Top 100 Africans
Alek Wek Sudan
Fashion & Design
Oluchi Onweagba Nigeria
Liya Kebede Ethiopia
With her unique look, Alek turned heads when she first appeared on the international modelling scene at the age of 19, back in 1995. Not being the stereotypical “beauty” prescribed on the international modelling scene, many believed she would not last. But enter 2011 and the former Sudanese refugee is still going strong. She inspires many African girls to say they are beautiful just as they are. Like her muse, Iman, Alek draws upon her experience as a refugee to help highlight their plight and is a member of the US Committee for Refugees’ Advisory Council.
Alphadi Niger
The most famous and successful model to come out of the annual FACE of AFRICA modelling competition, which she won in her first year, at the age of 17. Not only has the young Nigerian graced some of the world’s most famous fashion shows, including Victoria’ Secret Fashion Show, sharing the platform with other modelling greats such as Tyra Banks, she is one of Africa’s most prolific and sought-after beauty and fashion faces. Oluchi has been the face of L’Oréal cosmetics and Gap, on the cover of Italian Vogue, and walked the runway for Christian Dior, Chanel, Giorgio Armani and many others. She has been the main
“attraction” at African Fashion Week in South Africa and is a staunch supporter of African fashion designers. She has also set up her own modelling agency based in Johannesburg, South Africa, OModelsAfrica, to inspire and support young African girls into the industry.
The mother of two is an embodiment of the idea of going beyond beauty. Although she is one of the highest-paid African models and has graced the cover of Vogue magazine three times, Liya is a strong champion of child maternal health. She has served as the World Health Organisation’s Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health for the past six years. On the back of that, she also set up her own charity, the Liya Kebede Foundation, in Ethiopia, which is committed to ensuring that every woman, no matter where she lives, get access to life-saving care in
child-birth by, among other approaches, providing simple low- cost strategies, such as educating
health workers. In keeping with her line of work, Liya also runs her own women and children’s clothing line – LemLem
– which uses traditional Ethiopian
hand-woven material. She
set it up to help preserve the art of traditional weaving in
her country as well as create employment
opportunities for local artisans.
An understated award-winning African fashion designer – fondly called “Magician of the Desert” – his talent deserves accolades. Born Seidnally Sidhamed in Niger, Alphadi is the name behind the acclaimed International Festival of African Fashion (FIMA), held in Niger bi-annually. The FIMA brings African designers together with other international designers, who in the past have included the late Yves Saint Laurent, Jean Paul Gaultier, Paco Rabanne and many more.
“Not being the stereotypical ‘beauty’ prescribed on the international modelling scene, many believed Alek Wek would not last. But she is still going strong after 16 years. She inspires many African girls to say they are beautiful just as they are.”
24 | June 2011 New African
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