Before the 2000s, only a few black faces were gracing the covers of fashion magazines and strutting popular runways. Models like Beverly Johnson, Naomi Campbell, Iman, and Tyra Banks were the prominent black names ruling the fashion industry and setting the pace for the future of black models.
In recent seasons, we have witnessed a great rise in black models and how they are taking the modeling industry by storm. People have even argued that the continued advocacy by change-makers, as well as the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement, has helped shape the fashion industry into embracing more African models, or at least trying to be more diverse and inclusive.
It’s been a long time coming, and we are glad black models can now live their dreams of becoming supermodels despite their skin color. So, in this post, we are spotlighting those models who are yet to get your attention and models who have broken into the modeling world and have slowly begun to make their mark. Whether on the catwalk or the street, they need to be seen and cheered on — because black is beautiful.
Ahead, keep reading for the 26 African international models we can’t wait to see in the coming fashion weeks.
1. Victoria Fawole
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Victoria Fawole is certainly a face to watch for. She broke into the international modeling scene in the early phase of 2021, and before the end of the year, she was already everywhere on the catwalk. So far, Fawole has walked for prestigious labels such as Prada, Saint Laurent, Miu Miu, Raf Simons, Stella McCartney, Isabel Marant, Hermes, and Max Mara, just to name a few.
The Nigerian native who was discovered through Anani Model Management has also been featured in many campaigns, further proving what the future holds for the short-haired model.
2. Achenrin Madit
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In 2020, Achenrin Madit became the face of fashion’s future for Stella McCartney, a part of a rising generation promoting inclusivity, diversity, and sustainability in fashion.
Having made the list of S/S 2020 Top Newcomers on models.com, the American model born to South Sudanese parents took the fashion industry by storm and further earned herself various magazine covers, including British Vogue, Dazed, Interview Magazine, and Numéro France. So if you think she’s already up there, just continue keeping an eye.
3. Rosalie Ndour
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Coming all the way from Senegal, Rosalie Ndour has taken her elegant strut across the catwalks of Max Mara, Emporio Armani, Philip Plein, Elisabetta Franchi, Dolce & Gabbana, and the rest. As one who is based in Milan, she has a huge potential in the fashion industry if she’s willing to forge ahead with her modeling career this year.
4. Hakima Athuai
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Growing up in a place like South Sudan, where dreams are something far from reality, Hakima never knew she’d one day walk the catwalk surrounded by public figures, but since hitting the modeling jackpot in 2019, she’s appeared in quite a number of shows, including Givenchy, Thom Browne, Rick Owens, GCDS, proving the black girl magic.
With the coming Fashion Week shows lined up for 2022, Hakima’s definitely one of the faces to take note of.
5. Amar Akway
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She was among the eight black models that recently graced the cover of British Vogue, which the editor-in-chief, Edward Enninful, aptly described as “vivacious and smart.”
The Ethiopian beauty has been seen across many catwalks since her debut during the spring/summer 2020 shows, and it’s that same energy that’s keeping the model winning more magazine frontpage covers.
6. Maty Fall
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There’s no fashion week without Maty Fall. She is always and literally everywhere on the catwalk, and as per British Vogue, Maty scored a whopping 37 appearances during the spring/summer 2021 fashion week, so you can see why the Senegalese and Italy-based model should be on everyone’s radar for the coming fashion weeks.
7. Christie Munezero
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Having been modeling for small brands in her home country, Rwanda, under Webest Model Management, Christie Munezero brought her commanding looks to the catwalk in 2020 for Maison Margiela, marking the leggy model her first international runway debut.
Although her father was not supportive of her modeling career, she was able to convince him, and today, the slender beauty is up there in the modeling sky doing what she loves best.
8. Eniola Abioro
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Eniola Abioro went from being a Kindergarten teacher to becoming a runway stunner. As of 2018, when she was very new, the Nigerian international model was also a fashion favorite, walking for prestigious labels such as Prada, Loewe, Miu Miu, and Off-White.
