Six African supermodels are redefining what global fashion is, from runways to campaigns of world’s most coveted luxury houses. Mayowa Nicolas, Anok Yai, Adut Akech, Imaan Hammam, Maty Fall, and  Alek Wek are not just breaking barriers but setting new ones, reshaping how African identity is perceived on global stage and joining the ranks of the most iconic fashion models contributing positively to global fashion. 

Mayowa Nicolas ( Nigeria)

Photo – brandonmaxwell

A 28 year old Model, born on May 22,  1998 from Lagos, Nigeria. She was first scouted on the streets of Lagos at the age of 14. Mayowa had her official debut when she joined and won the Elite Model Look Nigeria competition in 2014. Her first major global project runway season was in 2015 where she walked for Balmain & Balenciaga, Calvin Klein, Kenzo, Hermés, Acne Studio, and others. Her breakthrough milestone came in 2016 when she became the first-ever Nigerian model to star in a Dolce & Gabbana campaign. She made her official debut on Victoria’s Secret in 2018.

Other high-profile designers she has walked for include Prada, Chanel, Versace, Saint Laurent, and Michael Kors.

Mayowa is currently ranked among the Top 50 models known for her lethal razor-sharp runway walks, and elegance.

Anok Yai (South Sudan)

Photo – Instagram 

Born on December 20, 1997 to a South Sudanese parents. She was born in Cairo, Egypt and raised in New Hampshire, USA. She was discovered when a street-style photographer took a picture of her at Howard’s University’s Homecoming and it went viral on Instagram. 

She got signed by Next Models and her first major booking was opening the Prada Fall/Winter 2018 Show, making her the first Sudanese model and the second Black woman in history after Naomi Campbell to ever open Prada show

Anok Yai has walked for high-profile designer brands like Louis Vuitton, Tom Ford, Chanel, Mugler, Fendi, and Versace. She is known for her striking, hypnotic gaze, porcelain-smooth dark skin and iconic walk. 

Anok  recently returned to the spotlight as the cover of British Vogue 2026 after she was diagnosed with life-threatening congenital lung defect last year.

Adut Akech (South Sudan) 

Photo – dreamstime

From a refugee camp to the global stage. Adut was born on December 25, 1999 in South Sudan, raised in a refugee camp in Kenya and later moved to Adelaide, Australia.

She started walking at small local shows organised by her aunt at age 12 in Australia before signing with Chadwick Models at age 16. Her journey to global stardom began after she landed a runway exclusivity deal with Saint Laurent for the Spring/Summer 2017 show. Shortly after, she became the second Black model to ever close a Chanel Haute Couture Show as the “Chanel Bride.”

Other high-profile designers she has walked for include Valentino, Dior, Versace, Prada, Givenchy, and Alexander McQueen.

She has bagged 16 international Vogue covers in record time. Also known for her commanding runway presence and using her platform to heavily advocate for refugees worldwide.

Imaan Hammam (Morocco) 

Photo – Instagram

Imaan was born on October 5, 1996 to a Moroccan mother and Egyptian Father descent. She was raised in Amsterdam, Netherlands. 

She was discovered at age 13 by a modeling scout while walking through Amsterdam Central Station. Imaan had her debut on the runway by opening the Givenchy Spring/Summer 2014 show as an exclusive. Her breakthrough followed in 2014 when Anna Wintour placed her on the highly covered September Cover of American Vogue.

She has walked for Alexander McQueen, Versace, Fendi, Jean Paul Gaultier, Jacquemus, and Victoria’s Secret.

She is known for her signature voluminous natural curls, rich North African features, and she’s serving as the global ambassador face of cosmetics giant Estée Lauder. 

Maty Fall (Senegal) — Maty Fall Diba

Photo – tagwalk

Maty Fall’s career took off in 2019 when she made a move. Born on May 1, 2001 in Dakar, Senegal. She moved to Chiampo, Italy at age 9. Her career started when she directly submitted her own digital Polaroid photos through the IMG Models online scouting portals in 2019 and got signed a few months after.

Her first project was walking as a semi-exclusive for Saint Laurent’s Spring/Summer 2020 show.  She launched into editorial stardom that same season when designer Pierpaolo Piccioli chose her to close the Valentino SS20 show.

Maty has also dominated the global stage as an African model walking for Chanel, Dior, Fendi, Max Mara, Schiaparelli, and Versace.

The Senegalese-Italian is known for her extreme runway versatility and has held a rare industry record for walking 37 elite shows in a single fashion month in September 2020.

Alek Wek (South Sudan)

Photo – vogue

The South Sudan model was born on April 16, 1997 in Wau. She belongs to the Dinka ethnic group but fled to London in 1991 to escape the Sudanese civil war.

At the time she was discovered by chance at age 18 while walking through outdoor Crystal Palace Market in South London by a model scout, she was studying fashion at the London College of Fashion.

