In a British Vogue first, nine African models star on the cover of the magazine, showing how far the industry has come with regards to representation. Adut Akech, Anok Yai, Majesty Amare, Amar Akway, Janet Jumbo, Maty Fall, Nyagua Ruea, Abény Nhial and Akon Changkou are, according to editor-in-chief and European editorial director Edward Enninful “redefining what it is to be a fashion model” in a seismic shift that is long overdue. Here, each bright talent sheds light on their journey so far and what made them fall for fashion in the first place.
Adut Akech
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South Sudanese-Australian Adut, 22, burst onto the scene as a Saint Laurent exclusive for spring/summer 2017 and has racked up numerous Vogue covers and campaigns since. She is arguably the most successful African model working today.
Favourite fashion memory so far: Attending the 2018 Met Gala with Valentino.
Your best fashion advice: Wear what makes you happy!
The one piece of fashion you can’t live without: Little bags and sneakers are the must haves in my closet.
The item on your ultimate fashion wish-list: Vintage Chanel and Dior pieces – a dream!
Something you only know if you were on the Vogue shoot: Edward styled the shoot!
Amar Akway
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Twenty-one-year-old Ethiopian Amar has been brightening up catwalks since the spring/summer 2020 season, and has scored glossy campaigns for Moschino and Max Mara along the way.
Favourite fashion memory so far: The first time I met and worked with Steven Meisel.
Your best fashion advice: To be myself and be kind to people.
The one piece of fashion you can’t live without: I cannot live without my boots.
The item on your ultimate fashion wish-list: A vintage Dior jacket.
Something you only know if you were on the Vogue shoot: I was dancing to music the whole time...
Majesty Amare
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American model Majesty, 24, exploded onto the spring/summer 2022 runway scene, racking up appearances at Michael Kors, Versace, Chanel and Louis Vuitton, and is set for another great season ahead.
Favourite fashion memory so far: Opening the Lanvin spring/summer 2022 show.
Your best fashion advice: “Confidence, natural, strong” – Mandy Lieveld.
The one piece of fashion you can’t live without: Shirts since they’re socially acceptable.
The item on your ultimate fashion wish-list: Anything Versace.
Something you only know if you were on the Vogue shoot: Everything works better when you forget that everyone’s watching.
Akon Changkou
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Australia’s Akon, 24, was booked as an exclusive for Louis Vuitton during the spring/summer 2020 season and has never looked back, modelling for all the big-name brands in the fashion weeks since.
Favourite fashion memory so far: Opening Louis Vuitton and my new campaign for N°1 De Chanel.
Your best fashion advice: Wear what makes you comfortable and feel confident!
The one piece of fashion you can’t live without: A little black dress.
The item on your ultimate fashion wish-list: A Tank Louis Cartier Watch in yellow gold.
Something you only know if you were on the Vogue shoot: The craziness and managing to shoot with so many models at once.
Maty Fall
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Senegalese-Italian model Maty, 19, made her catwalk debut for Saint Laurent spring/summer 2020 in a black sequin blazer and closed the Valentino show that season wearing an undulating white tulle gown that drew audible gasps from the audience. Her status as a model to watch was cemented right there and then.
Favourite fashion memory so far: Shooting the Vogue Italia December 2021 issue with my best friends, that will be forever in my heart. It’s always a pleasure to shoot with Rafael [Pavarotti].
Your best fashion advice: Don’t prioritise fashion over comfort.
The one piece of fashion you can’t live without: My Prada bag.
The item on your ultimate fashion wish-list: A Prada leather jacket from the spring/summer 2022 collection.
Something you only know if you were on the Vogue shoot: Probably the amount of fun we had shooting it; the creativity and the memories.
Janet Jumbo
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Janet, 18, was the first Nigerian to walk for Louis Vuitton during the autumn/winter 2019 season and her star has been in the ascendant ever since.
Favourite fashion memory so far: The first show I walked for Louis Vuitton.
Your best fashion advice: Invest in shoes and accessories over ready-to-wear fashion.
The one piece of fashion you can’t live without: Bags!
The item on your ultimate fashion wish-list: A Louis Vuitton duffle bag!
Something you only know if you were on the Vogue shoot: Shooting with a cast of other Black girls is the best thing ever; the energy on set is by far one of the greatest things I’ve ever experienced.
Abény Nhial
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Abény’s Insta handle is “be kind & spread love”, which says as much about the rising Australian model, 21, as you need to know. Watch this space: Sarah Burton’s team were quick to snap her up for the Alexander McQueen spring/summer 2022 show.
Favourite fashion memory so far: Honestly, all my experiences in fashion have been memorable and such a blessing. However, my favourite so far would have to be shooting this British Vogue cover with the most beautiful women and working with the legendary Edward and the Vogue team. Another recent favourite memory of mine was walking the McQueen spring/summer 2022 show.
Your best fashion advice: I don’t think I’m an expert when it comes to fashion. I probably need fashion advice myself.
The one piece of fashion you can’t live without: Gold jewellery!
The item on your ultimate fashion wish-list: That is a tricky question; the one that I can think of right now is probably the gold love bracelet, with diamonds, from Cartier.
Nyagua Ruea
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South Sudanese beauty Nyagua, 20, is BFFs with Maty and Adut (check out their recent trip to Mexico) and her smile brightens up the international street-style circuit.
Favourite fashion memory so far: My fave fashion memory is walking the Valentino spring/summer 2021 show in Paris; there were at least 20 Black girls in the show and at least 10 of them were South Sudanese. It was a dream show for me and such a moving moment to experience.
Your best fashion advice: To play with colours! For someone who was always scared to look “bright” all the time, including more colours in my looks has been life-changing.
The one piece of fashion you can’t live without: My little black Telfar bag. I love the simplicity of it and somehow I can fit my entire life into it.
The item on your ultimate fashion wish-list: I have a few items on my wish-list but my number one is the black Balenciaga boots from the spring/summer 2022 show – I am obsessed and will definitely be getting myself a pair soon.
Something you only know if you were on the Vogue shoot: For the first time in the history of my modelling career, we had an all-Black team, from the photographer and stylist to the make-up artist, hair stylist, set designer and of course the models. Getting to experience this first hand was such a moving moment. I hope we can get more of these moments in the future.
Anok Yai
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America’s Anok Yai, 24, made headlines when she became the second Black model after Naomi Campbell, and the first South Sudanese woman, to open a Prada show during the autumn/winter 2018 season.
Favourite fashion memory so far: My favourite fashion memory so far is this past year’s Met Gala. It was one of my favourite looks that Carlos [Nazario] and I put together, and attending with one of my favourite jewellery designers, Ana Khouri, made it all the more special.
Your best fashion advice: Layer, lightly accessorise and always have a good bag.
The one piece of fashion you can’t live without: Diamonds and my vintage leather jacket. And my shades – I can’t live without my shades.
The item on your ultimate fashion wish-list: It’s impossible for me to pick just one! But off the top of my head, Mugler’s spring/summer 1998 couture collection and Alexander McQueen’s spring/summer 1998 collection – both in their entirety! It’s safe to say I’m obsessed.
Something you only know if you were on the Vogue shoot: We were blasting African music on set – it makes me feel at home in front of the camera.
The February 2022 issue of British Vogue is on newsstands on 18 January
