More black models walked the Fashion Week runways in 2019 than ever before, and hopefully the numbers will go up even more this year. Black models are making strides that in years past would have never seemed possible: opening and closing some of the biggest shows, appearing in groundbreaking campaigns, and splashing the covers of some of the biggest magazines. These models are showing what the power of a little melanin and a lot of strength can do for the fashion industry.
There is still a long way to go for inclusion on the runway. It’s not often you see someone who is differently abled, trans, or of any size that would qualify as plus size walking the catwalk. But tides are shifting in the world of fashion, and it’s cause for celebration. Read ahead for some of the black models who are changing the catwalk one step at a time.
— Additional reporting by Balim Tezel