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Favourite Top African and Black Models
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Sam Fine and his muse Tyra Banks 
scanned by me from US Vogue 1995
fab article from Essence, enjoy it highlights in bold 
Tyra Company: from the runway to the movie set, Tyra Banks has staying power - and business sense
Essence , feb 95
In recent years, the ubiquitous supermodel has become the "glamorina" in demand--dashing around the globe from photo shoots to fashion shows to personal appearances to movie sets. Capitalizing on every inch of their leggy assets, many supermodels are parlaying their head-turning looks and taking-care-of-business acumen into enviable empires. Perhaps the supermodel who epitomizes this fashion phenomenon is Tyra Banks--or "Miss Tyta," as she's called by the fashion cognoscenti who sit ringside at the shows and cheer her on.
In three short years, the 21-year-old Californian--now the proud CEO of her own company, Tygirl, Inc.--has "parlayed" more than many models do in an entire career. For starters, she commands thousands per fashion show, has a lucrative exclusive contract with Cover Girl Cosmetics, and has embarked on a high-profile acting career. Last year she landed a continuing role as Will Smith's ex-girlfriend Jackie on NBC-TV's The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and this month she makes her film debut in Higher Learning, directed by her real-life other half, John Singleton.
"I wanted to be an actress, director and producer long before I became a model," she explains between takes at a fashion shoot, in a lilt that blends her inglewood beginnings and Los Feliz, Los Angeles, private-school finishings. "By the time I got the role on The Fresh Prince, I had already turned down lots of other parts." In fact, Tyra almost turned down the role of Deja, a college track runner, in Higher Learning. "At first I felt that everyone would think I got the part because John is my boyfriend," she explains hesitantly. "But I do have talent as an actress, so eventually I decided the part was right for me. Sometimes it's very difficult because I have to balance two very stressful careers."
Still deeply tanned from the three months she spent in Los Angeles filming Higher Learning, at the moment Tyra looks very relaxed. Having recently returned from Japan, where she spent time with her 27-year-old brother, Devin (an Air Force firefighter stationed in Okinawa), she's dangling her long limbs--she's five feet ten and a half inches tall--lazily from a makeup chair. She is waiting for one of her favorite makeup "divos," Sam Fine, to paint her oval face, hazel-green cat-shaped eyes and pouty mouth. Rest assured, the final look will be distinctly Tyra--part homegirl, part femme fatale and completely bankable.
Preparing for her role as the optimistic Deja proved much more grueling than waiting for blush or runway cues. "I had to train for five weeks, five hours a day, with a UCLA track coach," Tyra says, flexing her slender yet muscular arm. Deja (named after one of Singleton's Siamese cats) is a sunny, optimistic student who brings a ray of light to the life of her embattled boyfriend, Malik (played by Omar Epps of Juice fame).
Singleton says he knew he had his Deja when he spotted Tyra on the June 1993 cover of Essence. He then arranged an audition for her. Somewhere along the helter-skelter casting process, Tyra and John became friends, add soon they fell in love. "I tend to be very intense, but she brought out the lighter side in me," Singleton remembers. "She made me laugh."
Tyra's whimsical nuances on the runway have also distinguished her from the hordes of hopeful models who flood Paris every year. Before 1991, however, she was just another unidown teenager who thought she gave "good face." She decided to give modeling a try before enrolling at L.A.'s Loyola Marymount University as a film major. "My mom thought it would be good for me to see another part of the world before I went to college."
Little did they know this 17-year-old would leave the Paris "fashionistas" head over heels. In a matter of two weeks, the unknown "Miss Tyra" made history by booking an unprecedented 25 fashion shows for the collections. After ber runway "performances" garnered rave reviews, covers for German Cosmopolitan, Spanish Elle and Amica followed.
Bethann Hardison, founder and president of Bethann Management Company, Inc., in New York City (and herself a former runway diva), explains the Tyra phenomenon best: "she works the runway like the Black beauties from the 1970's--the Pat Clevelands, the Alva Chins, the Billie Blairs. Or the Black models you see in church fashion shows. Tyra knows her role on the runway: She entertains but at the same time she knows that she's there to sell. And she does just that."
