It’s New York Fashion Week so it’s time to count down some of the hottest faces on the catwalk. And there’s good news: campaigns like ‘Black Models Matter’ seem to be making a mark as a flurry of new black faces hit the runway.
Here are the 11 models – either at NYFW or they should be – who are impressing in fashion and beyond.
Part of the Casely-Haysford dynasty, Ayaana Stevens was born for fashion.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPLnsHhgHQA/?taken-by=ayxvna
You might recognise the Brit Ghanaian from the Ivy Park editorial. In a HungerTV interview, the model was asked: If you could work with anyone in the industry who would be in your dream team?
The 21-year-old has just been signed to Premier Models. Her shots wearing Calvin Klein underwear are simply insane.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BIX1YFogql7/?taken-by=iam_janaye
The US model – who’s also a keen horse rider – has walked for everyone: Tommy Hilfiger, Marc Jacobs, Rodarte, Kenzo, Miu Miu, Coach, Burberry, Stella McCartney, and Julien Macdonald.
This season she walked for Desigual.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BP5XnJsDAsv/?taken-by=lamekafox
She’s also an Angel.
Amilna Estevão was discovered at the age of 14 in the capital city of Angola, Luanda. She’s walked for Givenchy and Lanvin. She was asked in Paper magazine, if people recognise her on the street in Angola:
‘Yes, they always recognize me, but I feel shy because I feel almost too much love from them, even though I’m just starting and still young!’
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQPObOkBgwI/?taken-by=officialamilnaestevao
https://www.instagram.com/p/BO9U-uggNbu/?taken-by=blesnyaminher
Angola is on fire! This 19-year-old Angolan model has worked for Christian Dior, Valentino, Miu Miu and Kenzo and just appeared for the Calvin Klein in New York this week.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLzBodjgHts/?taken-by=blesnyaminher
Toronto-born Aleece Wilson goes by the name ‘odd freckles’ on IG. We are madly jealous of them.
She was on the Alexander Wang catwalk show this New York Fashion Week.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQREIg9gNHK/?taken-by=oddfreckles
In an interview with her local newspaper, the Windsor Star, she said ‘I would get mad when people said I looked like a model. I was really into sports and I never thought of myself as a model. I had been bullied about my appearance and I’d never seen any models that looked like me.’
She proves that there’s nothing wrong with looking different.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQeG0kjAeMy/?taken-by=oddfreckles
Ok, OK! She’s made it already, we know. But we couldn’t resist featuring this half-Ghanaian rising star. The 24-year-old was just onset cover of Vogue with Gigi, Kendall and Imaan.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQQnnfkDzC4/?taken-by=gurlstalk
She also speaks out on mental health for young women with her inspirational initiative Gurls Talk.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQL7p0bDEoe/?taken-by=adwoaaboah
The 21-year-old US model has walked for Yeezy, Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Valentino and Sonia Rykiel. Oh and Coach and Prada too. Apparently she loves singing so perhaps, if she’s not too busy, a second career is in order?
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQIzbpqlgLN/?taken-by=wallettewatson
Daughter of the iconic Guinean model and activist Katoucha Niane, Aiden Curtiss has opened for Roland Mouret’s Spring 2017 show and walked for Jeremy Scott this New York Fashion Week.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQW281jg9dP/?taken-by=aidencurtiss&hl=en
She also looked damn good in a campaign for GAP.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQOkSY0ANB3/?taken-by=aidencurtiss&hl=en
The stunning looks of this model come from her African-American and Japanese heritage. She’s walked for Marc Jacobs, Anthony Vaccarello, Narciso Rodriguez and Prabal Gurung among others.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQTLKMoAuAr/?taken-by=aqua&hl=en
Aqua Parios grew up in Las Vegas before moving to Phoenix. She was discovered while shopping after cheerleading practice.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQa-xfCg6et/?taken-by=aqua&hl=en
Selena Forrest is on fire at the moment! This New York Fashion Week, she’s walked for Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger, Alexander Wang, Calvin Klein and Jason Wu.
She’s fierce and uncompromising in all her interviews – we rate her so much.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOAcea2DHj0/?taken-by=selenaforrest&hl=en