, a new crop of Black models proved that catwalk queens and pretty posers are bigger and more beautiful than ever. From Dominican diva Rose Cordero (left) to Senegalese stunner Mia Aminata Niara, here are our picks for the breakout models of the year.
By Essence · Updated October 29, 2020
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01
Rose Cordero

18-year-old Rose Cordero is new to modeling, but in 2010 she was downright ubiquitous on the New York, Paris, London and Milan runways—and in March, she landed the coveted cover of Paris Vogue.

2010: Breakout Models of the Year
02
Shena Moulton

This year, 16-year-old Shena Moulton became the third black model in recent history to walk Calvin Klein’s runway, and she posed for the likes of Russian Vogue. ESSENCE loves this Jamaican It-girl!

2010: Breakout Models of the Year
03
Joan Smalls

This year, Puerto Rican supermodel Joan Smalls walked for every major designer in New York, Milan and Paris—and killed it. The cheekbones, the eyes, the skin…whatever “it” is, Smalls has it!

2010: Breakout Models of the Year
04
Sedene Blake

At the Fall 2010 shows, we fell hard for runway newcomer Sedene Blake, a gazelle-like 19-year-old from Jamaica. Signed with New York Model Management, this was her first year at Fashion Week.

2010: Breakout Models of the Year
05
Anais Mali

French stunner Anais Mali signed with Wilhelmina only a year ago, and within months she was working with Vivienne Westwood and J. Crew. We love her corkscrew curls and cinnamon-kissed complexion!

2010: Breakout Models of the Year
06
Georgie Badiel

With her slinky walk and dazzling eyes, this former pagaent queen (Miss Africa, 2005) has become a muse to some of fashion’s biggest names, from House of Holland to Diane von Furstenberg.

2010: Breakout Models of the Year
07
Flaviana Matata

Ralph Lauren’s Fall 2010 collection was as chic as ever, but newcomer Flaviana Matata stole the show. This former Miss Tanzania was one of the most wildly sought after models of the year.

2010: Breakout Models of the Year
08
Melodie Monrose

Not only did the 18-year-old newcomer Melodie Monrose rock Marc Jacob’s runway this year (left), she also walked in almost every major show in New York and Paris. We love her elegant style!

2010: Breakout Models of the Year
09
Lyndsey Scott

New Jersey-born Scott is a catwalk and editorial favorite, walking in shows like Vera Wang, Fendi and Victoria’s Secret; and appearing in high-fashion spreads for Italian Elle and W.

2010: Breakout Models of the Year
10
Chrishelle Stubbs

This 18-year-old Turks and Caicos native was a runway darling this year. With massive corkscrew curls and mile-long limbs, she looks like the love child of Naomi Campbell and Noemi Lenoir!

2010: Breakout Models of the Year
11
Mia Aminata Niara

Born in Senegal, Mia Aminata Niara has walked for Jean Paul Gaultier, Proenza Schouler and Lanvin—-and this versatile, mocha-skinned goddess never looks the same twice.

2010: Breakout Models of the Year