When it comes to breaking barriers and challenging beauty standards, Black plus-size models lead the way. Their confidence and advocacy inspires countless people around the world. These extraordinary women are not just models but trailblazers, tearing down longstanding stereotypes and rigid beauty standards. Through their perseverance and vibrant spirit, they grace covers and runways and create meaningful conversations around representation and self-acceptance. Their influence transcends beyond glossy pages.
Here is a list of plus size African models who are making waves in the fashion industry:
- Sabina Karlsson - Afro-Swedish plus size model.
- Enam Asiama is a remarkable plus-size model, captivating many with her enchanting smile. Identifying as a “fat queer Black woman,” Enam doesn’t merely support plus-size women of color; she empowers them to shape their own stories.
- Candice Sabiduria Walton stands as a beacon of inspiration in the realm of African-American plus-size models. After her initial foray into the industry, Walton prioritized her education.
- Tash Ncube is a dynamic blend of academia and fashion. As a black plus-size model and law student in New York, her journey has been nothing short of impressive.
- Precious Lee is more than just a model; she’s a symbol of change and empowerment. Hailing from Atlanta, she rose to global recognition as the first black, curvy model to grace the pages of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Edition. But her impact doesn’t end there. Precious continuously challenges and reshapes conventional beauty standards with a radiant personality and fierce confidence.
- As one of the leading voices in the modeling industry, Philomena Kwao stands out for her captivating beauty and unwavering advocacy. This British-born model has consistently championed greater diversity and inclusivity within fashion. Beyond her runway and editorial accomplishments, Philomena uses her influential platform to address broader societal issues, emphasizing the need for representation and authentic portrayal of diverse body types.
This is a list of other African and African-descent models who have significantly impacted the fashion world:
- Adesuwa Aighewi - African-American model of Chinese and Nigerian descent.
- Karen Alexander - African-American fashion model and actress.
- Alanna Arrington - African-American (biracial) model who has been on the cover of Maxim and Elle U.K.
- Tyra Banks - first African-American to grace the covers of GQ and the Sports Illustrated's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and become a Victoria's Secret Angel.
- Tyson Beckford - top male model of the 1990s and 2000s, actor and host of Bravo's Make Me a Supermodel. Tyson Beckford, chosen by music cable network Vh1 as "Man of the Year" in 1995.
- Minah Ogbenyealu Bird - Nigerian model and actress active in the UK in the 1970s.
- Maria Borges - Angolan model who booked 17 shows during her first season since being discovered back in 2012. Borges has since walked for Dior and Givenchy, even referring to the fashion house's Creative Director Riccardo Tisci as her "godfather".
- Cindy Bruna - French model of Congolese and Italian descent, who has appeared on the runways of DVF, Ralph Lauren, and Donna Karan.
- Dorothea Church - African-American pioneering model.
- Yaya DaCosta - African-American actress and fashion model.
- Agbani Darego - Nigerian model and winner of Miss World competition 2001.
- Bruce Darnell - American model who modeled for Calvin Klein, Hermès, Issey Miyake and Kenzo.
- Ebonee Davis - African-American model who was a finalist on America’s Next Top Model.
- Waris Dirie - Somalian model active in the late '80s and early '90s who is also an activist against female circumcision.She appeared in the Pirelli Calendar with a sixteen year old Naomi Campbell.
- Jourdan Dunn - British model of Jamaican descent, who has walked for major runways like Prada and Chanel and landing a solo cover of British Vogue - first black model in 12 years to do so.
- Selita Ebanks - former Victoria's Secret Angel.
- Paloma Elsesser - British-born African-American model, also of Chilean and Swiss descent.
- Danielle Evans - winner of America's Next Top Model, Cycle 6'.
- Tomiko Fraser - African-American fashion model and actress.
- Malaika Firth - Kenyan model from London.
- Quiana Grant - African-American model. Also appeared in commercial shoots for Nick Knight, Ebony, Sprite. Chosen as one of BBC's 100 Women.
- Tanisha Harper - African-American model, actress and television host.
- Ubah Hassan - Somalian-Canadian model and business woman who started her long career with a Ralph Lauren campaign. Then she worked with the best designers/photographers.
