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Black Girl Magic is in full effect this year. With inclusivity being a hot-button topic amongst the beauty and fashion world, it’s hard not to turn the pages of your favorite fashion magazine or scroll through your Instagram feed without seeing a model who is a woman of color. Today more than ever we’re seeing more women of different shapes, sizes and color being represented in the fashion world-which was something not so common 10 or even five years ago.
From Victoria’s Secret to Sports Illustrated to your favorite runway stars, these are the 10 models of color that you’re gonna want to start following on Instagram today!
1. Danielle Herrington
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This year’s Sports Illustrated cover model got her start as a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Rookie model. Herrington has also modeled for Victoria’s Secret and was featured in an editorial for GQ. Knowing that she wanted to be a model since she was 8-years-old, Herrington, now 24, hails from Compton, California and started modeling at just 13-years-old but didn’t pursue it seriously until 2015.
2. Jasmine Tookes
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The commercial model is known for her campaigns with Ugg, The GAP, and DKNY. In 2015 Tooke’s was granted her wings as a Victoria’s Secret Angel. Although her mother worked as a stylist for 18 years, Tookes grew up a bit of a tomboy, playing softball and volleyball.
3. Ebonee Davis
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Davis may look familiar because she was a contestant on the 18th cycle of America’s Next Top Model. Despite placing in the top five she has achieved success in the industry appearing in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and having the opportunity to work with renowned photographers. Along with her modeling career, Davis focuses her efforts on academics amongst young girls. She is the creator of Honey Bees, a reading camp for 5th-grade inner-city girls.
4. Mamé Adjei
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Adjei didn’t get her start in modeling until after she graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and Africana Studies. The Ghanian beauty pageant winner first became known when she took home the title of Miss Maryland USA in 2015. Leaving her pageantry days behind shortly after, Adjei went on to compete in the 22nd cycle of America’s Next Top Model.
5. Duckie Thot
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Born in Australia, the South Sudanese model and occasional basketball player finished 3rd on the 8th cycle of Australia’s Next Top Model. Thot’s striking good looks landed her a contract with New York Elite Model Management. Thot, who has five other siblings is sisters with YouTube sensation Nikki Perkins.
6. Lais Ribeiro
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After her prolific runway work at the 2011 Sao Paulo Fashion Week, Ribiero has since established herself as one of today’s most prominent runway and fashion models. Today the mom of one is most notably known for walking and working with big name designers like Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Versace and Gucci. The Brazilian model also has proven herself off the catwalk as well and has graced the covers of Brazilian, American, Italian and German editions of Vogue magazine.
7. Jourdan Dunn
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Raised by her single mother, Dunn has become known for her outspoken demeanor. Since being discovered at the age of 16 at a local Primark by a scout from Storm Models, Dunn has continually spoken out on the difficulties faced by black models, including an incident in 2013 where she revealed a racist makeup artist refused to touch her skin. The 27-year-old mother of one has proven herself as a force to be reckoned with and has worked with brands like Prada, H&M and Calvin Klein and has appeared internationally in the pages of Vogue.
8. Mariama Diallo
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Is a Capetown, Africa native who often blogs about her life and modeling career through her Youtube channel. She works with Instagram popular clothing brand Fashion Nova and Frankies Bikinis.
9. Aya Jones
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Born and raised in Paris, Jones signed to her first contract by The Lions in New York after she was spotted on the Rue du Rivoli in Paris. Her claim to fame came in 2015 when she walked for Marc Jacobs and Moschino. She was also featured in Prada’s Pre-Fall campaign and has since walked for Valentino, Dior and Prada and made appearances for various luxury brands from around the world.
10. Khoudia Diop
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The self-proclaimed as the “Melanin Goddess” has been represented by the creative agency The Colored Girl. Diop began her modeling career in 2014 and was featured in a campaign called #BlendInStandOut for Makeup For Ever. The Senegalese beauty known for rich cocoa colored skin attended college in New York City to study business.