She had first commercial projects in 1995, where she starred in high-profile music videos, including Tina Turner’s James Bond theme “GoldenEye.” Her industry milestone came in 1997 when she became the first-ever African model to land the cover of Elle Magazine. This single cover radically challenged Western beauty ideals. In 2004, she made history as the first Black model to close a Chanel Haute Couture show as the iconic “Chanel Bride.”

Alek has walked for Chanel, Alexander McQueen, Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, Ralph Lauren, Givenchy, Fendi, Marc Jacobs, and the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.

She is known as a trailblazer who single-handedly revolutionized global beauty standards in the late 1990s by bringing dark skin, natural Dinka features and shaved head to the luxury fashion mainstream. Praised by icons like Oprah Winfrey and Lupita Nyong’o for changing how Black women see themselves, she is actively using her platform as a prominent UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador to champion refugee causes worldwide.

Oversized clothing has moved far past the borrowed from the boys era. Today, wearing something a size or three bigger than yours is now a style statement, and more people are doing it with intention. From structured blazers to flowy skirts, here are five ways to pull it off.

The Oversized Blazer Set

Photo: Instagram/@medlinboss

A full oversized suit works best when the tailoring feels balanced. Wear the blazer and trousers in the same colour. A single-breasted tailored jacket with classic notched lapels paired with wide-leg trousers featuring a sharp front crease is a good starting point. Layer a button-down shirt underneath and add a necktie. When everything is in one colour family from head to toe, the volume stops feeling like too much. Finish with pointed-toe stiletto heels.

Oversized Trouser

Photo: Instagram/@Drrorisang

Balance is everything here. A crisp, fitted white long-sleeve button-up shirt with a sharp pointed collar tucked into high-waisted, wide-leg pleated trousers keeps things proportional. A black belt, dark sunglasses, and black pointed-toe pumps are enough to round it out.

Oversized Shirt with Shorts

Photo: Instagram/@Msketrah

An oversized shirt does not have to be worn loose and long. Take any shade of long-sleeve button-up collared shirt with big sleeves and tuck the hem partially into high-waisted structured shorts. Belt it with a thin leather belt to break up the volume. Keep the makeup neutral a soft smoky eye and a glossy nude lip, and carry a structured bag. Small oval sunglasses with a gold frame and simple gold earrings are enough.

The Oversized Skirt

Photo: Instagram/@Simimoonlight

When the bottom half carries the volume, keep the top simple. Any colour of top paired with a high-waisted flared skirt with heavy gathering and a puckered hem is the right combination. Keep the makeup simple a glossy brown lip. Chunky layered bracelets and necklace for jewellery. Neutral-coloured platform shoes work well here because they ground the volume without getting lost under the skirt.

The Oversized Sweatshirt

Photo: Instagram/@Africanjawn

Layer a white collared shirt underneath the sweatshirt and let the collar and shirt hem peek out. A graphic sweatshirt over a white collared shirt, paired with wide-leg trousers keeps the relaxed silhouette consistent. Carry a small white top-handle bag. The smaller bag balances out the bulk of the sweatshirt. For jewellery, gold rings and hoop earrings are enough.

Oversized dressing was never about hiding. It is about knowing where to add structure and where to keep the fit loose. Get that right, and every extra inch works in your favour.

The Ojude Oba Festival 2026 is around the corner, and Farooq Oreagba, popularly known as King of Steeze, took to his Instagram page on May 16 to declare his readiness, sharing a series of pictures in traditional attire with a caption, “The countdown has begun. Every year, it’s my time, God dey by my side and it’s my time to shine. Y’all have no idea what’s coming this time … let’s go.” His outfit carried the richness associated with Yoruba ceremonial fashion.

Photo – Instagram

He wore a structured Agbada set woven from Asó-Oké fabric by Nigerian house designer Deji & Kola. The outer robe draped over his shoulders like a structured cape, with navy blue and burgundy pinstripes. This was layered over a rich indigo Bùbà highlighted by a zig-zag embroidery pattern in the chest area. His accessories gave the attire a sharp finish. He wore a matching pinstripe Fìlà, pleated and tilted neatly to the side. He wore translucent aviator glasses and a long metallic black necklace layered over his chest. To anchor the entire look, he held a dark walking cane with an ornate gold handle to match his diamond ring. 

Photo – Instagram

The Ojube Oba Festival is a grand annual cultural celebration translated as “The King’s Forecourt,” which dates back more than a century, held in the ancient town of Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State, Nigeria. Thousands of attendees gather annually to pay homage to the traditional ruler of the Ijebu people, the Awujale of Ijebuland. The festival comes three days after Eid al-Kabir (Ileya).

Photo: Instagram

The festival has evolved from just a local religious gathering of horsemanship, heritage, and age-group precessions, into one of Africa’s most celebrated displays of fashion, culture, and equestrian pride. This edition is expected to take place on Friday, May 29, 2026.