African-American Models: Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, Tyson Beckford and Others

Who could be unfamiliar with the dark curves and oomph of Naomi Campbell? Although the supermodel still continues to rule as an ace supermodel, she has ventured into some other streams as well. Till this date her extra-curricular activities include a first novel Swan, co-ownership of the new Manhattan eatery Fashion café, and a soon-to-be- released album for Epic records.

Popular African-American supermodel Tyra Banks is best known for her role since 2003 as the judge and host of the show America’s Next to Model. Tyra is widely known as one of the most famous fashion models of the world and one of the original Victoria’s Secret’s angels. Tyra was the first African-American model to be featured on the covers of GQ and the Sport’s Illustrated’s swimsuit issue.

In fashion business where pretty faces and killer bods rock the ramp, the first and only male African-American model that has created raving reviews is Tyson Beckford. This dashing hunk squeezes past the masses and emerges as a hot property to set the runway on fire. He is known around the globe for his extraordinary physique, awesome facial structure and crazy tattoos. Tyson is right now the lead model for Ralph Lauren.

Tyson is also known to be the highest-paid and richest male super model of the world. He’s also famous for being featured in Britney spears Toxic video. In 1993 Beckford was recruited by Ralph Lauren as the front model for the company’s Polo line of male sportswear. His name continued to rise and he was named “Man of the year” in 1995 by VH1, and as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world by People magazine.

The list of African-American models to reign the fashion world is endless. Beverly Johnson is yet another African-American model to have ruled the ramp. Born in 1952 in Buffalo, New York, she is the first African-American model to have donned the cover of the French magazine Elle. She’s also said to be the first African-American model to have appeared on Vogue.
The extravaganza continues for the African-American models. Model turned entrepreneur Iman Abdulmajid is a sheer show stopper even at this age, being a CEO of Iman Cosmetics, Skincare and Fragrances. Born in an underprivileged nation like Somalia, this African-American model has truly been there and done that. Married to the British rock star David Bowie, Iman is living happily with one daughter Alexandris Zahra Jones.

Another African-American model to live with a cause is Waris Dirie. Her’s is a truly rags to riches story. She’s exclusively remembered for her performance in the Bond movie, The Living Day Lights. Dirie escaped from Somalia at the age of twelve, running away from the prospect of her father giving her in marriage to a 60 year old man in exchange for five camels. A decade later after acting in the Bond movie she quit modeling to focus on her UN campaign against female genital mutilation of which she herself had been a victim.

Despite maintaining the strict regulations of a promising career our African-American models never let the sunset flounder their ambitions as they strive to live on and pursue their dreams and make a new generation of African-Americans proud.