Africa’s top models making waves in the international modelling scene

Like many children of the 90s, I was obsessed with the ‘supers’. This almost-affectionate term was given as an abbreviated name to big supermodels, such as the ‘top five’Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista and Claudia Schi er, and other runway models who were the beacon of the fashion industry at the time. The frenzy that surrounded them was unmatched considering we lived in a world devoid of social media. Most of the girls I knew had lofty dreams of being one of them.

The most iconic quote that lives rent free in my mind is Linda Evangelista’s backstage interview with Vogue during the 1990 Fashion Week: “We don’t wake up for less than $10 000 a day.” The physical criteria to become a supermodel was as strict as it could be. And only a few of those chosen reached the rarefi ed heights of icon status. When Kate Moss broke into the industry at a height of 1.69m as opposed to the standard of her counterparts of 1.77m it gave many young girls the hope that they too could potentially be a runway model.

lifestyle

Exclusive Q&A with Netflix Personality, Model, and Influencer Tolú Ekundare

But it took more than height and so called good looks to make it as a model. Unique features, the ability to morph into any required character as dictated by the designers, and that elusive IT factor were some of the essential criteria needed to make it big. Another huge determining factor was your race. At the time, Naomi Campbell was one of the very few women of colour that was able to achieve supermodel status before the likes of models like Tyra Banks. However, the fashion and beauty industry has seen a significant shift towards more inclusivity.

We see true diversity on the runways with every Fashion Week show. There has been a veritable number of black models that have garnered icon status, most famously Alek Wek, Adut Akech and Anok Yai. Locally, our top exports are Candice Swanepoel and Behati Prinsloo (famously married to Maroon Five frontman, Adam Levine), both of which made names for themselves as Victoria’s Secret Angels and have careers spanning more than two decades. Beyond our famous veterans, there are some fresh faces on the runway— some of which have graced the pages of GLAMOUR. These three young African models are making a name for themselves in international modelling.

Princess Claudia Cherylie

I had the privilege of working with Princess on a beauty feature for GLAMOUR and it has been exciting to see the upward trajectory of her career. At just 23 years old, the Burundi native moved to Cape Town to pursue her modelling career. She recently featured in the latest Louboutin Beauty ad campaign and walked in the Loewe and Valentino’s SS24 runway shows. Her work also includes brands Issey Miyake and Ermanno Scervino.

Summer Thompson

Having featured in the pages of GLAMOUR and many other publications, Summer has been modelling for years and is now working across the world. Now 27 years old, she most recently walked for Oscar de la Renta’s Pre-Spring show, Chloe’s SS24 show and was in a campaign for Kenzo. This August she also starred in a fashion editorial in the pages of L’Officiel Arabia.

Chane Husselman

Chane made her modelling debut in GLAMOUR! From working with her on her first fashion editorial, it wasn’t very long before the Bloemfontein beauty was flown to Europe to walk for some of the biggest houses in the fashion world. Her portfolio includes walking for Ellie Saab, AZ Factory and Pamella Roland.

Top Models