Black Models Take Center Stage

See photos of Tyra | Tyson and other Black models.

Beverly Johnson - Beverly Johnson rose to fame as the first African-American cover model of the American <i>Vogue</i> in August 1974. To this day, she remains an original and working supermodel still commanding as much as six figures a day.

1 / 16

Beverly Johnson - Beverly Johnson rose to fame as the first African-American cover model of the American <i>Vogue</i> in August 1974. To this day, she remains an original and working supermodel still commanding as much as six figures a day.

Iman - Born in Somalia, legendary supermodel Iman started her career in fashion in 1975. She has worked for several designers and companies, and as an actress in several films. Today, Iman is CEO of her own line of fragrances, cosmetics and skincare.

2 / 16

Iman - Born in Somalia, legendary supermodel Iman started her career in fashion in 1975. She has worked for several designers and companies, and as an actress in several films. Today, Iman is CEO of her own line of fragrances, cosmetics and skincare.

Naomi Campbell - At 38, Naomi Campbell has graced covers of international &lt;i&gt;Vogue&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Time,&lt;/i&gt; being the first African American model to do so. The British supermodel has appeared on over 500 magazine covers, and still continues to work as a living legend in the fashion industry. She has also made appearances in several music videos for Michael Jackson, Prince and other artists.

3 / 16

Naomi Campbell - At 38, Naomi Campbell has graced covers of international <i>Vogue</i> and <i>Time,</i> being the first African American model to do so. The British supermodel has appeared on over 500 magazine covers, and still continues to work as a living legend in the fashion industry. She has also made appearances in several music videos for Michael Jackson, Prince and other artists.

Tyra Banks - This supermodel has made her mark in the fashion and entertainment industries. Creator of &lt;i&gt;“America’s Next Top Model,”&lt;/i&gt; Tyra Banks started her modeling career working in countries such as Milan and Tokyo, but she's best known as a Victoria’s Secret Angel and the first Black model to be on the cover of the catalogue. After retiring in 2005, she dedicated herself to her talk show.

4 / 16

Tyra Banks - This supermodel has made her mark in the fashion and entertainment industries. Creator of <i>“America’s Next Top Model,”</i> Tyra Banks started her modeling career working in countries such as Milan and Tokyo, but she's best known as a Victoria’s Secret Angel and the first Black model to be on the cover of the catalogue. After retiring in 2005, she dedicated herself to her talk show.

Tyson Beckford - Sexy male supermodel Tyson Beckford stole the spotlight as the face of Ralph Lauren's Polo line. He was also named Man of the Year in 1995 by VH1 and featured as one of “50 Most Beautiful People in the World” by &lt;i&gt;People&lt;/i&gt; magazine.

5 / 16

Tyson Beckford - Sexy male supermodel Tyson Beckford stole the spotlight as the face of Ralph Lauren's Polo line. He was also named Man of the Year in 1995 by VH1 and featured as one of “50 Most Beautiful People in the World” by <i>People</i> magazine.

ADVERTISEMENT
Liya Kebede - Ethiopean model Liya Kebede has done work around the world, from French to Japan. She was listed in the &lt;i&gt;Forbes&lt;/i&gt; Top 15 Models as the eleventh highest paid model in 2007. She has been seen on covers of French, Spanish, and Japanese &lt;i&gt;Vogue&lt;/i&gt; magazines, and has worked for several designers and companies such as Revlon and Louis Vutton.

6 / 16

Liya Kebede - Ethiopean model Liya Kebede has done work around the world, from French to Japan. She was listed in the <i>Forbes</i> Top 15 Models as the eleventh highest paid model in 2007. She has been seen on covers of French, Spanish, and Japanese <i>Vogue</i> magazines, and has worked for several designers and companies such as Revlon and Louis Vutton.

Kimora Lee - Before taking over the Baby Phat empire, Kimora Lee had a successful modeling career. Japanese and African American descent, Kimora was awarded a contract with Chanel and had the opportunity to work under Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld. At the age of 14, Kimora Lee walked in the Chanel show and was named a muse for Lagerfeld. Today, she continues to dominate the world of fashion.

7 / 16

Kimora Lee - Before taking over the Baby Phat empire, Kimora Lee had a successful modeling career. Japanese and African American descent, Kimora was awarded a contract with Chanel and had the opportunity to work under Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld. At the age of 14, Kimora Lee walked in the Chanel show and was named a muse for Lagerfeld. Today, she continues to dominate the world of fashion.

Jessica White - She's the first African American model to hold two model contracts - CoverGirl and Maybelline. She has walked the runway for Ralph Lauren and Marc Jacobs, just to name a few, and has appeared in &lt;i&gt;King&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Harper’s Bazaar&lt;/i&gt; magazine, as well as music videos. Jessica White can be seen in John Legend’s “So High,&quot; and Jay-Z’s “Change Clothes.”

8 / 16

Jessica White - She's the first African American model to hold two model contracts - CoverGirl and Maybelline. She has walked the runway for Ralph Lauren and Marc Jacobs, just to name a few, and has appeared in <i>King</i>, <i>Harper’s Bazaar</i> magazine, as well as music videos. Jessica White can be seen in John Legend’s “So High," and Jay-Z’s “Change Clothes.”

