10 African Male Models Who Just Made Their Fashion Week Debut

Men’s Fall/Winter 2026 marked a clear turning point for African representation on the global menswear runway. Across Paris Fashion Week, a new generation of African male models made their international debut, stepping into shows that define modern fashion and shape future trends. These were not background appearances.

Each debut carried a story rooted in place, identity, and discovery, proving that African fashion models are not left out in high fashion but are entering the industry with confidence and visibility.

This season stood out because many of these models were discovered outside traditional fashion systems. Some were found on the streets, others through social media, and a few through local modeling scenes that had never before connected directly to Paris. Their debuts reflect how fashion is expanding its lens and recognizing talent beyond familiar borders.

Here are African male models who made their debut at Men’s F/W 2026 shows in Paris, with a closer look at who they are, where they come from, how they were discovered, and the shows that introduced them to the world. 

1

Prince Charles

Prince Charles is Nigerian and was discovered in Port Harcourt. His entry into fashion did not follow a conventional modeling route.

Someone noticed his height and striking features on the street, recorded a short video of him, and shared it online to try to locate him. The video circulated quickly, with people helping to identify and find him. From that moment, his life changed.

Prince charles, nigerian model discovered in portharcourt walks the runway at Louis Vuitton Men's Fall Winter 2026Photo: Instagram/ prixchar

Prince Charles made his Paris Fashion Week debut during Men’s F/W 2026, walking for Louis Vuitton as his very first runway appearance. He also walked for Dior Men, Wooyoungmi, and Maison Mihara Yasuhiro in the same season.

His debut was widely noted for its scale and speed, placing him instantly among the most talked-about new African male models of the season.

2

Prosper Muenya

Prosper Muenya hails from Kenya and entered fashion through local scouting and early exposure to creative communities around him. His height, strong bone structure, and calm demeanor drew attention early on, prompting interest from agencies and runway preparation.

photo of emerging african model Prosper MuenyaPhoto: Instagram/ iam_mayah

He made his Paris Fashion Week debut during Men’s F/W 2026, appearing in the Nahmias Winter 2026 show that emphasized knits and fluid silhouettes. Prosper’s debut positioned him as an African male model capable of carrying fluid collections with ease.

3

Ola Odewole

Ola Odewole, a Nigerian model discovered through grassroots modeling networks and independent creative circles, represents a new wave of African male models in the industry. His look carries a rare balance of softness and edge, a combination that allows him to adapt easily across different design languages and fashion moods.

His runway debut came at Paris Fashion Week Men’s F/W 2026, where he walked for Dior in a show defined by sharp tailoring and modern menswear storytelling. The moment marked more than a personal milestone; it reflected the fashion industry’s increasing appetite for versatile African talent that can move fluidly between classic structure and contemporary expression.

4

Korede Akiode

Korede Akiode’s journey to the global stage began through local scouting and hands-on development, where his natural posture, calm presence, and controlled walk quickly caught attention during fittings and castings. That early foundation became the backbone of his modelling journey, setting him apart as one of the emerging African male models long before Paris entered the picture.

photo of emerging african model Korede AkiodePhoto: Instagram/ koredeakiode

His Paris breakthrough came during Men’s F/W 2026, where he opened the runway for Louis Vuitton, a role that demands focus, confidence, and precise timing. From there, he went on to walk for Solid Homme before closing the fashion week by walking the final look for Wooyoungmi.

Korede’s debut was not just about visibility. It reflected preparation, discipline, and readiness, qualities that define models who succeed at the highest level of the fashion industry.

5

Lammy Ajibola

Lammy Ajibola is a Nigerian model whose journey into fashion began through local modeling development and creative referrals within the industry.

With a calm, controlled runway walk and a polished presence, he quickly stood out as a strong choice for structured, tailored collections, marking an importantrunway debut moment.

photo of emerging African model Lammy AjibolaPhoto: Instagram/ lammyajibola

His appearance during Paris Fashion Week Men’s Fall/Winter 2026 marked a major milestone. Walking in the Prada show, the African male model brought focus to elegance, flow, and precise movement. His debut highlighted a softer, more fluid direction in modern menswear, reinforcing the growing visibility of African male models on global runways.

6

Precious Andatami

Precious Andatami made a compelling runway debut at the Mihara Yasuhiro Men’s F/W 2026 show in Paris. Discovered through a combination of social media and agency scouting, the African male model captivated with his confident, youthful presence and unique ability to embody contemporary fashion narratives.

photo of emerging african model Precious AndatamiPhoto: Instagram/ precious1ware

His Paris debut, featuring modern silhouettes and dynamic energy, immediately signaled his strong crossover potential from the runway to major fashion campaigns.

7

Andy Mactom

photo of emerging African model Andy MactomPhoto: Getty Images

With a piercing gaze and sharp features that command the runway, Andy Mactom made a powerful runway debut at Men’s F/W 2026 in Paris. Walking in shows defined by bold themes and dramatic presentation, the African male model’s compelling presence added significant emotional depth to each collection.

8

Maya Cisse

Discovered through local modeling scenes and honed by gradual development, Maya Cisse stood out in castings with his calm energy and controlled movement.

photo of emerging African model Maya CissePhoto: Instagram/maya__cisse69

This subtle power defined his remarkable runway debut at Paris Fashion Week Men’s F/W 2026, where the African male model walked for Prada, Dior, Dries Van Noten, and Ernest W. Baker; all designers who valued subtlety and mood. His presence demonstrated the undeniable impact of restraint on the runway. 

9

Joachim Matthew

Joachim Matthew, discovered via early fashion scouting, has a timeless versatility that prepared him for his critical runway debut. 

photo of emerging African model Joachim MatthewPhoto: Instagram/ joachimmatthew

At Paris Fashion Week Men’s F/W 2026, the African male model commanded the runway for Prada and sacai, emphasizing their distinct aesthetics of clean lines and strong silhouettes.

10

Ezekiel Oladipo

Of Nigerian origin, Ezekiel Oladipo was discovered through local modeling platforms and creative referrals, his quiet confidence and steady walk marking him during preparatory work.

His runway debut was a standout moment at Paris Fashion Week Men’s F/W 2026, where he walked for Dior, mastering a required presence without excess. This debut powerfully reinforced the growing influence of African male models on the global stage.

Ezekiel Oladipo walking the runway for Paris Fashion Week - Fashion Police NigeriaPhoto: Model.

Men’s Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2026 did more than introduce new collections. It introduced African male models whose stories reflect discovery, preparation, and global recognition.

These African male models’ debuts were not symbolic gestures. They were earned moments, marking a season where African talent stepped firmly into the center of Paris fashion history.

Photo Courtesy

Esther Ejoh
Esther Ejoh

Esther Ejoh is a Fashion Editor at Fashion Police Nigeria, where she writes all things fashion, beauty, and celebrity style, with a sharp eye and an even sharper pen. She’s the girl who’ll break down a Met Gala look one minute, rave about a Nigerian beauty brand the next, and still find time to binge a movie or get lost in a novel. Style, storytelling, and self-care? That’s her holy trinity.

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