Of her catwalk "role models," Tyra says she was influenced most by Sonia Cole, Dalma and the legendary Iman. "I would watch them on CNN's Style With Elsa Klensch and practice how to walk." Suffice it to say, these impromptu struts in her mother's pumps obviously paid off: Tyra has become the new queen of the runway--from London to Tokyo to Milan to Paris and, of course, New York.
Last year Tyra also became the second Black model (Lana Ogilvie was the first) under contract with Cover Girl Cosmetics. "It's long overdue that Black models receive the same benefits as White models," Tyra says. "But I still don't make as much as the White supermodels do."
Nor has Tyra's ascension to supermodel status been a Cinderella story. From day one, she says' she has been pitted against rival model Naomi Campbell. "No model should have to endure what I went through at 17," she recalls somberly. "It's very sad that the fashion business and press can't accept that there can be more than one reigning Black supermodel at a time. People compared us everywhere I went, so there was constant tension between us."
It has been reported that Naomi wouldn't speak to Tyra backstage at fashion shows, that she banned her from a Chanel show and even threatened to leave Elite Models (both models were previously with the same agency) if Tyra wasn't dropped.
It was this eight-month-long "catwalk fight" in Paris that inspired Tyra to beg her mother, Carolyn London-Johnson, to become her business manager. Luckily Mom agreed and left her position as a medical photographer with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratories. Last year, Tyra says, she called a truce with the Naomi ordeal and also changed model agencies. (She is now with IMG Models.)
"I've detached myself from the nonsense that goes along with being a Black model in this business," Tyra says. "I think things will change for the Black models who come after us. They won't have to feel so insecure about losing their spots.' They'll benefit from our pain."
No pain, no gain? One thing is for sure: At least one African-American high-school student has gained from the Tyra Banks Scholarship, which she initiated last January at her alma mater, Immaculate Heart High School. "I was very privileged that my mother and father [her dad, Donald Banks, is a computer consultant] sent me to private school. I want other African-American girls who can't afford it to experience that kind of education."
Slipping out of the slinky Xully Bet dress she donned for our photo shoot, Tyra puts on her standard street gear: baggy overalls, T-shirt and sneakers. Taking a moment to ponder her future, he quips, "Even when I'm 50 and no longer modeling, everyone will still refer to me as `Tyra the model.' Once a model, always a model."
Or better vet: Once a supermodel, always an enterprise.
Deborah Gregory, an ESSENCE contributing writer, strolled a few catwalks herself in Paris and Milan during the early eighties.
scanned by me from US Vogue 1995
fab article from Essence, enjoy it
highlights in bold Tyra Company: from the runway to the movie set, Tyra Banks has staying power - and business sense
Essence , feb 95
In recent years, the ubiquitous supermodel has become the "glamorina" in demand--dashing around the globe from photo shoots to fashion shows to personal appearances to movie sets. Capitalizing on every inch of their leggy assets, many supermodels are parlaying their head-turning looks and taking-care-of-business acumen into enviable empires. Perhaps the supermodel who epitomizes this fashion phenomenon is Tyra Banks--or "Miss Tyta," as she's called by the fashion cognoscenti who sit ringside at the shows and cheer her on.
In three short years, the 21-year-old Californian--now the proud CEO of her own company, Tygirl, Inc.--has "parlayed" more than many models do in an entire career. For starters, she commands thousands per fashion show, has a lucrative exclusive contract with Cover Girl Cosmetics, and has embarked on a high-profile acting career. Last year she landed a continuing role as Will Smith's ex-girlfriend Jackie on NBC-TV's The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and this month she makes her film debut in Higher Learning, directed by her real-life other half, John Singleton.
"I wanted to be an actress, director and producer long before I became a model," she explains between takes at a fashion shoot, in a lilt that blends her inglewood beginnings and Los Feliz, Los Angeles, private-school finishings. "By the time I got the role on The Fresh Prince, I had already turned down lots of other parts." In fact, Tyra almost turned down the role of Deja, a college track runner, in Higher Learning. "At first I felt that everyone would think I got the part because John is my boyfriend," she explains hesitantly. "But I do have talent as an actress, so eventually I decided the part was right for me. Sometimes it's very difficult because I have to balance two very stressful careers."
