Top 5 Rising Black Models

Chanel Iman and Jourdan Dunn are steadily taken over where Naomi and Iman left off but we have a few gorgeous girls who are on their tails - it's a beautiful thing! These five girls are lighting up the runway from New York to Paris! Capturing coveted beauty contracts, open and closing shows, top magazine cover pages - you name it - these rising stars have done it!

#5 Kinée Diouf
This Senegal stunner has shifted through a few agencies now stopping at VIVA but it has not stopped her from walking for a few high-end Paris based designers such as Givenchy, Vivienne Westwood, Lanvin and Yves Saint Laurent.

Also booking a Benetton and Diesel ad campaign. Her gorgeous skin even landed her a M.A.C cosmetics ad! She broke out in the New York scene walking for DVF, Proenza Schouler and Luca Luca.

#4 Aminata Niaria
Another Senegal beauty was discovered not by a photographer but Alber Elbaz of Lanvin! She immediately became his muse and debuts in his 2006 Spring collection - Aminata has been high flying ever since! Walking for Roberto Cavilli, Dries Van Noten, Louis Vuitton and Vivienne Westwood.

She has been all over the Paris and Milan catwalks before debuting at New York Fashion Week for Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, Vera Wang, Proenza Schouler and a few others within 2 seasons! Aminata has also walked in 3 Couture shows: Jean Paul Gaultier, Guy Laroche and Christian LaCroix!! Did I mentioned she was only discovered 3 years ago!?!

#3 Georgie Baddiel
Born in Burkina Faso, Georgie signed with Storm in London in 2007 walking for Duro Olowu and others but doesn't break out until 2008 when she signed with Muse Management in New York. That year she does an editorial for French magazine Biba and walks down DVF's, Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton and Chado Ralph Rucci in New York and Paris!!

After only one year Georgie closes for 3.1 philim lim and Halston! While also walking for Bottega Veneta, Dries van Noten and others. Georgie Baddiel is #3 because in a short span of time her star is shinning super bright!

#2 Ubah Hassan
This new IT girl is perhaps the most beautiful woman to have come out of Somalia after Iman! In 2007 Ubah signs with Click Management in New York later that year she books an editorial with Allure magazine and named model of the week by Model.com before her first runway debut!! Ubah debuts in top fashion by closing for Ralph Lauren's spring collection - closing on her runway debut!!! She then becomes the face of Ralph Lauren!

In 2009 Ubah walked for Ralph Lauren and Oscar de la Renta. Her resume may be short but anyone who is anyone in fashion knows that there are two coveted contracts to seal your financial future in fashion: Victoria Secrets and Ralph Lauren. Ubah already has one!

#1 Arlenis Sosa
Arlenis honestly needs her own post - I will consider this for later. This woman is an absolute stunner! Hailing from the Dominican Republic - same as Oscar de la Renta - Arlenis is taking the fashion world by storm. Here's her fashion sheet:

1. Scouted by designer in the Dominican Republic
2. Signs to Marilyn Agency in New York on the spot!
3. 2-weeks later books editorial for Vogue and Italian Vogue (Yes, the all black issue)
4. Month later becomes the new face of Lancome
5. Walks for Christian Dior resort
6. Open and closes Oscar de la Renta
7. Anna Wintour tells her she will attend the MET ball and wear Oscar de la Renta!
8. Opens Bottega Veneta spring show in Milan
9. Walk Victoria Secret Annual Fashion Show
10. Does another Vogue editorial with photographer Patrick Demarchelier
11. Closes Oscar de la Renta pre-fall show

All of the above happened in 2008!!

In 2009 Arlenis walks for DVF, Narcisso Rodriguez, Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta, Bottega Veneta and Tommy Hilifiger. She's also the cover girl for Vogue Germany's May issue!

I predict the new trio: Jourdan Dunn, Arlenis Sosa and Chanel Iman!