9 African Models Taking the International Modelling Scene by Storm | by Thobile Mazibuko

Back when European standards were still popularly used as a measure of beauty, Black women were deemed as either “too dark” or “not pretty enough” to be supermodels. However, as the world slowly adapts, Black models are becoming the most sought-after — challenging the status quo by ruling the runway and dominating editorials.

Growing up, I used to watch a lot of TV, and from the content I consumed, it’s safe to say that the definition of a beautiful woman was someone slim, tall, light-skinned and with straight hair. It was rare to see a dark-skinned woman with 4c type hair labelled as the “most beautiful woman” or chosen to be at the forefront of fashion shows, let alone magazine covers.

Although there still is a long way to go in redefining beauty within the fashion industry, it’s pleasing to witness the change that has begun. We’ve rounded up some of Africa's models making waves on international shows and explore who they are below.

Anyon Asola

Originally from South Sudan and raised in Uganda, Asola is popular in the South African fashion scenes. In 2016, she was scouted in Uganda by David Tlale and moved to Mzansi, where her career took off. Only her grandmother and brother supported her giant leap, but the rest of her family was not happy about her move. Her unique catwalk made her stand out, and in 2019, she bagged her first international gig. She worked at New York Fashion Week and has not looked back since. Asola has walked for Jean Paul Gaultier, Thom Browne, Christian Siriano and Victoria Glemaud, to name a few.

Diana Achan

Also hailing from South Sudan, Achan represents her country in fashion capitals such as Milan, London, Paris and New York. She made her New York Fashion Week debut recently, walking for Tommy Hilfiger. She worked at Paris Fashion Week in July this year, strutting the runway in Giambattista Valli and Valentino. Achan has modelled editorials for 16Arlington, Balenciaga, Carolina Herrera, Gucci, Kenzo, Blumarine and Browns.

Janet Jumbo

Jumbo’s modelling journey is an interesting one because although she is from Nigeria, she has never worked as a model in her home country. Instead, her first runway experience was international with Louis Vuitton in 2019. She was only 16 at the time and was the first Nigerian model to walk for the luxury brand. Besides working at Paris and London Fashion Weeks, Jumbo has graced several magazine covers which include Numéro, Porter, L’officiel and Vogue. She featured on British Vogue’s February 2022 Black girls issue.

Abény Nhial

The South Sudanese-Australian beauty broke into the modelling world in 2020, when Que Models scouted her for Paris Fashion Week. She took the opportunity and ran with it. Nhial has since worked with popular brands like Fendi, Dior, Schiaparelli, Alexander McQueen, and Witchery. She was also featured on Vogue’s Black girls cover.

4 Big Moments of African Fashion in Film and Television

Victoria Fawole

Representing Nigeria, Fawole made it international in February 2021, when she made her debut as a muse for Simone Rocha. A few months after working with Maison Alia, Dior, Fendi, Valentino and Jean Paul Gaultier, she made her first Vogue appearance. More appearances followed in T Magazine, Another Magazine and W Magazine.

Rosalie Ndour

The Senegalese model has been in the industry since 2016, working her way to the top in Italy, where she featured in a number of editorials for glossies such as Red Milk, Beautiful Blood and Posh. In 2019, she began walking more runway shows, for brands such as Gucci and Maison Margiela. Other brands that Ndour has worked for include Max Mara, Balmain, Dolce & Gabbana, and Atla Moda, to name but a few.

Mental Health in the Fashion Industry: Finding Balance

Amar Akway

The Ethiopian model had her breakthrough in 2020. In the same year, she scored her first Vogue Japan cover for the September issue. She has worked with Fendi, Kenzo, Max Mara, Michael Kros, Carolina Herrera, Victoria Beckham, Hermès and Schiaparelli. She too is one of the models that graced the British Vogue Black girls issue.

Eya Mariam Diawara

Diawara manifested her modelling career when she visited Nigeria in 2018. The Gabonese model posted a picture on her Instagram page with the caption, “pose like a model”, and before she knew it, Anani Models scouted her. That same year, she had her runway debut with Louis Vuitton in Paris, followed by a New York Fashion Week debut. Diawara has donned opulent garments by Dior, Gucci, Kenzo, Valentino and Jacquemus.

Ponahalo Mojapelo

Hailing from South Africa, Mojapelo’s distinctive looks make her stand out. Instead of strutting it on the runway, she prefers posing in front of the camera. She has graced the cover of Lifestyle Magazine and made several appearances on Vogue online. She has worked with Carvela, Maxhosa Africa and is one of Thebe Magugu’s favourite muses.