Top 15 Eastern African models that are killing it

They are judged from their skin color to whether you are the ‘model’ type; the list could go on forever.

There are a number of women, however, that have and still are fighting for the appreciation of being comfortable in your own skin which has ultimately changed the way a lot of people perceive beauty.

A good number of those women happen to be from Eastern Africa who are changing the face of beauty and living out their dreams.

Here’s a list of the top ten Eastern African models that have successfully broken the stereotypes and absolutely representing and killing it for East Africa.

1.Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid

Though this Somali-born supermodel no longer graces the fashion runway, it would definitely not be an East African model list without Iman in it.

Iman was discovered at the University of Nairobi by Peter Beard and soon after moved to the United States to model for Vogue back in 1976 – and since then she has garnered up numerous magazine covers and worked with world famous designers throughout her career.

She is also a business woman owning a cosmetics company known as Iman Cosmetics and a clothing line known as Global Chic.

2.Ajuma Nasenyana

Kenyan model Ajuma was born in Lodwar, Turkana and was discovered at the Miss Tourism Kenya competition in 2003 by Lyndsey McIntyre of Surazuri Modelling Agency.

Things have not been the same for Ajuma since then as she went on to participate in New York fashion week alongside Naomi Campbell and Alek Wek for designers such as Baby Phat and Carlos Mienes.

3.Alek Wek

Alek Wek is a South Sudanese British model that was discovered outside a market by a Models 1 scout.

She is best known for not conforming to the ideal perception of beauty.

She has modelled for Ford Models, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein as well as Christian Dior.

4.Aamito Lagum

Aamito Lagum is a Ugandan model who rose to fame after winning the first season of Africa’s Next Top Model.

Since winning Africa’s Next Top Model, Aamito has been featured on magazines such as ESJ Magazine and Elle South Africa.

She has also worked with Vogue editors Anna Wintour and Franca Sozzani.

On top of that, she has walked the runway for designers such as Paul Smith, Lacoste and Marc by Marc Jacobs.

5.Ataui Deng

Ataui Deng is a 23 year old Sudanese-American model who has walked the runway for world famous designers such as Diane Von Furstenberg, Oscar De La Renta and Mugler.

She has also graced the cover of Harper’s Bazaar, Teen Vogue and American Vogue.

She is also the niece to Alek Wek.

6.Ajak Deng

Ajak Deng is a Melbourne-raised Sudanese that has walked for Luis Vuitton and Chanel. She has also graced campaigns for Top Shop, KENZO, Kate Spade and Calvin Klein.

Deng flew from Sudan during the war with her siblings and took refuge in Australia where she began modelling to provide for her family.

The 25 year old apparently still faces racial issues within the fashion industry that she consistently tries to break.

7.Malaika Firth

Malaika Firth is a Kenyan-British model that is signed to Premier Models Agency and is currently based in New York.

Malaika’s mother is apparently the one that called up Premier Models to let them know of her daughter’s modelling credentials.

She has walked the runway for Prada and became the second black model to star in a Prada advert since Naomi Campbell in 1994.

8.Flaviana Matata

Flaviana is a Tanzanian fashion model and beauty queen. She was born and raised in Shinyanga, Tanzania and won the first edition of Miss Tanzania back in 2007.

Flaviana was discovered by Russel Simmons who helped her secure modelling interviews before eventually being signed by NEXT.

Aside from working with NEXT she works with Wilhemina Models and Boss Models South Africa.

9.Gelila Bekele

Gelila Bekele is an Ethiopian model and social activist.

She has a contract with Ford Models and has been featured in fashion magazines such as Lucky, Essence and Allure.

She has also been in a relationship with Tyler Perry since 2009 and have a son together.

10.Fatima Siad

Fatima is a fashion model best known for coming in third on Cycle 10's America's Next Top Model.

She is from Somalia and has worked for magazines such as Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan and Harper's Bazaar.

She has also walked for the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in the Spring/Summer 2009.

11.Herieth Paul

She is a Tanzanian model that has walked for numerous designers including Lacoste and Tom Ford.

She was discovered during an open call a modelling agency in Ontario, Canada at the age of 14.

In addition to that she is the Maybelline New York Brand Ambassador.

12.Liya Kedebe

Liya Kedebe is an Ethiopian born model that got her first big break when Tom Ford asked for an exclusive contract for his Gucci Fall/Winter 2000 fashion show.

Special mention:

13. Anjili Laura

She is a freelance Kenyan model best known for her nomination as the 2017 Kenya Female Top Model.

14.Deliah Ipupa

Deliah Ipupa is a Kenyan model best known for being the Face of Nivea Black and White

15.Bidanya Barassa

Bidanya Barassa is best known for being M-Nets's second Face of Africa in 1999.