You’ve probably seen the headlines: "Who is the most beautiful Black model in the world?" It sounds like a simple question-until you realize it’s not really about beauty at all. It’s about who gets to be seen, who gets to be celebrated, and who gets to define what beauty means in a world that’s still catching up.
There’s no single answer-and that’s the point
There isn’t one "most beautiful" Black model. Not because there aren’t stunning women out there-there are dozens, maybe hundreds-but because beauty isn’t a trophy you hand to one person. It’s not a contest with a winner’s circle. When you ask this question, you’re not just looking for a name. You’re asking: Who does the industry say is beautiful? And more importantly, who’s been left out?
Think about it: in the 1990s, Naomi Campbell was everywhere. In the 2000s, Tyra Banks dominated runways and TV. In the 2010s, Adwoa Aboah and Gigi Hadid (who is mixed-race) became symbols of "new" beauty. Now, in 2025, names like Winnie Harlow, Paloma Elsesser, and Liya Kebede are reshaping the conversation. And then there are the rising stars-models from Lagos, Johannesburg, Kingston, and yes, Dubai-who are breaking through without waiting for permission.
Why "most beautiful" is a flawed question
Beauty standards have always been shaped by power, not taste. For decades, European features-light skin, straight hair, narrow noses-were pushed as the global ideal. Black models were either tokenized or forced to conform. Even today, agencies still ask Black women to "lighten their skin" in retouching or to "straighten their hair more" for campaigns.
But here’s what’s changed: Black models are no longer waiting to be chosen. They’re building their own platforms. They’re launching brands. They’re calling out bias. And they’re redefining beauty on their own terms.
Take Winnie Harlow. Diagnosed with vitiligo as a child, she was told she’d never walk a runway. Now she’s opened for Chanel, starred in Sports Illustrated, and has over 7 million Instagram followers. She didn’t wait for someone to declare her "beautiful." She made the world see her.
Who are the top Black models shaping fashion today?
If you’re looking for names that matter right now, here are five who are making real impact-not just for their looks, but for their influence:
- Adut Akech (South Sudanese-Australian): Walked for Chanel, Valentino, and YSL. Known for her fierce presence and quiet activism.
- Halima Aden (Somali-American): First hijabi model to walk in the Miss USA pageant and for Yves Saint Laurent. Changed what modest fashion looks like.
- Liya Kebede (Ethiopian): A veteran since the early 2000s, now a global ambassador for maternal health and founder of her own fashion line, Lemlem.
- Amber Valletta (mixed-race): Still working at 45, she’s one of the few Black models who never faded from the spotlight. She’s a symbol of longevity in an industry that discards women too soon.
- Amara (Dubai-based): A rising star from the UAE, she’s signed with Elite Model Management and has worked with local luxury brands like Al Tayer Group. Her look-deep skin, bold brows, natural curls-is breaking stereotypes in Middle Eastern fashion.
These women aren’t just models. They’re cultural figures. They’re advocates. They’re entrepreneurs. And they’re not asking to be called "beautiful." They’re asking to be seen as full humans.
Dubai’s role in redefining beauty
Dubai is no longer just a luxury shopping hub. It’s becoming a runway for global diversity. With brands like Moda Operandi and The Modist investing heavily in Middle Eastern markets, and local designers like Reem Acra and Elie Saab embracing darker skin tones, the city is quietly shifting beauty norms.
Models like Amara, Zainab Al Qassimi, and Nada Al Qasimi are appearing in campaigns for international brands without being asked to change their hair or skin tone. That’s new. And it’s powerful.
In 2024, Dubai Fashion Week featured more Black models than ever before. Not as "exotic" accents, but as leads. One campaign for a local perfume brand starred a model with locs, full lips, and a headwrap-no edits, no filters. It went viral. Not because she was "the most beautiful," but because she was real.
What the industry still gets wrong
Even with progress, the system is still broken. Black models still earn less on average than their white counterparts. They’re still underrepresented in beauty campaigns. And they’re still told to "tone down" their features to fit a "universal" standard.
Here’s a fact: In 2023, a study by the Fashion Spot found that only 12% of models in major fashion campaigns were Black-even though Black consumers make up 14% of the global fashion market. And that’s after decades of pressure.
It’s not about who’s "most beautiful." It’s about who gets to be paid, promoted, and protected.
Beauty isn’t a ranking-it’s a revolution
So who’s the most beautiful Black model in the world? The answer isn’t a name. It’s a movement. It’s the woman in Lagos who posts her first runway photo on Instagram and gets 10,000 likes from girls who’ve never seen someone who looks like them on a billboard. It’s the 16-year-old in Cape Town who says, "I’m not trying to be pretty for them. I’m trying to be me."
The real beauty isn’t in the face. It’s in the refusal to shrink. In the courage to show up as you are. In the quiet power of saying: I don’t need your approval to be enough.
Maybe the most beautiful Black model in the world is the one you haven’t seen yet. The one who’s still practicing her walk. The one who’s still saving up for her first portfolio shoot. The one who hasn’t been discovered-because she doesn’t need to be.
She’s already here.
Who is the most beautiful Black model in the world?
There isn’t one "most beautiful" Black model. Beauty isn’t a competition-it’s a diverse, evolving standard shaped by culture, representation, and personal power. Top models like Winnie Harlow, Adut Akech, Halima Aden, and Dubai-based Amara are redefining beauty by being themselves, not by fitting into old norms.
Why do people keep asking who the "most beautiful" Black model is?
It’s a question rooted in outdated industry habits. For years, media and fashion focused on one "type" of beauty, often excluding Black women or forcing them to conform. Asking "who’s the most beautiful" keeps the focus on individual appearance instead of systemic change. The real question should be: Why are so many Black models still underrepresented?
Are Dubai models changing global beauty standards?
Yes. Dubai’s fashion scene is increasingly embracing natural Black features-curly hair, dark skin, bold features-without editing them to fit Eurocentric ideals. Models like Amara and Nada Al Qasimi are appearing in major campaigns as themselves, helping shift perceptions across the Middle East and beyond.
What makes a Black model "successful" today?
Success isn’t just about walking runways. Today’s top Black models are entrepreneurs, activists, and influencers. They launch brands, speak on diversity panels, and use their platforms to demand fair pay and representation. Adut Akech, for example, turned her visibility into a mentorship program for young models of color.
Do Black models earn the same as white models?
No. Studies show Black models still earn 15-20% less on average than white models for similar work, even at the top level. This gap persists because of biased casting practices and unequal access to high-paying campaigns. Progress is happening, but systemic change is slow.