She was scouted by FeW Models while participating in the first edition of FeW’s Next Face Africa and is currently with a long list of international modeling agencies, including Uno models, Next Models, and Modelwerk. Just keep an eye on the model for her more magazine covers, campaigns, and fashion week shows.
9. Ayobami Okekunle
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At first sight, Ayobami Okekunle was already a star in the eyes of Bolajo Fawehinmi, the founder of FeW Models Agency, who first spotted her on social media in 2017.
She was later signed by IMG Models after Fawehinmi’s recommendation, and fast-forwarding to today, the Nigerian-born model has landed herself in countless campaigns and fashion shows for major brands, making her one of the faces to be on your watchlist.
10. Rosalie Ndour
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One of Senegal’s gifts to the modeling industry, Rosalie Ndour, sent a shock wave through the industry with her fierce facial features. Worthy of note is her ability to blend into different fashion settings and pull off looks like a natural stunner.
Although Ndour won an international modeling competition in 2016, it was in 2019 that she broke into the international modeling scene. The Italian-based Sudanese model has since walked the runway for major designers like Dolce and Gabbana, Yuimanakazato, Vionnet, and Stella Jean.
11. Anok Yai
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We already know Anok Yai, the second black model after Naomi Campbell to open for major Haute couture brand Prada. This model has gone down in history, and she’s still breaking bounds in the modeling industry. From a viral internet photo to gracing Vogue covers and catwalking on global runways.
Anok Yai has been listed among the top 50 models; she’s definitely not ready to put the pedal on her career. She’s definitely one to watch out for in the fashion space this year.
12. Majesty Amare
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This Ethiopian beauty, who recently graced the cover of Vogue magazine, has been leaving her footprints in the modeling industry confidently.
To be recognized by Edward Enninful as vivacious and smart is very telling of the Ethiopian model’s rise in the industry. Need we say more? British Vogue February issue 2022 says it all.
13. Abény Nhial
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South-Sudanese Australian model, Abeny Nhial, debuted in 2020 under the mother agency Que Models. She has strutted the runway for many Australian brands, and recently she killed it at Paris Fashion Week.
For someone who had no plans whatsoever to become a model, the Australian-based model is killing the modeling game. She’s definitely one of the faces we should watch out for this year.
14. Janet Jumbo
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In 2016, Nigerian beauty Janet Jumbo made history as the first Nigerian to walk for renowned fashion brand Louis Vuitton. The IMG supermodel began her career in Lagos, Nigeria, with Raw Model Management after she was scouted on her way back from church.
Her career has since spiraled upwards, and it’s obvious there’s no stopping her. After making history in 2019, the now 19-year-old model is set to strut the runway this fashion week season. We definitely have our eyes on her for the year.
15. Akon Changkou
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Debuting fashion week with exclusive walks for Louis Vuitton, you should already know that Akon is someone to watch out for. The Australian-based South Sudanese model left all that she knew and decided to give modeling a try in 2016.
Fast forward to the present, and she has appeared on the cover of Vogue and walked for major fashion brands like Dior and Jacquemus. The stunning black queen should definitely be on your 2022 models watchlist.
16. Eya Mariam
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25-year-old Eya Mariam Diawara broke into the modeling industry with her distinctive facial features. She has walked the runway for Louis Vuitton and Mason Valentino, and she has also appeared on the cover of Vogue countless times, representing different brands.
The Gabonese model started her runway modeling career after being discovered by Nigerian agency Anani Models. Her features have made her sought after among the industry’s best names, so watch out for her face as we enter a new fashion season.
17. Ololade Ibrahim
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Nigerian supermodel in the making, Ololade Ibrahim, began her rise in the international modeling scene around September 2017.
She broke the record as the first Nigerian model to walk the runway for both Emporio Armani and Georgio Armani in the same season. She has added names like Adidas, Off-White, and Victoria Beckham to her portfolio. We definitely expect to see her gracing the covers of magazines and strutting major runways this season.
