Top 20 Influential African Americans in the Fashion Industry

Fall is here. And so is New York Fashion Week. Sometimes lacking in the fashion spotlight are the African Americans who have been pioneers in this industry. So while you pack away the sun dresses and replace them with scarves and sweater, take a look at some of the most influential African Americans in the fashion world.

Here’s 10 to get you started:

Andre’ Leon Talley: Former American Editor-at-large for Vogue

Robin Givhan: A former Washington Post fashion editor who now writes for The Daily Beast, Robin Givhan is the first journalist to win a Pulitzer Prize for criticism in fashion

Naomi Campbell:  Supermodel and the first black model to appear on American Vogue’s September issue

Iman: Iman is a model turned entrepreneur

Alek Wek: South Sudanese British model whose short hair cut and dark skin challenged the fashion industry when she arrived as a model

Bevy Smith: Social media maven, media director and creator of Dinner with Bevy

Felita Harris: Senior VP of Global Sales of Donna Karan International

Sam Fine: Celebrity make-up artist with clients such as Vanessa Williams, Halle Berry and Tyra Banks

Tyra Banks: Model,  entrepreneur, and mogul who hosts the reality modeling show America’s Next Top Model

Bethann Hardison: Former model who later owned her own model booking agency

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