Oh, the inspirational words of the late Michael Jackson. These lyrics were written back in 1991, during the time of a much more anglocentric modeling world. Lucky for the fashion enthusiasts nowadays our runways and high-fashion campaigns are constantly being filled with sensationally beautiful women of all ethnicities and backgrounds. In fact, a handful of 2009’s current leading ladies are not white.
Let’s take a look at the cover of the most recent issue of i-D Magazine. Who is on the cover? None other than Chanel Iman, Sessilee Lopez, Jourdan Dunn and Arlenis Sosa! Three stunning, powerful black women and another equally gorgeous Dominican top model. i-D is following in the footsteps of Italian Vogue’s “All Black” issue. After 2008’s version sold out in the United States, as well as the United Kingdom in less than 72 hours they were forced to reprint over 60,000 more issues!
Sometimes as consumers of the media we forget that models of all cultures have been hitting the scene as far back as 1967! Naomi Sims hit the catwalk debuting her flawless brown skin and made lasting impressions on viewers for her memorable walk. Sims quickly rose to the top of model rankings and in the height of her career landed the cover of Life Magazine! This was a phenomenal breakthrough for Sims. She is often associated with being the first black supermodel. Sims chose to depart from the industry, leaving behind a potentially lengthy career, to start her own wig business. She has since reached success through writing books and launching her own cosmetic line. Fans were deeply saddened when Sims passed away from cancer in 2000, at the young age of 61.
Naomi Sims may have opened the doors, but stars including Kimora Lee, Veronica Webb, Beverly Johnson, Iman, Naomi Campbell and Tyra Banks continued to set barriers and dominate a still strongly caucasian industry. Kimora’s mother signed her shockingly tall daughter up for modeling classes with the intentions of gaining a higher self-esteem at the age of eleven. Just two years later at 13-years-old, young Kimora signed an exclusive modeling contract with Chanel in Paris. That same year, she began Karl Lagerfeld’s muse. Since modeling hip-hop tyrant Russell Simmons, Kimora has spread her wings throughout the fashion scene and moved from modeling to more of the design side of the business. She has since divorced Simmons; however, still works as the head of Baby Phat and the KLS collection, has her own reality show, and continues to write books. Veronica Webb was discovered in New York City back in 1985. Soon after, she became the first African American model to sign an exclusive contract with Revlon cosmetics. The regal Beverly Johnson was a champion-swimmer-turned model, who appeared on well over 500 top magazine covers. Not to mention, she was the first black woman to grace the cover of the American edition of Vogue. Supermodel Iman Abulmajid was spotted in her home country of Somalia by famed photographer Peter Beard. After he convinced her to come to the United States. The first two jobs the celestial heroine landed were for Vogue and then for leading international designer Yves Saint Laurent. Iman has since moved on from modeling, married legendary rocker David Bowie, became a mother and created IMAN cosmetics, a highly-lucrative makeup line for women of color.
There were models. Supermodels. And then, there was Naomi Campbell. Not until Miss. Campbell did a woman truly embody the full-blown diva personality that was the so-called expected persona of someone of her stature. Campbell reigned supreme during the infamous “supermodel era”. She never allowed other models to outshine her beauty, regardless of their skin color. From the late 80s right into early 90s she appeared on countless magazine covers including Elle (which, she landed at just 15), and brought her fierce runway walk all over the world. Naomi still models on occasion and is currently still signed with the number one agency in the world, IMG models. Only the best, for the best, right?
From Naomi, came Tyra Banks, someone who frequently compared to Campbell when it came to modeling, yet claimed an entirely different label as “the good girl”. Starting out as teen in high school Banks quickly transitioned from high-fashion runways into a more commercial side of work for top companies like Sports Illustrated and Victoria’s Secret. After retiring from the runway, Banks did not venture off too far. She created, produced and currently hosts the highly-successful CW program “America’s Next Top Model”, as well as hosts her very own Emmy-winning talk show the “Tyra Banks Show”.
The path to success for exotic-looking models has been created and constructed by the above moguls, now it is time for talented, unique young women to run rapid and takeover the industry by storm. That is exactly what current supermodels: Jourdan Dunn, Sessilee Lopez, Liya Kebede, Chanel Iman, Alek Wek, Selita Ebanks and Devon Aoki are setting their goal on. These young women have overcame obstacles and landed numerous highly-accredited magazine covers, ad campaigns, cosmetic contracts, booked fashion shows and some have even dabbled into the acting market.
Jourdan Dunn: A British African American 19-year-old with a heart of gold. When she’s not working she enjoys watching EastEnders. She is incredibly intelligent and has no problem speaking her mind about something she feels strongly about. In a recent interview with i-D magazine Dunn said, “There are loads of black models working and the idea that there are only a few of us, or four of us, to let in as top models at any one time is just bullshit.”
Has walked runways for: Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo, Alexander McQueen Hermes, Duro Oluwu, Prada, Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier, Rodarte, Ossie Clark, Matthew Williamson for Pucci, Chanel, Christian Dior, Givenchy, Jason Wu, Oscar de la Renta, Vivienne Westwood, Issa, Giambattista Valli, Barbie, Thakoon, Betty Jackson and Twenty8Twelve.
Campaigns/Magazines: Benetton, Allure, Dazed & Confused, i-D, French Vogue, Vogue, Italian Vogue, Topshop, POP, British Vogue, French Elle, V, Japanese Vogue, Russian Vogue, W, ck by Calvin Klein.
