Global Beauties: 15 "It Girls" to Know

Meet the ladies who rule social scenes around the world.

Malaika Firth, Kenya - The “It Girl.” She’s the type of woman who's making noise on the fashion scene and whose name is at the top of every guest list. She's successful in her chosen career and looks criminally good while doing it. While there are familiar faces like Rihanna holding down Barbados and Jourdan Dunn repping for the U.K., we're highlighting even more of the world's most successful and a few more who may not be on your radar. Oh yes, these ladies got “it” goin’ on.The fashion community hails this catwalk queen as the next Naomi Campbell, particularly as she was the first Black model to land a fall Prada campaign since Campbell did so in 1994. She’s currently the face of Valentino’s Spring/Summer 2014 campaign.  (Photo: Malaika Firth via Instagram)
Sevyn Streeter, Florida  - Hailing from Haines City, Amber “Sevyn” Streeter is bombshell with the golden voice. Formerly a member of the girl groups TG4 and RichGirl, she’s blazing her own path today as a solo artist, releasing her debut EP Call Me Crazy, But... in December 2013. On the songwriting front, she’s penned tracks for Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Kelly Rowland and Chris Brown, providing backing vocals for his albums Fortune and Fame.  (Photo: Sevyn Streeter via Instagram)
Rita Ora, Kosovo - Who else can count being a muse for Karl Lagerfeld, campaigns for DKNY and her own makeup collection for Rimmel London as perks of the job? Nobody but this Kosovo-born, London-reared model and singer, whose 2012 debut album ORA spawned UK No. 1 singles "How We Do (Party)" and "R.I.P.” With constant aesthetic comparisons to label-mate Rihanna, Ora is now known as a confident fashion risk-taker with a free spirit.   (Photo: Rita Ora via Instagram)Lupita Nyong’o, Mexico - The Mexico City-born, Kenya-raised actress’ descent to Hollywood’s A-list reads much like a fairytale, thanks to her breakout role in 12 Years a Slave and flawless red carpet style. Already taking home a Screen Actors Guild Award and NAACP Image Award, the Yale grad is a favorite to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress this year.   (Photo: Lupita Nyong'o via Instagram)

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Malaika Firth, Kenya - The “It Girl.” She’s the type of woman who's making noise on the fashion scene and whose name is at the top of every guest list. She's successful in her chosen career and looks criminally good while doing it. While there are familiar faces like Rihanna holding down Barbados and Jourdan Dunn repping for the U.K., we're highlighting even more of the world's most successful and a few more who may not be on your radar. Oh yes, these ladies got “it” goin’ on.The fashion community hails this catwalk queen as the next Naomi Campbell, particularly as she was the first Black model to land a fall Prada campaign since Campbell did so in 1994. She’s currently the face of Valentino’s Spring/Summer 2014 campaign. (Photo: Malaika Firth via Instagram)

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