EMMY VIEIRA
- Dec 14, 2020
- 9 min read

POC models you need to know

What’s POC?

POC stands for "Person of colour" or "People of colour" It's commonly used in America to refer to individuals with skin tones that differ from white Caucasians. The acronym is often used online and in text messages when describing the experience of a member of a minority group.

Ever since the beginning, in the middle 19 century, the fashion industry as we know has focused on European woman with caucasian facial features and desirable body portions. Season after season, runways have been flooded with predominately Caucasian models, a creative decision that sends a bizarre message: “Fair skin sells clothes.”

Here are some of my favorite POC models. Girls who I believe deserve more recognition and, in smalls steps, are changing the industry- for the better.

ANOK YAI

The American model was born in Cairo, Egypt, on a Sudanese family. When she was only two-years-old, she moved to Manchester, New Hampshire. After graduating from high school, she attended Plymouth State University. She was studying biochemistry, and intend to become a doctor. During the homecoming, a photographer took a picture of her, and it went viral on Instagram. Weeks later, she signed with Next

She became the second black model to open a Prada show, after the legendary Naomi Campbell: "Me, opening for one of the top fashion houses is a statement to the world — especially for black women — that their beauty is something that deserves to be celebrated” she said in an interview for Vogue.

Ever since her debut, in 2018, she booked major campaigns such as Fendi, Alexander McQueen, Prada, MaxMara, Tom Ford, and Versace. With a total of 23 covers, she booked eight Vogue covers. She’s currently ranked at models.com “top 50”.

Instagram: @anokyai

SHERRY SHI

There isn’t much information available about the American model. She started her career in 2018, and so far has booked more than 30 shows, including big brands like Chanel, Alexander Wang, Mugler, Celine, Acne, Givenchy, Versace, and Valentino.

She hasn’t booked many campaigns yet, only a Marc Jacobs Fragrances and H&M Halloween 2019. But I’m sure we’ll see a lot about her in the future.

Instagram: @sherryramsayshi

HE CONG

He Cong (pronounced hee kong) was born in the Hunan region, China, in 1995. She started to model in 2013, and soon walked her first show, Valentino; “I moved to Shanghai for school, so I could major in fashion and design. Valentino came to Shanghai to host a special show in 2013, and I was selected to open and close the show... that led me to give modelling a try".

Ever since, she walked more than 400(!!!!) shows, including Chanel, Hermes, Dior, Salvatore Ferragamo, Versace, MaxMara, Fendi, Burberry, Alberta Ferretti and Alexander McQueen. So far, she has three vogue covers and is currently ranked at models.com “top 50”.

Instagram: @heconghc

NYKHOR PAUL

Nykhor, whose full name is Nykhor-Nyakueinyang Paul, was born in South Sudan, in 1989. Of Nuer ethnicity, her family escaped to Ethiopia, where she grew up as a refugee. With help from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Nykhor moved to the United States in 1998.

With almost 10 years of career, the model did major beauty campaigns, like Tom Ford, Origins, and Colourpop. Walking more than 140 shows, she collects huge names like Naeem Khan, Calvin Luo, Area, Lemaire, Vivianne Westwood, Iris Van Herpen, Rick Owens, and Zimmermann.

In 2014, she reunited with her family after 16 years apart. She’s also an activist! Her foundation, We Are Nilotic, promotes peace and unity among the 64 tribes of South Sudan.

Instagram: @nykhor

ALLANA SANTOS BRITO

The Brazilian model started her career this year, after being scouted at the beach. Two months later, she was doing her first job ever: A JW Anderson show, in London.

After that, she walked Prada, Versace, Sportmax, Valentino, Alexander McQueen, and Jacquemus. 2021 will definitely be her year and I cannot wait to see more of her!!

Instagram: @allanabritoo

MIKA SCHNEIDER

Mika is a French-Japanese model, born in the capital of fashion, Paris, and raised all over the globe (to be more specific: Tokyo, Paris, Moscow, and southern India). In her first season, she walked 27 shows, being ranked as one of the top newcomers. In her second season, Vogue listed her as one of the "Top 15 Models of Spring 2020" and wrote: "with her delicate features and graceful presence, Schneider was unlike anyone else on the runway".

So far, she has two vogue covers, both Vogue Japan. And booked campaigns from Zara, Saint Laurent, Hermes, and Versace. She’s currently ranked at models.com “hot list” Instagram: @mikaschndr

MONA TOUGAARD

Mona was born in Aarhus, Denmark, and is of Danish, Somali, Ethiopian, and Turkish descent. She was scouted at age 12. Three years later, she won the Elite Model Look Denmark contest and was a finalist in the global competition. Tougaard debuted as a Prada exclusive in 2019, starting her career on the very top.

