Black Beauty: In Honor of Supermodel Naomi Sims

Black Supermodels

Naomi Sims, 1948 - 2009 - Naomi Sims was the first Black model to appear on the cover of <i>Ladies’ Home Journal</i>, and then went on to dominate the modeling world during the late '60s and early '70s.

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Naomi Sims, 1948 - 2009 - Naomi Sims was the first Black model to appear on the cover of <i>Ladies’ Home Journal</i>, and then went on to dominate the modeling world during the late '60s and early '70s.

Paving the Way - As one of the first successful Black supermodels, Naomi Sims paved the way for all African American models we see today. She helped to define Black beauty and is often described as &quot;a great ambassador for all Black people.&quot;

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Paving the Way - As one of the first successful Black supermodels, Naomi Sims paved the way for all African American models we see today. She helped to define Black beauty and is often described as "a great ambassador for all Black people."

Mounia - Being one of the first Black models to wear haute couture, Mounia is simply known as designer Yves Saint Laurent’s first Black muse.

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Mounia - Being one of the first Black models to wear haute couture, Mounia is simply known as designer Yves Saint Laurent’s first Black muse.

Pat Cleveland - Discovered on the subway at the age of 5 in 1967, Pat Cleveland drew huge success from working with Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent and Oscar de la Renta.

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Pat Cleveland - Discovered on the subway at the age of 5 in 1967, Pat Cleveland drew huge success from working with Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent and Oscar de la Renta.

Beverly Johnson - Since making history as the first Black model to appear on the cover of American &lt;i&gt;Vogue&lt;/i&gt; in 1974, Beverly Johnson has gained success in acting, book publishing and reality TV.

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Beverly Johnson - Since making history as the first Black model to appear on the cover of American <i>Vogue</i> in 1974, Beverly Johnson has gained success in acting, book publishing and reality TV.

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Iman - In 1975, Somali beauty Iman came to the United States to start her fast-moving career as a supermodel. She is now the host of “Project Runway Canada” and CEO of IMAN Cosmetics, Skincare and Fragrances. She also works as a spokesperson for the Keep a Child Alive program.

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Iman - In 1975, Somali beauty Iman came to the United States to start her fast-moving career as a supermodel. She is now the host of “Project Runway Canada” and CEO of IMAN Cosmetics, Skincare and Fragrances. She also works as a spokesperson for the Keep a Child Alive program.

Naomi Campbell - Starting her modeling career at the young age of 15, Naomi Campbell is still blowing up the fashion industry worldwide. After becoming the first Black cover girl for &lt;i&gt;Vogue Paris&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Vogue UK&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Time&lt;/i&gt; magazines, the fierce supermodel has appeared on over 100 magazine covers.

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Naomi Campbell - Starting her modeling career at the young age of 15, Naomi Campbell is still blowing up the fashion industry worldwide. After becoming the first Black cover girl for <i>Vogue Paris</i>, <i>Vogue UK</i> and <i>Time</i> magazines, the fierce supermodel has appeared on over 100 magazine covers.

Beverly Peele - After landing her first magazine cover (&lt;i&gt;Mademoiselle&lt;/i&gt;) in 1989, Beverly Peele did runway modeling and ads for several high-fashion designers, and has appeared in music videos and sitcoms.

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Beverly Peele - After landing her first magazine cover (<i>Mademoiselle</i>) in 1989, Beverly Peele did runway modeling and ads for several high-fashion designers, and has appeared in music videos and sitcoms.

Roshumba Williams - As a Black model that was discovered by Yves Saint Laurent, Roshumba Williams gained her fame by posing in the &lt;i&gt;Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition&lt;/i&gt; in the early 1990s.

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Roshumba Williams - As a Black model that was discovered by Yves Saint Laurent, Roshumba Williams gained her fame by posing in the <i>Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition</i> in the early 1990s.

Veronica Webb - Veronica Webb was the first Back model to receive an exclusive contract with a major cosmetics company, Revlon. Since then, she has worked in television, runway and print. Currently, she dedicates her time to many charitable organizations.

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Veronica Webb - Veronica Webb was the first Back model to receive an exclusive contract with a major cosmetics company, Revlon. Since then, she has worked in television, runway and print. Currently, she dedicates her time to many charitable organizations.