Sessilee Lopez: Known for her full, sensuous pout Sessilee has been linked to hip-hop artist Kanye West (she even appeared in his music video for “Flashing Lights”) and fashion model Wendell Lissimore. She enjoys listen to R&B singer Lauryn Hill and reading her Bible.
Has walked runways for: Daryl K, Vivienne Tam, Zac Posen, Emporio Armani, Karl Lagerfeld, Dries van Notes, Vivienne Westwood, Baby Phat, Peter Som, Imitation of Christ, L.A.M.B, Jean Paul Gaultier, Givenchy, Yeohlee, Tuleh, Christian Lacroix, Badgley Mischka, Christian Soriano, Diane von Furstenberg
Campaigns/Magazines: Benetton (photographed by famed fashion photographer David Sims), Calvin Klein One Fragrance, Italian Vogue, Macy’s, New York Times Style, Adidas, Saks Fifth Avenue, Wonderland, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, Glamour, Elle, Deutch, DKNY, Flair, Nordstrom, Allure, Vibe, V, Muse, i-D, W, New York Magazine, French Revue de Modes, Japanese Vogue.
Liya Kebede: She may not be 18, 19 or even 20; however, since hitting the scene at 27, Liya has more than made her mark on the industry. With a rockin’ body, stunning face and heart of gold, Kebede has managed to keep up with the young ladies of the industry and even used her fame for the greater good. Originally from Ethiopia, this slender beauty was first spotted by a film director while attending school and consequently moved to France to pursue modeling on Parisian turf. After realizing she was the ‘real deal’, Kebede moved to New York City where she has since landed a contract with the world’s leading agency, IMG, and become a favorite of casting directors, fans, agents and photographers.
Has walked runways for: Ralph Lauren, BCBG Max Azria, Tom Ford for Gucci, Victoria’s Secret, Anna Sui, Calvin Klein, Burberry, Fendi, Marni, Chanel, Baby Phat, Oscar de la Renta, Dolce & Gabbana, Balenciaga, Christian Dior, Lanvin, Diane von Furstenberg, Roberto Cavalli, Derek Lam, Aquascutum, Emanuel Ungaro, Armand Basi.
Campaigns/Magazines: Yves Saint Laurent, Harper’s Bazaar, French Vogue, Russian Vogue, Vogue, Tommy Hilfiger, Dolce & Gabbana, Estee Lauder (the first black model to sign a deal with the company), i-D, Tiffany’s, Louis Vuitton, Escada, Balenciaga Numero, Flair, Harpers & Queen, Essence, Spanish Vogue, French Vogue, Ann Taylor, Gap, Givenchy, Lord & Taylor, Japanese Vogue.
Chanel Iman: It’s impossible not to fall in love with her mile-long legs and classic fashion name. At just 19, Chanel is fashion’s most talked about newcomer. Born in Atlanta and raised in California, Iman is of both the African-American and Korean descent just like the legendary Kimora Lee. She’s already a muse for Phillip Lim, Marc Jacobs and Dolce & Gabbana, and claims Tyra Banks as both her mentor and friend.
Has walked runways for: Anna Sui, Derek Lam, Marc Jacobs, Proenza Schouler, Alessandro Dell’Acqua, Valentino, Heatherette, Charles Nolan, Custo Barcelona, JustSweet, Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, Bottega Veneta, Hermes, Yves Saint Laurent, Rock & Republic, Nathan Jenden, Alexis Mabille, Christian Lacroix, Giambattista Valli.
Campaigns/Magazines: New York Times, Vibe, Vogue, Numero, Gap, Ralph Lauren, Teen Vogue, Russian Vogue, i-D, V, Allure, DKNY, Korean Vogue, Time’s fall fashion issue, Pop, Harper’s Bazaar, Flair, V.
Alek Wek: Alek Wek first met the eyes of fashion lovers everywhere when she graced the cover of November’s 1997 issue of Elle. The magazine felt like they were taking a huge risk by choosing to cast a dark-skinned African girl to appear on the cover, which ended up turning out entirely in their favor. The Sudanese model first hit the catwalk back in 1995 at the age of 18 after making the long voyage over to the United States and ultimately escaping the civil war in Sudan. Wek has since experienced remarkable success that has lasted her almost fifteen years!
Has walked runways for: Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier, Ralph Lauren, Dries Van Noten, Lagerfeld, Vivienne Westwood, Valentino, Christian Lacroix, John Galliano, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Rucci Chado, Diane Von Furstenberg, Christian Dior, Aquascutum, Jasper Conran.
Campaigns/Magazines: Elle, i-D, Pirelli calendar, People, German Vogue, Essence, Gap, British Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Jones New York, Vogue, Ebony.
Selita Ebanks: This lovely Caymanian fashion is best known for her work as a Victoria’s Secret Angel. Selita was born and raised in George Town, Grand Cayman in a British Overseas Territory of the Cayman Islands. She was raised side by side with seven brothers in a rather large family. Ebanks grew up in such poverty that she was often sent to school without shoes! Since moving to the United States and being accepted to Spelman College, Columbia University and New York University; however, rather than graduating from any of these schools Ebanks pursued modeling, rather successfully.
Has walked runways for: Victoria’s Secret, Tuleh, Catherine Malandrino, James Coviello, Baby Phat, Sweetface by Jennifer Lopez, Christian Siriano.
Campaigns/Magazines: Ralph Lauren, Abercrombie & Fitch, Levi’s, Tommy Hilfiger, DKNY, Sports Illustrated, People, Esquire, British GQ.
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