Jamesty
The fashion business in the year 2025 is a lively tapestry that is rapidly embracing diversity and promoting a larger range of appearances that are considered beautiful. Black supermodels are at the vanguard of this transition. Not only do they grace the most prominent runways and campaigns, but they also use their platforms to push for change and inspire millions of people all over the world. Their iconic reputation has been firmly established as a result of their striking presence, unwavering talent, and powerful voices alike.
List Of Top 10 Best Black Supermodels In The World 2025
1. Anok Yai
Anok Yai came out of nowhere in 2017 when she was found at Howard University’s homecoming. She quickly rose to fame and became the second Black supermodel, after Naomi Campbell, to open a Prada show. This was a big deal in the fashion world. Yai’s striking looks and strong presence have quickly made her one of the “New Supers” of her generation. She was born in South Sudan and raised in the US. Her story shows how powerful it is to find things by chance and how beauty can be seen in a new way. She has walked for all the big names in fashion, like Versace, Fendi, and Louis Vuitton, and has been on the cover of many international Vogue magazines. She is a symbol of a new era in high fashion.
2. Joan Smalls
Joan Smalls, a Puerto Rican supermodel, is known for being able to change her look and walk down the runway in a way that is both captivating and versatile. Smalls has a unique intelligence in her work because she has a Bachelor’s degree in psychology. She has been the face of Estée Lauder cosmetics, making history as the first Latina model to do so. She has also led campaigns for some of the biggest luxury brands, such as Chanel and Tom Ford. In addition to her many editorial and runway jobs, Smalls is a strong supporter of diversity and has used her platform for charitable work. For example, she has given a large part of her earnings to Black Lives Matter groups and started DonateMyWage.org.
3. Adut Akech
Adut Akech was born in South Sudan and grew up in a refugee camp in Kenya before moving to Australia. Her story is one of incredible strength. Her unique beauty and interesting story quickly caught the attention of the fashion world, and after her first show at Saint Laurent, she became very famous very quickly. Akech is a regular on high-end runways like Chanel, Valentino, and Givenchy, and people love her for her graceful posture. Adut is more than just a top model; she is also a strong voice for refugees and a strong supporter of diversity in fashion. She speaks out against racism and uses her platform to inspire change and raise awareness.
4. Paloma Elsesser
Paloma Elsesser is a leader in the movement to change beauty standards and promote body diversity in fashion. Pat McGrath, a famous makeup artist, found Elsesser and she quickly became a muse for brands like Glossier and Fenty. She then easily moved into high fashion. She has walked for big names like Fendi, Versace, and Gabriela Hearst, and she has been on the covers of many magazines around the world. Paloma’s impact goes beyond fashion; she has started important conversations about mental health, body image, and the beauty of living without shame, showing that real style is about being confident and unique.
5. Alton Mason
Alton Mason is more than just a model; he’s a real performer. Mason has a background in dance and theatre, so he brings a lot of movement and unique artistic expression to every project. He was the first Black male model to walk for Chanel, which shows how popular he was. Mason has been a regular on international runways and in campaigns for brands like Fendi, Louis Vuitton, and Hugo Boss since his first appearance in Kanye West’s Yeezy Season 3 show. GQ has called him the “hottest male model in the world” because of his unique style that mixes comfort with cutting-edge shapes.
6. Precious Lee
Precious Lee has become one of the most famous high-fashion supermodels of her generation by always breaking down barriers and questioning the way things are. She was the first Black curve model to be in Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue in 2016, which was a big deal. Lee has opened the door for plus-size Black women to walk for big-name design houses. This has started a new era of diversity and inclusion in fashion. Her partnerships and her constant message to “aspire to inspire rather than conform to whatever you think the fashion gaze entails” show how deeply she believes in empowerment and individuality.
7. Leomie Anderson
Leomie Anderson is a British model who is also a supermodel, TV host, businesswoman, and passionate activist. She was discovered at 14 and quickly moved up the ranks, becoming a Victoria’s Secret Angel in 2019. People love Anderson for being honest and for always working to make the fashion industry more diverse and welcoming. She started LAPP The Brand, a line of clothes, and LAPP Magazine, a website that focusses on women’s mental health, rights, and body image. Leomie uses her voice to bring attention to the industry’s hidden problems and racial inequality through her TEDx Talks and activism. She encourages young women to stand up for themselves.
8. Alek Wek
Alek Wek’s entry into the fashion world in the middle of the 1990s was nothing short of revolutionary. Wek was born in South Sudan and fled the civil war. Her raw beauty and strong presence went against what people thought was beautiful. MTV named her “Model of the Year” in 1997, and she was the first African model to be on the cover of Elle. Oprah Winfrey famously said, “If Alek had been on the cover of a magazine when I was growing up, I would have had a different idea of who I was.” Her success elevated Black women all over the Wek is a model, but she is also a designer, writer, and humanitarian activist for groups like UNICEF and World Vision.
9. Iman
Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid, or Iman for short, is a true icon whose career has lasted almost fifty years. The Somali-American model was found in 1975 and quickly became a muse for famous designers like Yves Saint Laurent, who called her his “dream woman.” Iman stands out because of her graceful beauty and unique features. She started IMAN Cosmetics in 1994 after a successful career as a model. The company was the first to make beauty products specifically for women of colour, which went against what most people thought beauty was in the cosmetics industry. Iman is an entrepreneur and philanthropist who has always used her platform to support diversity and global issues.
10. Naomi Campbell
The word “supermodel” is often used to describe Naomi Campbell because of her amazing career. The British icon was discovered at 15 and quickly rose to the top of the fashion world. She was the first Black model to be on the covers of British Vogue, TIME magazine, and French Vogue. Campbell is a tireless activist in addition to being an amazing model and writer. When she faced racism, her friends Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista famously said, “If you don’t use Naomi, you don’t get us.” Fashion for Relief, her charity, has raised millions of dollars for different causes. This makes her legacy not only as a fashion icon but also as a strong voice for change.
