HISTORY OF THE BLACK SUPERMODEL

Chanel Iman

Chanel started modeling at 12 years old and is most known for the work she has done for Victoria’s Secret. In 2007, Style.com featured her as a rising star, and she has certainly lived up to it.

Jourdan Dunn

With so few African-American models in the industry, Jourdan has been making her mark as one of the standout Black models since her runway debut in 2007.

Sessilee Lopez

Sessilee got her start at age 15 and has since walked for Fendi, Dolce & Gabbana, Jean Paul Gaultier, Karl Lagerfeld, Marc Jacobs, Lanvin, Hermès and several other established fashion houses.

Toccara Jones

As one of the most memorable personalities on the hit show, “America’s Next Top Model,” Toccara has had a successful career as a full-figured model, actress and TV personality.

Liya Kebede

The Ethiopian model was the first Black model for Estée Lauder, and was the first Black model to rank number one on models.com’s official top 50. She is praised most for her charitable work.

Liya Kebede

The Ethiopian model was the first Black model for Estée Lauder, and was the first Black model to rank number one on models.com’s official top 50. She is praised most for her charitable work.

Tyson Beckford

Tyson is the first Black male model to receive supermodel status, and the highest paid male supermodel of all time. He got his big break as the face of Ralph Lauren’s Polo sportswear line.

Beverly Peele

Beverly was one of the well-known Black supermodels of the late 1980s through the 1990s, and was called "Baby Naomi" because of her success.

Veronica Webb

Veronica was the first Black supermodel to land an exclusive contract with a major cosmetics company. She has graced several magazine covers and walked in numerous fashion shows.

Iman Abdulmajid

As a popular Somali-American model, Iman was the muse for many prominent designers in the ’70s. Iman is the face of the cosmetics line that she started in 1994 for ethnic women.

Tyra Banks

As the first Black model on the cover of GQ magazine, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and the Victoria’s Secret Catalog, Tyra is now a media mogul.

Naomi Campbell

Naomi's successful modeling career made her one of the highest paid Black supermodels ever. She became one of the most recognizable and in-demand models of her generation.

Beverly Johnson

Beverly made history as the first Black model to appear on the cover of American Vogue in 1974. Early fame also came from covering French Elle and German Cosmopolitan.

Helen Williams

The elegant Helen Williams had a classic image that was seen mostly in ads geared toward the African-American population, but she was also booked by many mainstream clients.

Donyale Luna

Donyale was the first Black model to be a cover girl and the first model of ethnic origin to appear on Vogue, in March 1966.

Naomi Sims

This beauty was widely acclaimed as the first Black supermodel in the 1960s. Naomi was the first Black model on the cover of Life magazine and Fashion of the Times magazine.