Last Updated on August 28, 2023 by Paola Castillo
Models like Naomi Campbell and Tyra Banks originally paved the (runway. Now, a new generation of top models is making their debut in fashion. Here are a few of our favorite women of color who are gracing magazine covers, working it down the runway, and so much more!
Successful Women of Color In The Fashion Industry
Adut Akech
Winning “Model of the Year” and dominating the covers of five Vogue magazines in 2019, Adut Akech is a woman to look out for. With beauty and glamour at the forefront, sometimes a model’s history can get blurred in the background.
Born on Christmas, this beautiful dame from South Sudan went from a refugee camp in Kenya to growing up in Australia to her first catwalk for Saint Laurent in Paris (all just by the age of 16)! Besides her radiant skin and slender physique, we cannot wait to see more from this fantastic lady.
Yasmin Wijnaldum
At just 17 years old, Yasmin was named the face of Prada’s 2016 spring/summer campaign. She had only walked her first show six months prior. Of South American and European descent, Yasmin is a step in the right direction toward casting a diverse array of faces of color for runway shows. With her tanned skin, mesmerizing blue eyes, and pouty lips, Yasmin is an attractive fashion force.
Winnie Harlow
Winne Harlow first made her appearance on Tyra Banks’ America’s Next Top Model. Since then, she’s made her way into our hearts. Born in Canada and of Jamaican descent, Winnie had to put up with bullying during her childhood. Now she is the first model to walk the Victoria’s Secret Runway with vitiligo, which was always one of her dreams. In addition to that, she never believed she would grace the covers of Vogue, but now she’s already done so twice. That kind of confidence is a true inspiration to us all.
Rihanna
How could we forget about this legend? Rihanna may have started with music. However, over the past few years, she has wholly commanded a new standard for fashion shows. Yes, designers do have the power to diversify the fashion industry. And it’s not often that we see many black women on the runway.
Unfortunately, we still do not see a lot of plus-sized styles or designers in this spectrum. While other designers stayed within safe boundaries, Rihanna did ultimately the opposite by showcasing her collections in all shapes, sizes, and colors. We love that Rihanna ignores society’s beauty standards, which sometimes feel set in stone. By doing so, she is completely changing the game and constantly reminding us that everyone is beautiful!
Final Words…
The fashion industry has been forever transformed by the audacious contributions of these four remarkable women of color. Their unyielding determination, innovative visions, and fearless approaches have shattered barriers and paved the way for a more inclusive and dynamic landscape. To sum up, the fashion industry still has much room to grow. Nevertheless, with these women of color at the forefront, we’re ecstatic that it is moving in the right direction!
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Who was the first black woman in fashion?
Ann Lowe is widely considered the first well-known Black American fashion designer.
How did black culture influence fashion?
Black culture has had an enormous impact on fashion, starting with streetwear. Streetwear is a fashion trend that formed in the 1980s in Black urban neighborhoods and is now used globally.
Who was the first black woman in Vogue?
Beverly Ann Johnson is an American model, actress, singer, and businesswoman who rose to fame when she became the first black model to appear on the cover of American Vogue in 1974.
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Meet Kourtney, a fashion and beauty enthusiast who tells stories through style. To her, clothing is a language, and every accessory adds punctuation to her narrative. Kourtney explores vintage fashion markets on weekends, blending classic with contemporary to create a signature style that reflects her vibrant personality. Beyond aesthetics, she's a passionate advocate for body positivity and inclusivity in fashion, celebrating diversity to ensure everyone feels seen and embraced.