- Chanel Iman - Korean/African-American who has modeled Dolce & Gabbana, Issey Miyake, Kenzo, Marc Jacobs, Valentino, Bottega Veneta, DSquared², Hermès, Moschino, Oscar de la Renta, Jean Paul Gaultier and Stella McCartney.
- Beverly Johnson - first African-American to grace the covers of American Vogue (August 1974 issue) and French Elle (1975).
- Kidada Jones - African-American actress, model, and fashion designer.
- Toccara Jones - African-American fashion model and occasional actress and television personality. Contestant on the third season of the UPN series America's Next Top Model.
- Kiara Kabukuru - American fashion model of Ugandan descent who has appeared in ads for Gucci and CoverGirl cosmetics.
- Liya Kebede - Ethiopian-born model, maternal health advocate, clothing designer and actress.
- Jayne Kennedy - American television personality, actress, model, corporate spokeswoman, producer, writer, public speaker, philanthropist, beauty pageant titleholder and sports broadcaster.
- Kenya Kinski-Jones - American model and daughter of musician Quincy Jones and German model-actress Nastassja Kinski.
- Subah Koj - Australian model of Sudanese descent.
- Shakara Ledard - model and actress, originally from The Bahamas.
- Elizabeth and Victoria Lejonhjärta - Swedish twin models of Gambian, Senegalese, and Sápmi descent.
- Noémie Lenoir - French model of Malagasy descent who has appeared in ads for L'Oréal, Gap, and other well-known companies.
- Donyale Luna - American fashion model of the 1960s and early 1970s.
- Anais Mali - French model of Chadian and Polish heritage. Walked for Marc Jacobs, Vera Wang, Derek Lam, Vivienne Westwood, Cynthia Rowley, Carolina Herrera.
- Mayowa Nicholas - A model who won Nigeria's round of Elite Model Look back in 2014, but Fall 2016 was her breakout season.
- Munachi Nwankwo - Nigerian model and hip-hop artist.
- Gail O'Neill - African-American fashion model who has become a television journalist. Appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
- Oluchi Onweagba - Nigerian model and winner of M-NET/Nokia 'Face of Africa' competition 1998.
- Emanuela de Paula - Brazilian top model, who ranked the 11th highest paid supermodel for 2009, earning $2.5 million according to Forbes.
- Lais Ribeiro - Brazilian model. In 2009, she started modelling locally and shortly afterwards walked the major international catwalks for such designers as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, and Marc Jacobs.
- Georgianna Robertson - Jamaican model in the 1990s. Cover of Vogue Paris, 1996, and appeared in editorials for ELLE, Town & Country.
- Fatima Siad - The Somalian-American started her model career in American Next Top Model Cycle 10, she didn't win but she worked immediately in the industry.
- Kimora Lee Simmons - American fashion model, author, and former president and Creative Director for Phat Fashions.
- Naomi Sims - model of the late 1960s and 1970s. The first African-American model to appear on the cover of Ladies Home Journal and Life Magazine in the 1960s.
- B. Smith - Pennsylvania native began her career with the Ebony Fashion Show and went on to grace the cover of Mademoiselle in July 1976.
- Toukie Smith - African-American actress and model.
- Duckie Thot - Australian model of Sudanese descent.
- Louise Vyent - Dutch-born model popular in the 1990s. Featured in the 1990 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
- Eugena Washington - African-American model who was 2017’s Playboy Playmate of the Year.
- Ari Westphal - Brazilian model of African, Italian, and German descent.
- Roshumba Williams - African-American model, actress, television host, and correspondent and reality show judge.
- Kara Young - California-born model popular in the 1990s.
- J. Alexander - model, runway coach and America's Next Top Model judge.
| Model Name | Origin | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Tyra Banks | African-American | First African-American on GQ and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue covers, Victoria's Secret Angel |
| Beverly Johnson | African-American | First African-American on American Vogue and French Elle covers |
| Maria Borges | Angolan | Walked for Dior and Givenchy |
| Jourdan Dunn | British (Jamaican descent) | First black model in 12 years to have a solo cover of British Vogue |
| Precious Lee | African-American | First black, curvy model in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition |
Africancurvymodels😍Stunning Plussize Curvy Models | Fashion Lifestyle Trends
These models are more than just faces in magazines; they are changing the landscape of the fashion industry, promoting inclusivity and inspiring a new generation.
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