Know your African Supermodel

Hmm, this is a thorny issue.......whether the models on the runway are truly representative of African beauty or a stylised version of a Western perception of what ideal African beauty should be.

Whichever way your feelings lie on that particular topic (we can have a whole debate about it on another day if you like!), the fact remains that there are some beautiful ladies out there holding it down for black women on the runways of the world. 

So I thought I’d give you a heads up on my personal favourites. I’d love to hear who your favourite African models (or models of African descent) are too.....maybe even do an in-depth piece about them.

So here goes, in no particular order of preference:

Ajuma

This Kenyan model is, to quote Tyra Banks, “fierce”!!

She’s 26, gorgeous, engaged with a lovely baby boy and a self-confessed tomboy. She’s also 5ft 10in of graceful limbs, flawless skin and a killer smile.

She’s done work for (amongst others) Baby Phat, Issey Miyake, Vivienne Westwood and (what I consider the supermodel apex!) Victoria’s Secret.

Not bad for a girl who grew up in Turkana (you’ll have to look that one up – believe me when I say it’s far from the runways and catwalks of Milan and New York!)

Interestingly, she didn’t come to fame via the Face of Africa competition that has launched others. Long story short, it was the Ford Supermodel Search that was her launch pad. She gave up a sports scholarship to University in the USA to model instead and boy, did it pay off! 

 

Alek Wek

If you don’t know who this sista is, all I can do is shake my head in shock! Probably one of the most well known faces of African beauty, she rocked the fashion world to the core when Elle magazine put her on their November 1997 issue (yes, it’s been a long time since she hit the scene – still love her!)

While she’s undoubtedly beautiful, what I love about Alek Wek is probably more to do with her work outside of modelling. She’s served on the advisory board of the U.S. Committee for Refugees, works with World Vision and Medecins sans Frontiers and has her own line of designer handbags – beat that!

Born in Southern Sudan, she moved to the UK in 1995 with one of her sisters (she has 8 siblings!) to avoid the conflict there.  She was apparently discovered by a model scout while at a party. It seems she was always destined for fashion though as she was studying fashion technology at the time.

Got to go for now, more of my favourites next time!