Alek Wek - Named “Model of the Year” by MTV in 1997, Sudenese model Alek Wek is popping up everywhere. The Ford model appeared in Janet Jackson’s video “Got Til It’s Gone,” and has modeled for top designers such as Donna Karen, Victoria’s Secret and Calvin Klein. She also has her own line of handbags, called “Alek 1933.”

9 / 16

Alek Wek - Named “Model of the Year” by MTV in 1997, Sudenese model Alek Wek is popping up everywhere. The Ford model appeared in Janet Jackson’s video “Got Til It’s Gone,” and has modeled for top designers such as Donna Karen, Victoria’s Secret and Calvin Klein. She also has her own line of handbags, called “Alek 1933.”

Selita Ebanks - Cayman Islands model Selita Ebanks, known for her work as a Victoria’s Secret Angel, has worked for campaigns such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Tommy Hilfiger and other American fashion companies. In 2007, she was chosen to wear the $4.5 million dollar Very Sexy Holiday Fantasy Bra Set for the Victoria’s Secret fashion show and December 2007 catalogue.

10 / 16

Selita Ebanks - Cayman Islands model Selita Ebanks, known for her work as a Victoria’s Secret Angel, has worked for campaigns such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Tommy Hilfiger and other American fashion companies. In 2007, she was chosen to wear the $4.5 million dollar Very Sexy Holiday Fantasy Bra Set for the Victoria’s Secret fashion show and December 2007 catalogue.

ADVERTISEMENT
Oluchi Onweagba - Supermodel Oluchi Onweagba has worked the covers of &lt;i&gt;Elle, i-D&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Vogue&lt;/i&gt;. She was also the face of several campaigns such as Gap, Banana Republic and Express, and has walked runways for Christian Dior and Giorgio Armani. Today, she's best known as the first Nigerian model to be signed as one of the Victoria’s Secret Angels.

11 / 16

Oluchi Onweagba - Supermodel Oluchi Onweagba has worked the covers of <i>Elle, i-D</i> and <i>Vogue</i>. She was also the face of several campaigns such as Gap, Banana Republic and Express, and has walked runways for Christian Dior and Giorgio Armani. Today, she's best known as the first Nigerian model to be signed as one of the Victoria’s Secret Angels.

Chanel Iman - Still a teen, Chanel Iman has been hitting the runway hard. She first walked the catwalk in 2006 for DKNY. Since then, she has appeared in shows for Marc Jacobs, Dolce & Gabbana, Vera Wang and many other high-end fashion designers.

12 / 16

Chanel Iman - Still a teen, Chanel Iman has been hitting the runway hard. She first walked the catwalk in 2006 for DKNY. Since then, she has appeared in shows for Marc Jacobs, Dolce & Gabbana, Vera Wang and many other high-end fashion designers.

Sessilee Lopez - American supermodel Sessilee Lopez has graced the pages of national and international magazines such as &lt;i&gt;Essence, Harper’s Bazaar, Italian Vogue,&lt;/i&gt; and many other high-profile mags. At 21 years old, she has walked in runway shows across the globe, including Emperio Armani, Baby Phat and Kenneth Cole.

13 / 16

Sessilee Lopez - American supermodel Sessilee Lopez has graced the pages of national and international magazines such as <i>Essence, Harper’s Bazaar, Italian Vogue,</i> and many other high-profile mags. At 21 years old, she has walked in runway shows across the globe, including Emperio Armani, Baby Phat and Kenneth Cole.

Ajuma Nasenyana - Born in Kenya, Ajuma Nasenyana has shared the catwalk with divas such as Naomi Campbell and Alek Wek. She was featured as a Victoria Secret Model in 2006 and has modeled for several other designers, such as Baby Phat.

14 / 16

Ajuma Nasenyana - Born in Kenya, Ajuma Nasenyana has shared the catwalk with divas such as Naomi Campbell and Alek Wek. She was featured as a Victoria Secret Model in 2006 and has modeled for several other designers, such as Baby Phat.

Yasmin Warsame - Canadian supermodel Yasmin Warsame has worked several couture and other high fashion runways, including campaigns for Escada, H&M, Gap, Valentino Couture and many others. She is currently working as a judge on &lt;i&gt;&quot;Canada's Next Top Model&quot;&lt;/i&gt; reality show.

15 / 16

Yasmin Warsame - Canadian supermodel Yasmin Warsame has worked several couture and other high fashion runways, including campaigns for Escada, H&M, Gap, Valentino Couture and many others. She is currently working as a judge on <i>"Canada's Next Top Model"</i> reality show.

Eva Pigford - Eva Pigford, who now goes by Eva Marcille, is known for her win as &lt;i&gt;America’s Next Top Model,&lt;/i&gt; being the first African American to win the contest. Her prize - a contract with Covergirl Cosmetics and a spread in &lt;i&gt;Elle&lt;/i&gt; magazine. She later signed a modeling conract with Ford models, working with lines such as Red by Marc Ecko, DKNY and more.

16 / 16

Eva Pigford - Eva Pigford, who now goes by Eva Marcille, is known for her win as <i>America’s Next Top Model,</i> being the first African American to win the contest. Her prize - a contract with Covergirl Cosmetics and a spread in <i>Elle</i> magazine. She later signed a modeling conract with Ford models, working with lines such as Red by Marc Ecko, DKNY and more.