British Vogue’s New Cover Is Dripping In Melanin With 9 African Models

No, your eyes are not deceiving you. This is not a photoshop trick. British Vogue just pulled up with its most melanated issue, yet. The new February cover features nine of the industry’s top African models serving face for the fashion gawds.

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The models hail from across the continent, including Sudan, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Senegal. The models, including Adut Akech, Anok Yai, Nyagua Ruea, Janet Jumbo, and Maty Fall, disprove the myth that there could be “only one” in the spotlight. And, what we love most is the unapologetic celebration — especially where, even within our Black communities, lighter skin tones have historically been given preference over darker tones. (Of course, some folks are big mad, but they’ll get over it.)

“I saw all these incredible models from across Africa who were just so vivacious and smart,” said Edward Enninful, British Vogue’s editor-in-chief and European editorial director. “These girls are redefining what it is to be a fashion model.

“You know, fashion tends to follow waves,” he continued. “We’ve had the Brazilian wave. We had the Dutch wave, the Russian wave, the Eastern European wave… And while, in the last decade, the Black model has come to prominence, I love that we are finally giving more space to African beauty.”

And for those wondering about the lewks, the spread takes cues from fashion legends Grace Jones and Diana Ross so it is giving retro with a focus on radiant and glowing skin, geometric hair shapes, and oversized shoulders. Inside, the models pose it up in ’60s-inspired bouffant wigs coiffed by Virginie Moreira.

“Diana Ross in The Supremes and the majestic hair littered throughout that era in Black culture was important to me to convey,” said Moreira.

Enninful finished their looks in structured fits from Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, and Louis Vuitton.

See the full spread and article here.