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Tyra Banks - Throughout her modeling career, Tyra Banks made history as the first African-American model to appear on the cover of &lt;i&gt;Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;GQ&lt;/i&gt; and the Victoria’s Secret catalogue. After retiring in 2005, she has grown an even more successful career as a talk show host and television producer.

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Tyra Banks - Throughout her modeling career, Tyra Banks made history as the first African-American model to appear on the cover of <i>Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition</i>, <i>GQ</i> and the Victoria’s Secret catalogue. After retiring in 2005, she has grown an even more successful career as a talk show host and television producer.

Alek Wek - Discovered in 1995, Alek Wek became one of the top supermodels in the fashion industry. Aside from appearing on runways worldwide, she has designed her own handbag collection, “Wek 1933.”

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Alek Wek - Discovered in 1995, Alek Wek became one of the top supermodels in the fashion industry. Aside from appearing on runways worldwide, she has designed her own handbag collection, “Wek 1933.”

Liya Kebede - Liya Kebede gained huge fame when she covered the May 2002 issue of &lt;i&gt;Vogue Paris&lt;/i&gt;, which dedicated its entire issue to her. She is also featured in several fashion campaigns for high-fashion designers, and was named the 11th highest paid top model in the world by &lt;i&gt;Forbes&lt;/i&gt;.

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Liya Kebede - Liya Kebede gained huge fame when she covered the May 2002 issue of <i>Vogue Paris</i>, which dedicated its entire issue to her. She is also featured in several fashion campaigns for high-fashion designers, and was named the 11th highest paid top model in the world by <i>Forbes</i>.

Noemie Lenoir - French beauty Noemie Lenoir began her modeling career at the age of 16. She has worked for Gap, L’Or&#233;al and Victoria’s Secret, and is a popular face in the UK.

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Noemie Lenoir - French beauty Noemie Lenoir began her modeling career at the age of 16. She has worked for Gap, L’Oréal and Victoria’s Secret, and is a popular face in the UK.

Selita Ebanks - Selita Ebanks is known as one of the sexy Victoria’s Secret Angels and is seen in their catalogues and runway shows. She has also posed for numerous magazines and fashion campaigns.

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Selita Ebanks - Selita Ebanks is known as one of the sexy Victoria’s Secret Angels and is seen in their catalogues and runway shows. She has also posed for numerous magazines and fashion campaigns.

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Eva Marcille - Since becoming the first African American to win “America’s Next Top Model,” Eva Marcille has gained a very successful modeling career. From &lt;i&gt;Essence&lt;/i&gt; to &lt;i&gt;Elle Girl&lt;/i&gt;, she has done her share of magazine spreads and covers. She currently has a reoccurring role on the Daytime soap opera, “The Young and the Restless.”

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Eva Marcille - Since becoming the first African American to win “America’s Next Top Model,” Eva Marcille has gained a very successful modeling career. From <i>Essence</i> to <i>Elle Girl</i>, she has done her share of magazine spreads and covers. She currently has a reoccurring role on the Daytime soap opera, “The Young and the Restless.”

Chanel Iman - After winning third place in Ford Model’s Supermodel of the World 2006, Chanel Iman’s successful modeling career took off. She has modeled for numerous top designers including Oscar de la Renta, Michael Kors and Dolce & Gabbana.

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Chanel Iman - After winning third place in Ford Model’s Supermodel of the World 2006, Chanel Iman’s successful modeling career took off. She has modeled for numerous top designers including Oscar de la Renta, Michael Kors and Dolce & Gabbana.

Toccara Jones - Toccara Jones is known as the fierce plus-size model that competed on “America’s Next Top Model.” Even though she did not win, she still received a modeling contract and has since appeared in &lt;i&gt;Vogue Italia&lt;/i&gt;’s Black Issue, making her the first Black plus-size model to appear in the magazine.

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Toccara Jones - Toccara Jones is known as the fierce plus-size model that competed on “America’s Next Top Model.” Even though she did not win, she still received a modeling contract and has since appeared in <i>Vogue Italia</i>’s Black Issue, making her the first Black plus-size model to appear in the magazine.

