Lifestyle
Pioneers in Fashion: The Rise and Impact of Black Male Models on the Industry
When you consider how black men influence American culture, the modeling industry may not immediately come to mind. But from magazine covers to national campaigns to fashion runways, black male models are making waves in the fashion industry.
Even in case you do not know much about fashion, it’s value testing these famous black models whose biggest achievements modified the industry as we understand it. Here’s every black male model you need to learn about in 2024.
A transient history of black models in fashion
Even the least fashionable amongst us can easily name a couple of Black modelsreminiscent of Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks and Iman. You might even think of the criminally underrated Donyal Luna, the star of the series documentary about supermodels on HBO. You’ll probably notice something that these names have in common: they’re women. And while we definitely don’t desire to undermine the enormous achievements of these black supermodels, it’s clear that not less than the American fashion industry has long preferred to open up its limited spaces for people of color to black women slightly than black men.
Early pioneers of black male modeling included Benin-born Djimon Hounsou, who rose to fame posing for designer Thierry Mugler, actor and NAACP Image Award winner Shemar Moore, and Ford model Boris Kodjoe. It can be a sin not to say the late Renauld Whitean iconic model and actor who died in 2024 after an extended profession of pushing boundaries in fashion. These and many other icons paved the way for today’s top black male models.
Most Influential Black Male Models
1. Tyson Beckford
If you have got studied the fashion industry, you’ll recognize Tyson Beckford as one of the most famous black male models of all time. The Bronx-born model first broke boundaries in the Nineteen Nineties, establishing himself as one of the first high-profile black American male models, starring in well-known campaigns reminiscent of the 1999 Guess Raw Denim ad.
Outside of fashion, Beckford has appeared in music videos reminiscent of Lizzo’s “2 Be Loved (Am I Ready)” and Mariah Carey’s “Infinity.” He also starred in movies reminiscent of “Into the Blue” (2005) and “Searching for Bobby D” (2005). Beckford even played himself in the modeling comedy Zoolander (2001), proving that even one of the best-looking men in the world knows higher than to take himself too seriously.
2. Alton Mason
The Nebraska-born runway model made history by becoming the first black model to walk in the Chanel show in 2018. Since then, he has been named Model of the Year by GQ Australia, was named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list and has even branched out into acting.
At just 26 years old, Mason has already landed several major acting roles. He appeared in the 2022 TV series “Yara Shahidi’s Day Off” and most notably played the role of Little Richard in the biopic “Elvis” (2022). Now a longtime model and actor, we won’t wait to see where Mason’s many talents take him next.
3.Adonis Bosso
Our next breakthrough model comes from Ivory Coast and Canada. Adonis Bosso was working in retail at H&M when he landed his first campaign. This was at the same company, which meant an abrupt end to his days as a sales representative.
It was a stroke of luck not just for Bosso himself, but in addition for a lot of of the brands he would later pose for, including Armani Exchange, Dolce & Gabbana, Tom Ford, Vivienne Westwood, Thom Browne and Yeezy. On a more personal note, Bosso, 34, and his girlfriend, fellow model Slick Woods, welcomed a son named Saphir in 2018.
4. Armand Cabral
Armando Cabral, turned model and designer, was born in Guinea-Bissau but raised in Portugal. He began his first catwalk classes at the age of 17. This early preparation paid off just a couple of years later: Cabral signed a contract at the age of 21 and continued his profession walking or posing for a lot of major fashion brands, including Louis Vuitton, Balmain, Dries Van Noten and J. Crew Menswear.
Not content with remaining one of the most famous black men in fashion, Cabral took his fashion investments to the next level in 2009 with the release of his first footwear collection. He delved so deeply into the craft of shoe design that his work landed him a job in the African fashion documentary “Bangaology – The Science of Style” (2016) directed by Coréon Dú.
5. David Agboji
Like Cabral, Agbodji comes from West Africa (specifically Togo). The Togolese model’s profession began with a bang in Milan in 2010, where he opened and closed the Calvin Klein spring and summer collection show. Since then, Agbodji has walked in over 100 shows for brands reminiscent of Bottega Veneta, Fear of God and Zenga. If you are not into the runway, you could recognize Agbodji from his appearance in Lady Gaga’s music video “I Want Your Love” (2015).
All this experience has made Agbodji an authority on the experiences of Black models in the industry, and he has been invited to look in a range of short movies and videos on the topic, including “The Ever Changing Face of Beauty” (2012) and “Sea of Voices” (2020) . When he isn’t stomping down the runway or analyzing fashion on film, Agbodji is pursuing a second profession as a boxer and Muay Thai fighter.
The role of black male models in changing perceptions of masculinity and diversity
We probably needn’t let you know that traditional gender norms are likely to elevate a narrow, Eurocentric definition of beauty. These norms have each influenced and been shaped by the fashion industry, making a feedback loop of privilege for white models, designers, and journalists.
A presence on runways, magazine covers, red carpets, and movie screens, these black men and many others have challenged racist beauty standards and advocated for a more inclusive fashion landscape. Like their peers, these models prove that folks of any skin tone might be aspirational for consumers of all races.
Still, black models must deal not only with the fashion industry’s Eurocentric biases, but in addition with the quite a few stereotypes and false expectations that typically accompany black masculinity. This may mean that you just are expected to look tall and fit while being extra careful to not pose a threat, or taking risks with style without questioning your sexuality.
When you see a black model in a photograph or on a runway, you do not just think of an African-American model dressed in fashionable clothing. You are witnessing the culmination of a long time of individual and collective efforts to vary the face of fashion around the world.
Upcoming black male models to observe
1. Babacar N’doye
The London model debuted in 2018 at Burberry designer Christopher Bailey’s last show, but the Elite signature model was an enormous success last 12 months. In March, he posed for the cover of GQ France and has since appeared in campaigns for Burberry, Flâneur, Givechy and more.
2. Abdulaye Niang
This emerging model hails from New York and is signed to Next London, VISION Los Angeles and Berlin-based MINT Artist Management. Niang has walked the runway for brands like Gucci and John Elliott and appeared in campaigns for Zara, Helmut Lang and more, and we hope he’s just getting began.
3. De’Laney Ortiz
The Detroit-born model and Next Management signee has previously posed for leather brand Luar, appeared in the June issue of GQ South Africa, and starred in the 2021 Gossip Girl reboot. Whether she decides to stick to modeling or pursue acting, we won’t wait to see what Ortiz does next.
The future of black men’s representation in fashion
As more and more people call for greater diversity in all points of life, it is obvious that more and more black male models will turn out to be relevant in the coming years. No matter who they’re, the next generation of black men in fashion will undoubtedly have the trailblazers we discussed today who we are able to thank for the doors they left open behind them.
But fortunately, the next generation’s achievements won’t be limited by the same rigorous beauty standards that hampered the models of color who got here before them. The world is quickly adopting latest visions of masculinity, beauty and fashion. We cannot wait to see how these latest perspectives are embodied in the next wave of black supermodels, regardless of gender.