Tribute: The Black Supermodel

Tyson Beckford
Noemie Lenoir

Selita Ebanks

Naomi Campbell

Tyra Banks

Iman

Chanel Iman

Beverly Johnson

Naomi Sims

Alek Wek

Veronica Webb

Liya Kebede

These poeple are phenomenal! They've done so much for the world of fashion and for the self image and esteem of young black girls (and boys) everywhere. From the lighter skins to the very dark, these supermodels have highlighted and displayed different facets of 'black beauty' and are a force to be reckoned with in fashion. Obviously there aren't nearly enough black faces out there but every few years more and more stunners are discovered and are blazing their own trails that are incredible to watch.

For me the super models that have made an impact on me are:

Tyson Beckford- THE male supermodel. Best known for his work at Ralph Lauren. Who almost single-handedly put male models on the map. Has featured on tons of catwalks and music videos.

Noemie Lenoir-Has worked with huge brands like L'Oreal and Victoria's Secret. And featured in many movies and music videos.

Selita Ebanks- Is the HBIC at the Victoria's Secret empire. She has also featured as 'the fallen phoenix' in Kanye West's 'Runaway'.

Naomi Campbell- an absolute powerhouse. She's the highest paid black supermodel of all time and was the first black woman on the cover of French Vogue. At 41 she still commands the catwalk.

Tyra Banks- She was the first black model on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimwear Edition, GQ and the Victoria's Secret catalog. She is now an extremely successful businesswoman and TV personality.

Iman-She was a muse for many great designers including Gianni Versace, Calvin Klein and Yves Saint-Laurent. She founded 'Iman Cosmetics' focusing on shades for ethnic women. She is also a philanthropist.

Chanel Iman- She's on many runways and magazine covers. She also became a Victoria's Secret Angel in 2010.

Beverly Johnson- She was the first black supermodel on the covers of US Vogue, French Elle and German Cosmopolitan. She's also done a lot of TV work.

Naomi Sims- Often lauded as the first black supermodel ever in the late 1960s. Her Life Magazine cover (1969) was exhibited by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Sadly she succumbed to breast cancer in 2009.

Alek Wek- Sudanese-born super power who has walked the runway for Chanel, Donna Karan and Christian Lacroix (amongst others). She now designs handbags called 'Wek 1933'.

Veronica Webb- She is the first black woman to sign a major contract with a cosmetics house (Revlon, 1992). She's graced many a runway and magazine cover and done feature films

Liya Kebede- She is the first back supermodel to be the face of Estee Lauder. She has appeared 3 times on the cover of US Vogue. She's a phenomenal model, actress, businesswoman, designer and philanthropist.

Obsessed with the Black Supermodels

x Bisous x