Dani Evans - After winning the sixth season of “America’s Next Top Model,” Dani Evans has appeared in magazines such as &lt;i&gt;Essence&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;ELLE&lt;/i&gt;, and is the spokesmodel for Akademics clothing line.

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Dani Evans - After winning the sixth season of “America’s Next Top Model,” Dani Evans has appeared in magazines such as <i>Essence</i> and <i>ELLE</i>, and is the spokesmodel for Akademics clothing line.

Tyson Beckford - Sexy male supermodel Tyson Beckford stole the spotlight as the face of Ralph Lauren's Polo line. He was also named Man of the Year in 1995 by VH1 and featured as one of “50 Most Beautiful People in the World” by &lt;i&gt;People&lt;/i&gt; magazine.

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Tyson Beckford - Sexy male supermodel Tyson Beckford stole the spotlight as the face of Ralph Lauren's Polo line. He was also named Man of the Year in 1995 by VH1 and featured as one of “50 Most Beautiful People in the World” by <i>People</i> magazine.

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Jessica White - She's the first African American model to hold two model contracts - CoverGirl and Maybelline. She has walked the runway for Ralph Lauren and Marc Jacobs, just to name a few, and has appeared in &lt;i&gt;King&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Harper’s Bazaar&lt;/i&gt; magazine, as well as music videos. Jessica White can be seen in John Legend’s “So High,&quot; and Jay-Z’s “Change Clothes.”

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Jessica White - She's the first African American model to hold two model contracts - CoverGirl and Maybelline. She has walked the runway for Ralph Lauren and Marc Jacobs, just to name a few, and has appeared in <i>King</i>, <i>Harper’s Bazaar</i> magazine, as well as music videos. Jessica White can be seen in John Legend’s “So High," and Jay-Z’s “Change Clothes.”

Oluchi Onweagba - Supermodel Oluchi Onweagba has worked the covers of &lt;i&gt;Elle, i-D&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Vogue&lt;/i&gt;. She was also the face of several campaigns such as Gap, Banana Republic and Express, and has walked runways for Christian Dior and Giorgio Armani. Today, she's best known as the first Nigerian model to be signed as one of the Victoria’s Secret Angels.

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Oluchi Onweagba - Supermodel Oluchi Onweagba has worked the covers of <i>Elle</i>, <i>i-D</i> and <i>Vogue</i>. She was also the face of several campaigns such as Gap, Banana Republic and Express, and has walked runways for Christian Dior and Giorgio Armani. Today, she's best known as the first Nigerian model to be signed as one of the Victoria’s Secret Angels.

Sessilee Lopez - American supermodel Sessilee Lopez has graced the pages of national and international magazines such as &lt;i&gt;Essence, Harper’s Bazaar, Italian Vogue,&lt;/i&gt; and many other high-profile mags. At 21 years old, she has walked in runway shows across the globe, including Emperio Armani, Baby Phat and Kenneth Cole.

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Sessilee Lopz - American supermodel Sessilee Lopez has graced the pages of national and international magazines such as <i>Essence</i>, <i>Harper’s Bazaar</i>, <i>Italian Vogue</i>, and many other high-profile mags. At 21 years old, she has walked in runway shows across the globe, including Emperio Armani, Baby Phat and Kenneth Cole.

Ajuma Nasenyana - Born in Kenya, Ajuma Nasenyana has shared the catwalk with divas such as Naomi Campbell and Alek Wek. She was featured as a Victoria Secret Model in 2006 and has modeled for several other designers, such as Baby Phat.

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Ajuma Nasenyana - Born in Kenya, Ajuma Nasenyana has shared the catwalk with divas such as Naomi Campbell and Alek Wek. She was featured as a Victoria Secret Model in 2006 and has modeled for several other designers, such as Baby Phat.

Yasmin Warsame - Canadian supermodel Yasmin Warsame has worked several couture and other high fashion runways, including campaigns for Escada, H&M, Gap, Valentino Couture and many others. She is currently working as a judge on &lt;i&gt;&quot;Canada's Next Top Model&quot;&lt;/i&gt; reality show.

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Yasmin Warsame - Canadian supermodel Yasmin Warsame has worked several couture and other high fashion runways, including campaigns for Escada, H&M, Gap, Valentino Couture and many others. She is currently working as a judge on <i>"Canada's Next Top Model"</i> reality show.