They walk the runways for fashions biggest brands, starring in some of the most innovative and ground-breaking campaigns across the world. There have been a rise of African models in the fashion world, these models are the top African models who are  blazing the trails globally; earning their place in the history of fashion.

10. Flaviana Matata, Tanzania

Flaviana Matata is a Tanzania top model who won the maiden edition of Miss Universe Tanzania pageant in 2007 and she went on to represent Tanzania at the Miss World Universe pageant that same year where she came sixth. Matata won the first edition of the Miss Universe Tanzania pageant in 2007, and went on to represent her country in the Miss Universe pageant the same year, where she ended up in 6th place after the evening gown competition. She has featured in many magazine covers Dazed & confused, Glass Magazine and L’Official, also Flaviana Matata has done runway modelling for brands like Mustafa Hasssanali, Vivienne Westwood and so many more. In March 2011 she won the Model of the Year award by Arise Magazine at Lagos Fashion Week.

9. Betty Adewole, Nigeria

At age 21 Betty Adewole has already featured for Tom Ford cosmetic line and she has featured on top fashion shows like Alexander McQueen to Stella McCartney and Givenchy. Nigeria-British model Betty Adewole is currently signed to IMG and she has been compared with the legendary Naomi Campbell she is one the sought after model in the fashion industry. She has been tipped by Fashion lovers to succeeded because of her very different uniqueness

8. Ajak Deng, Sudan

This Australian base model Ajak Deng, was born in Sudan. Her first international modeling jobs included an advertisement for United Colors of Benetton and fashion shows for Valentino, Lavin, Givenchy, Chloé, Maison Martin Margiela, Dior, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Oscar de la Renta, Alexander Wang, and Marc by Marc JacobsThe 25-year-old model is being represented by FRM Model Management and have appeared in Calvin Klein fragrance campaign and modeled for many couture labels.

7. Fatima Siad, Somalia

Her first international modeling jobs included an advertisement for United Colors of Benetton and fashion shows for Valentino, Lavin, Givenchy, Chloé, Maison Martin Margiela, Dior, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Oscar de la Renta, Alexander Wang, and Marc by Marc Jacobs. Siad is currently signed with New York Model Management in New York City as well as with Munich Models In Munich, Germany. She used to be signed with IMG Models in New York City, Paris, Milan, and London, and Ace Models in Athens, Greece. She has appeared on the cover of Colures Magazine. She has been on the cover of Front Page Style the May 29, 2009 issue. Siad has appeared in editorials for American and Spanish Vogue, Elle, Australian and Indonesian Harper';;s Bazaar, Marie Claire, and Cosmopolitan.

6.  Liya Kebede, Ethiopian

Ethiopia born Supermodel Liya Kebede has graced the fashion industry with her immense talent, she was introduced to a french modelling agent by a film director. Kebede major breakthrough came when Tom Ford personally selected her for his Gucci show Supermodel Liya Kebede has become the first black woman to grace the cover of Vogue in five years she has also been seen on the covers of Italian, Japanese, American, French and Spanish Vogue, V, Flair, i-D and Time’s Style & Design. In 2005, Kebede was appointed as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. In 2007 Forbes identified her as the eleventh-highest-paid top model in the world.

5. Maria Borges, Angola

Born on October 28, 1992 in Angola Maria Borges is a top model who has walked lot of runways, done so many advertisements and pose for several magazines. Maria was discovered in 2010 when she placed second at the Angolan edition of the contest Elite Model Look. She was named Forbes Africa Magazine';;s top model of 2013. Maria Borges has walked runways for Ralph Lauren, Versace, Tom Ford, Emporio Armani, Victoria’s Secret, Giorgio Armani and featured on adverts for C&A, Givenchy, H&M, Oscar de la Renta and Tommy Hilfiger. She was once a Givenchy exclusive.

4. Oluchi Onweagba, Nigeria

Oluchi Onweagba journey into modeling world started when she won the M-Net “Face of Africa” in 1998, from there she moved to New York City and has done lot of modeling jobs. The supermodel was born and raised in Lagos. Oluchi Onweagba has walked the runway for, John Galliano, Christian Dior, Chanel, Giorgio Armani, Victoria’s Secret for seven years consecutively which is a very big achievement. featured in Nylon, Marie Claire, Allure, Pop and national editions of Vogue around the world.

3. Candice Swanepoelol, South Africa

She is known for her work in Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 2009, 2011 and 2014 and has walk the runway for Tommy Hilfiger, Dolce and Gabbana, Fendi, Channel, Christian Dior, Stella McCartney, Viktor and Rolf, Givenchy. In 2010 Candice modeled for Kardashians swimwear line and in 2013 she was chosen to wear “Royal Fantasy Bra” one of the most expensive bra. Candice Susan Swanepoel came 10th on the Forbes top-earning models list in 2012 with estimated earning of$3 million between 2010 and 2012.

2.  Alek Wek, Sudan

Alek Wek is a Sudanese Super model and a designer who started her fashion career at the age of 18 in 1995. She was born in South Sudan but fled the country to Britain during the civil war. While in London Wek enrolled in London’s College to study fashion business and technology. Alek Wek has advertised and catwalks for for Issey Miyake, Moschino, Victoria’s Secret, Clinique, Shiatzy Chen, John Galliano, Chanel, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Jasper Conran, xander McQueen, Givenchy, Armani, Fendi and Christian Dior. In 1997 Alek won MTV model of the year, and “Model of the Decade” from i-D.

1.            Agbani Darego

Agbani Darego is a Nigerian beauty queen, a model and the first native Sub-Saharan African to win Miss World in 2001. Following her stint at Miss Universe, Agbani was invited by supermodel Naomi Campbell to participate in Frock ‘n’ Roll a charity fashion show in Barcelona, from there she landed a three-year contract with L’Oréal making her the second black model to achieve such feat.

Agbani Darego has also modeled for Avon, Christian Dior, Sephora, Target and graced the covers of Elle, Marie Claire, Allure, Trace, Stitch, Cosmopolitan, Essence magazines, Complete Fashion, Mania, ThisDay, Style, Genevieve, True Love, and TW Magazine. She appeared in advertising campaigns for hair care brand Gentle Touch with model Oluchi.