Still deeply tanned from the three months she spent in Los Angeles filming Higher Learning, at the moment Tyra looks very relaxed. Having recently returned from Japan, where she spent time with her 27-year-old brother, Devin (an Air Force firefighter stationed in Okinawa), she's dangling her long limbs--she's five feet ten and a half inches tall--lazily from a makeup chair. She is waiting for one of her favorite makeup "divos," Sam Fine, to paint her oval face, hazel-green cat-shaped eyes and pouty mouth. Rest assured, the final look will be distinctly Tyra--part homegirl, part femme fatale and completely bankable.
Preparing for her role as the optimistic Deja proved much more grueling than waiting for blush or runway cues. "I had to train for five weeks, five hours a day, with a UCLA track coach," Tyra says, flexing her slender yet muscular arm. Deja (named after one of Singleton's Siamese cats) is a sunny, optimistic student who brings a ray of light to the life of her embattled boyfriend, Malik (played by Omar Epps of Juice fame).
Singleton says he knew he had his Deja when he spotted Tyra on the June 1993 cover of Essence. He then arranged an audition for her. Somewhere along the helter-skelter casting process, Tyra and John became friends, add soon they fell in love. "I tend to be very intense, but she brought out the lighter side in me," Singleton remembers. "She made me laugh."
Tyra's whimsical nuances on the runway have also distinguished her from the hordes of hopeful models who flood Paris every year. Before 1991, however, she was just another unidown teenager who thought she gave "good face." She decided to give modeling a try before enrolling at L.A.'s Loyola Marymount University as a film major. "My mom thought it would be good for me to see another part of the world before I went to college."
Little did they know this 17-year-old would leave the Paris "fashionistas" head over heels. In a matter of two weeks, the unknown "Miss Tyra" made history by booking an unprecedented 25 fashion shows for the collections. After ber runway "performances" garnered rave reviews, covers for German Cosmopolitan, Spanish Elle and Amica followed.
Bethann Hardison, founder and president of Bethann Management Company, Inc., in New York City (and herself a former runway diva), explains the Tyra phenomenon best: "she works the runway like the Black beauties from the 1970's--the Pat Clevelands, the Alva Chins, the Billie Blairs. Or the Black models you see in church fashion shows. Tyra knows her role on the runway: She entertains but at the same time she knows that she's there to sell. And she does just that."
Of her catwalk "role models," Tyra says she was influenced most by Sonia Cole, Dalma and the legendary Iman. "I would watch them on CNN's Style With Elsa Klensch and practice how to walk." Suffice it to say, these impromptu struts in her mother's pumps obviously paid off: Tyra has become the new queen of the runway--from London to Tokyo to Milan to Paris and, of course, New York.
Last year Tyra also became the second Black model (Lana Ogilvie was the first) under contract with Cover Girl Cosmetics. "It's long overdue that Black models receive the same benefits as White models," Tyra says. "But I still don't make as much as the White supermodels do."
Nor has Tyra's ascension to supermodel status been a Cinderella story. From day one, she says' she has been pitted against rival model Naomi Campbell. "No model should have to endure what I went through at 17," she recalls somberly. "It's very sad that the fashion business and press can't accept that there can be more than one reigning Black supermodel at a time. People compared us everywhere I went, so there was constant tension between us."
It has been reported that Naomi wouldn't speak to Tyra backstage at fashion shows, that she banned her from a Chanel show and even threatened to leave Elite Models (both models were previously with the same agency) if Tyra wasn't dropped.
It was this eight-month-long "catwalk fight" in Paris that inspired Tyra to beg her mother, Carolyn London-Johnson, to become her business manager. Luckily Mom agreed and left her position as a medical photographer with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratories. Last year, Tyra says, she called a truce with the Naomi ordeal and also changed model agencies. (She is now with IMG Models.)
"I've detached myself from the nonsense that goes along with being a Black model in this business," Tyra says. "I think things will change for the Black models who come after us. They won't have to feel so insecure about losing their spots.' They'll benefit from our pain."
No pain, no gain? One thing is for sure: At least one African-American high-school student has gained from the Tyra Banks Scholarship, which she initiated last January at her alma mater, Immaculate Heart High School. "I was very privileged that my mother and father [her dad, Donald Banks, is a computer consultant] sent me to private school. I want other African-American girls who can't afford it to experience that kind of education."
