1. Liya Kebede – Ethiopia
Hailing from Addis Abbas Ethiopia, Liya Kebede was discovered by a film director while attending school at the French Lycee.
In 2009, Forbes ranked Liya Kebede as the 11th highest earning supermodel in the world, having earned $2.5 million dollars in 12 months.
Also a talented actor, Liya Kebede took on the role of Waris Dirie, goat herding tribal nomad turned international supermodel, in the movie Desert Flower.
2. Ajak Deng – Sudan
Sudanese-Australian model Ajak Deng has walked for Jean Paul Gaultier, Chloe, Givenchy and Lanvin, in New York and Paris since her Melbourne Spring Fashion Week debut in 2008.
At age 12, violence forced Ajak and her family to flee Sudan for Australia where, inspired by fellow Sudanese Model Alek Wek Deng began building her modeling career.
3. Ataui Deng – Sudan
Born in Khartoum, Sudan, Ataui Deng immigrated to San Antonio, Texas before signing to Trump Management in New York City.
Ataui Deng made her runway debuts for the spring Jeremy Laing, Kai Kuhne, L’Wren Scott, Proenza Schouler and Zac Posen shows in New York.
Famed photographer Steven Meisel personally requested to work with her.
Recently Atuai Deng closed the spring Lanvin show in Paris, alongside Ajak Deng, Jeneil Williams, Melodie Monrose, and Jourdan Dunn –
4. Yasmin Warseme – Somalia
Yasmin Warsame ( ياسمين ابشير ارسام) was born in Mogadishu, Somalia and immigrated to Canada when she was 15 years old. Her first modeling job was for a Sears Catalog and her first big breakthrough came with a feature for Italian Vogue, by Steven Meisel.
Yasmine Warsame has worked for Next Toronto/Montreal, Next Paris, Next London, IMG New York, View Barcelona and Tony Jones Amsterdam.
She has been on the covers of Vogue Italia and American Vogue, American and British Elle, andAmica and Surface magazines and has modeled for Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Escada,Hermès, Shiseido, Chanel, GAP and H&M.
5. Betty Adewole - Nigeria
At 5’11″ Betty Adewole grew up in the U.K and is originally from Nigeria.
Betty Adewole has been featured in V and French Revue de Modes and walked for Issey Miyake, Emanuel Ungaro, Maison Martin Margiela and Loewe.
6. Alek Wek – Sudan
Born to the Dinka tribe, Alek Wek was forced by civil war to flee her homeland of Southern Sudan. She would be “discovered” at a street fair in London. The rest, as they say, is history. Alek has since been named
* “Model of the Decade” by i-D magazine
* one of People’s “50 Most Beautiful People”
* “50 Most Influential Faces in Fashion” by i-D and Frank magazines.
* one of People’s “50 Most Beautiful People”
* “50 Most Influential Faces in Fashion” by i-D and Frank magazines.
7. Atong Ajork – Sudan
Born on October 5 , 1985 in California , the Sudanese-American model has been gaining momentum since breaking into modeling for names like Lacoste, Heatherette, Diane von Furstenberg, and Phillip Lim. - Dark Bohemia
8. Flaviana Matata – Tanzania
Flaviana Matata won Miss Universe Tanzania in 2007 and represented Tanzania in the Miss Universe pageant where she placed in the Top 15 semifinalists and ended up in 6th place. She was the first contestant from Tanzania to compete at Miss Universe 2007, and compete with a shaved head.
9. Ubah Hassan - Somalia
Born in Somalia, Ubah Hassan immigrated to Canada at age 10. After signing to Click Management in New York, Ubah Hassan appeared in Allure editorial, Italian Vogue and has walked for Ralph Lauren in New York.
“Ubah is 5’11”, measurements: bust 32”, waist 24”, hips 34”. Practically speaking, the vast majority of women can’t look like Uban Hassan if they tried.” -
10. Yaya Dacosta – U.S.A
DaCosta was born in Harlem, New York and is of Brazilian, West African, Native American/Cherokee and Irish ancestry.
After finishing 2nd on Cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model, YaYa DaCosta has a successful career in modeling and acting, appearing in advertisements for Garnier Fructis, Lincoln Townhouse,Oil of Olay, Radioshack, Seda, Sephora and Dr. Scholl’s.
She has also appeared in American Vogue, L’Officiel and on the cover of W.
SOURCE: http://www.modelsandmoguls.com/2011/01/22/10-top-african-supermodels/