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.
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Lifestyle
BlaQue Community Cares is organizing a cash crowd for serious food
QNS reports that Queens, New York-based nonprofit BlaQue Community Cares is making an effort to assist raise awareness of Earnest Foods, an organic food market with the Cash Mob initiative.
The BlaQue Cash Mob program is a community-led event that goals to support local businesses, reminiscent of grocery stores in Jamaica, by encouraging shoppers to go to the shop and spend a certain quantity of cash, roughly $20. BlaQue founder Aleeia Abraham says cash drives are happening across New York City to extend support for local businesses. “I think it’s important to really encourage local shopping habits and strengthen the connections between residents and businesses and Black businesses, especially in Queens,” she said after hosting six events since 2021.
“We’ve been doing this for a while and we’ve found that it really helps the community discover new businesses that they may not have known existed.”
As a result, crowds increase sales and strengthen social bonds for independent businesses.
Earnest Foods opened in 2021 after recognizing the necessity for fresh produce in the world. As residents struggled to seek out fresh food, Abraham defines the shop as “an invaluable part of the southeast Queens community.” “There’s really nowhere to go in Queens, especially Black-owned businesses in Queens, to find something healthier to eat. We need to keep these businesses open,” she said.
“So someone just needs to make everyone aware that these companies exist and how to keep the dollars in our community. Organizing this cash crowd not only encourages people to buy, but also shows where our collective dollars stand, how it helps sustain businesses and directly serves and uplifts our community.”
The event will happen on November 24 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 123-01 Merrick Blvd in St. Albans. According to the shop’s co-owner, Earnest Flowers, he has partnered with several other Black-owned brands in the world to sell his products at the shop. Flowers is comfortable that his neighbors can come to his supermarket to purchase organic food and goods from local vendors like Celeste Sassine, owner of Sassy Sweet Vegan Treats.
At the grand opening three years ago which was visited by over 350 viewersSassine stated that the collaboration was “super, super, super exciting” to the purpose that the majority of the products were off the shelves inside hours.
Lifestyle
Keke Palmer Recalls the Key Advice Will Smith Gave Her as a Child: “It’s Hard to Be First”
Like many young people, actress Keke Palmer went through a phase wherein she clashed along with her parents. Recently in a performance at “Toast” podcast.Palmer revealed that fellow actor Will Smith helped her take care of the situation along with her family.
As a child star who has appeared on Nickelodeon and Disney productions, the “Akeelah and the Bee” actress explained how juggling fame has affected her and her family relationships — a lot in order that she admits she once considered emancipating herself from her parents.
Although her lawyer tried to get her into counseling, Palmer said it was Smith’s words that ultimately modified her mind.
“A couple of weeks go by, I’m on the set of ‘True Jackson, Vice President’ and I get a call from a very, very unknown number. And I said, “What? If it was strange, I would not answer,” she said, mentioning that she simply went back to work. Later, while retrieving her phone, Palmer received a voicemail from the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” star.
“Hey Keke. This is Will. We’re here filming ‘The Karate Kid’ with (my son) Jaden and I just want to let you understand that I’ve talked (to your lawyer),’ Palmer continued, impersonating Smith. “He let me know every little thing you are going through and I need you to know that sometimes it’s hard to be the first, but you may do it. Just stay focused, love your loved ones and every little thing shall be high-quality.
Palmer remembers struggling as a child with the attention and fame that got here with climbing the ladder in the entertainment industry. While trying to adjust to the demands of her burgeoning profession, the actress recalls feeling that fame meant she would have to “throw (her) family away.”
“It’s something that happens when you leave and you can become a child artist, you can be the first person in your family to go to college, or you can be the first person in your family to get married,” Palmer said: explaining her feelings at that moment. “There are so many firsts that can happen as the generations of your family grow and evolve.”
Ultimately deciding not to undergo the emancipation process, Palmer emphasized the importance of getting a healthy community when navigating the entertainment industry.
“I think I’ve always felt like a lot of people, whether they’re big names or whether they’re my lawyers, have been a good community,” she added. “Also, my parents made sure I was around (people) who would encourage community rather than discord and separation.”
Lifestyle
Issa Rae will be honored at the British Fashion Awards 2024
Issa Rae gets flowers – in style.
The 39-year-old author, actress and producer will receive the Pandora Leader of Change award at the upcoming British Fashion Awards 2024, which will happen on December 2 at London’s Royal Albert Hall, the British Fashion Council announced.
Actress and former “Insecure” co-star Yvonne Orji will present the award to Rae at the event, which serves as a significant fundraiser for the council’s foundation, in keeping with Women’s on a regular basis clothing.
“We are thrilled to honor Issa Rae with the Pandora Leader of Change Award at the Fashion Awards 2024,” Caroline Rush, chief executive of the British Fashion Council, shared in an announcement.
“Rae’s work has inspired and resonated with people around the world. “She is a staunch supporter of the civil and women’s rights movements, always advocating for equality and social justice in her acting and writing,” Rush continued. “She consistently uses her platform to highlight the lack of diversity in Hollywood and advocate for greater representation in the industry, including meeting people of color behind the scenes.”
She added: “She is wholeheartedly committed to moving the conversation forward and galvanizing voices that are typically absent and underrepresented to open doors for others. She truly embodies the principles of this award and we are very excited to celebrate her in December.”
According to the British Fashion Council website, the Pandora Leader of Change award recognizes individuals who “lead innovation” to extend representation in arts and culture. Rae will be the second-ever recipient of this award. According to official details about the award, one other actress and author Michaela Coel was honored in 2023 Elle Magazine.
“Issa Rae truly embodies the spirit of the Pandora Leader of Change award,” Berta de Pablos-Barbier, Pandora chief marketing officer, said in the release. “In this second year of presenting this award, we are (honored) to celebrate a woman whose love for her craft and community shines through in each multi-dimensional character she brings to life.”
Pablo-Barbier added: “Her passion and purpose make her a natural candidate for this award, which fits perfectly with our values at Pandora, where love is always at the center. Issa’s commitment to meaningful change and uplifting others makes her an extraordinary change leader, and we are proud to honor her.”
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