Slipping out of the slinky Xully Bet dress she donned for our photo shoot, Tyra puts on her standard street gear: baggy overalls, T-shirt and sneakers. Taking a moment to ponder her future, he quips, "Even when I'm 50 and no longer modeling, everyone will still refer to me as `Tyra the model.' Once a model, always a model."
Or better vet: Once a supermodel, always an enterprise.
Deborah Gregory, an ESSENCE contributing writer, strolled a few catwalks herself in Paris and Milan during the early eighties.
Gypsy_Doll
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OMG Honorine is simply animalistic! In a good way! I want her lips!
D
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OMIFAN9 said:Hmmm,something I haven't seen on this page,so tell me do you track her work?! I just can't place her.
well i dont understand the track and place in the above statement...care to explain?
D
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oh...actually i dont know wat mags she has been in her career seems to be restricted to NY/LA havent seen her in any major mags.
Gypsy_Doll
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It's sad that there was only one black model on American Vogue this season. Where was Mimi Roche? And I don't mean to keep bringing this up again, But I don't think Chanel would be as popular if she wasn't half Asian. It's like if you're multi-racial your a hit.
A little OT but it is amazing that the goverment had the "one drop rule " meaning that if you had one drop of black blood than you are black !! It is funny that now that it is better for certain groups we have a mixed race category??? Educate yourself on the mixed race category mess!! Now you're no longer black but a mix race? LOL Puh-leeze.
A little OT but it is amazing that the goverment had the "one drop rule " meaning that if you had one drop of black blood than you are black !! It is funny that now that it is better for certain groups we have a mixed race category??? Educate yourself on the mixed race category mess!! Now you're no longer black but a mix race? LOL Puh-leeze.
simplylovely
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Gypsy_Doll said:
I'm not sure I agree with all of what your saying. Yes, I agree Mimi, Marie Fuema, Ajuma should all have a vogue cover long before Chanel came onto the fashion scene. But Chanel definitely deserves the cover for this season because she's been the most talked about and as done many many shows for well known designers. Whether you like the young girl or not she continues to do her thing on the runway and now she's starting to get more eds for big names in fashion. Give props when props are due! As for the black/mixed comment, even if she a 3/4's black or whatever she doesn't have a problem being called a black "supermodel." Why should she? We're all mixed with something, just because someone has a dark chocolate skin tone and thick, dark or kinky hair doesn't mean both their parents are of African descent! She should be proud to be called black and carry it with style and grace. Though those names I mentioned should be more famous (and in some ways still are) , Chanel is still in her prime and seems like the only person to represent all types of black beauty in this very stereotypical fashion industry. Don't be so harsh on your own kind, there are very few African/African American models who have had as much success (unfortunately) as Chanel. She can improve on whatever she needs to improve on, but its too early in the game for her to get this much criticism.
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Gypsy_Doll
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I never said there was a problem with her calling herself black. It's just the "mixed race" comments I don't get. I just don't get the whole "mixed race" category being thrown around these days especially if one self-identifies as black, people still try to take that away from them. "No you're not black, your a mutt!". I just don't get it. Don't mean to sound afro-centric, argumentative, or anything.
I won't go further into that. I was just ranting a bit. Don't mind me.
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simplylovely
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MicheleIman
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^ Gaye is beautiful.
As for the still discussed Chanel on the cover of Vogue issue. Everyone agrees that alot of other models should have been there. But when has a model cause such buzz? Negative and Positive? Think about it, and by Anna placing her on the cover it caused more buzz and helped her horrible Vogue get some much needed press. Some models get their spotlight overnight, others have to wait and work hard for it, that is how it goes.
As for the still discussed Chanel on the cover of Vogue issue. Everyone agrees that alot of other models should have been there. But when has a model cause such buzz? Negative and Positive? Think about it, and by Anna placing her on the cover it caused more buzz and helped her horrible Vogue get some much needed press. Some models get their spotlight overnight, others have to wait and work hard for it, that is how it goes.
crow_watcher
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If Anna wanted to create a "buzz" try having 3 black models on the cover. Na...if that were to happen we probably wouldn't see another black woman on the cover for...
simplylovely
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^ I totally agree with you there crow watcher!
MicheleIman
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^ She probably figured that with Chanel you get two for the price of one. Have any asian models grace the pages of Vogue?
She probably figured that with Chanel you get two for the price of one. Have any asian models grace the pages of Vogue?