18. Nyarach Abouch Ayuel
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Another one of South Susan’s gifts to the fashion industry, this stunner broke into the modeling scene when Nigerian-owned Isis Model Agency scouted her.
From the refugee camp to Vogue covers and unforgettable runway shows, the model has made her mark in the industry. She’s currently one of the top black models in the industry, and we can’t wait to see her kill it again this year.
19. Nyagua Ruea
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Sudanese model Nyagua Ruea started her career under the wings of one of Africa’s top modeling agencies, Beth Models Nigeria. She has climbed up the ladder since her debut in 2019; that same year, she walked for Valentino and Balenciaga.
The model is an advocate for models of color and uses her platform to push for equality in the industry. We would be seeing more of her on the runways this season.
20. Abidemi Oguntuase
Photo: Getty Images Slowly making her rise to the top in the industry, Nigerian model Abidemi Oguntuase has proven that she’s passionate about her struts. She made a great impression on many scouting agents and has since walked for Moohong, Noir Kei, and the Y Project. We can’t wait to see where she staffs this season.
21. Tobi Momoh
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Nigerian models are taking the modeling industry by storm, and we love to see it happening. Tobi Momoh joined the ranks of Nigerians in the international modeling industry after winning a major modeling competition in Nigeria.
The Elite Model Look winner is represented by Wilhelmina New York, Paris 360, Select Model Management, and her mother agency, Beth Models Africa. She closed 2021 with a bang, walking for Kate Moss, Yoji Yamamoto, and Rick Owens. It’s a certainty that she would be gracing covers and runways this year. Just keep your eyes peeled.
22. Tolulope Soetan
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A true depiction of the quote “Never give up”, Tolulope went from being rejected at a FeW Models casting call for their yearly competition to being signed by the agency later that year. After attending the agency’s Casting Call, she didn’t make it to the final stage, but giving up was not an option.
After working and building herself more, she built courage and later walked into the agency in 2018. That walk-in was the beginning of her modeling career. Today, Soetan is signed to IMG Models and Francina, with FeW as her mother agency, of course. Recently, she has walked for Christopher Kane, Saint Laurent, and the Y/Project, and we can’t wait to see her strut this season.
23. Amal Tobi
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Scouted by Joan Okorodudu of Isis Models Nigeria, Amal Tobi began her career around 2018. That same year, she walked the runway for Miu Miu, Off-White, and Red Valentino, amongst others. Her rise in the industry has been slow and steady, but she’s fast becoming a major face to look out for.
24. Chizoba Emmanuel
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Bottega Veneta, Dior, Max Mara, and Loewe are only a few of the big names Nigerian model Chizoba Emmanuel has worked with since her debut.
Her fierceness and charming personality, which reflect in the way she struts, have slowly made her an industry favorite. She has already opened the year with a stunning Harpers Bazaar cover; she’s definitely one to watch out for this year.
25. Adit Ajhok Deng
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With major modeling agencies like Storm Models, Whynotmodels, Jorammodel Management, and Premium Models, amongst others, representing this stunner, you should already know she’s an industry hot cake.
Since her discovery in 2018, the South Sudanese model has opened for Blumarine, modeled for Zara, walked for Fendi, and covered Daze magazine. This year, you can expect her to break out even more in the fashion scene; she’s definitely a face to watch out for.
26. Precious Kevin
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Growing up in the rural area of Lagos, Nigeria, this beauty didn’t know her rise to fame in the modeling industry would come so easily. She was scouted on the street on a hot Sunday afternoon by former Nigerian beauty queen Aishat Bello, and since then, she’s been breaking boundaries.
Fast forward to 2022, and she has walked for Prada, Valentino, and JW Anderson, among others. She sure would be striding down the runway this season. We are excited to see the brands she’ll be representing.
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Your number #1 fashion obsessed guy. Ubong Richmond is a fashion editor with Fashion Police NG - one who derive joy monitoring and spotting new trends. You will also find me stalking celebrity wardrobes and fashion brands that are about to blow-up.