With only 17 years, she is one of the most demanded models of the moment, working with Prada, Louis Vuitton, Loewe, Chanel, Max Mara, Chloé, and Ports 1961. With five covers in total, she has a Vogue (Japan Janaury 2021) and three I-D (Fall 2019; Winter 2019 and Safe + Sound).

Right now, she’s listed at models.com Breakout Star list and ranked at “top 50”. Instagram: @mona_tougaard

AMRIT

Unfortunately there’s isn’t a lot of information about her. All we know she was born in India, 1998. She moved to Paris in late 2019 from her hometown, Kapurthala. Her way was quickly paved with a coveted editorial for Vogue Paris. Recently, she covered Vogue India.

About her quick climb in the fashion world, she says: “The kind of place where I come from, Punjab, and to be on the cover of Vogue, I don’t think anyone would ever think I would be that girl; I'm just being myself"

Amrit has walked for Chloé, Dior, Sportmax, Alberta Ferretti, Fendi and Jacquemus. She also booked three campaigns for Fenty and a cover in Porter Magazine. She’s currently ranked at models.com “hot list”

Instagram: @lavieislit

SIJIA KANG

The 22-years-old Chinese model started her career in 2017. After working in her home country, she started her international career walking for top brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Valentino, and Rodarte.

Daniel Robson, director of Premier Model Management said about her: “Sijia's look represents everything modern and relevant to casting today. She has hit the industry at exactly the right moment and is set to soar." And he was right: So far, she booked campaigns with Fenty, Marc Jacobs, Lena Crawford, and Doublove. Three years after starting her career, she walked for more than 170 shows and has one vogue cover.

Instagram: @kangsji

SKARLA ALI

Same as Amrit case, there is not a lot of information about her, unfortunately. She’s a French model who debuts at Miami fashion week in 2019. Her career begins with a very commercial approach, but has conquering HF space lately: walked for Jacquemus, Alberta Ferretti, Valentino, Bluemarine, Ports1961, Prada, Burberry, and opened Philosophy S/S 2021.

She also appeared at Louis Vuitton Resort 2021 and Maison Margiela campaigns. Not bad for a beginning, right?

Instagram: @skarla_ali

TANG HE

She was born in 2000 in Jilin province, China. Her first show outside her home country was for Tom Ford. “It’s a show that so many models wanted to be in and I got it on my first try, so I’m very grateful,” she says. “I love modeling. It gives me the chance to wear so many beautiful clothes and I’m so grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given.”

She is always seen on Miu Miu ads, such as pre-fall 2020, eyewear Spring 2020, cruise 2020, F/W 2019, and S/S 2020. In February, she covered her first Vogue. When asked what she would be doing if she wasn’t a model, she answers: After I model, I have a little dream to be a baker—to make cake and bread. She’s currently ranked at models.com “hot list”

Instagram: @tanghe_001007

MATY FALL DIBA

The 19-years-old Senegalese-Italian model walked more shows than any other model at the last season, S/S 2021. About this season, she says: “Has been so much more chills, you had time to do things… Last season was crazy, I was running everywhere!” she laughs! In F/W2020, she walked for huge brands, such as Versace, Salvatore Ferragamo, Fendi, Prada, MaxMara, Lanvin, Saint Laurent, and Givenchy.

In less than three years of her career, she walked more than 50 shows and book huge campaigns: Dior Resort 2021, Burberry F/W 2020, Dior F/W 2020, and Prada F/W 2020 “I feel like everything for me is still so new, everything is just [the best] job. Being able to wake up and do this is a dream”. In February she covered her first vogue and she’s currently ranked at models.com “hot list”.

Instagram: @dibaamaty

UGBAD ABDI

Ugbad was born in Somalia, in 1999, and raised in Kenya, at a refugee camp. She later moved to Iowa, US. She was scouted through Instagram and later visited New York for the first time to meet with agency representatives, and signed with Next Management. She made her runway debut at Valentino and, in the same year, opened Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors. She has also walked major shows like Chanel, Miu Miu, Fendi, Burberry, and Max Mara.

Abdi is Muslim and was the first Fendi’s and Lanvin’s model to walk the runway wearing a hijab. She has impressive four Vogue covers, including Vogue US and Vogue Italia (I’m already can see her completing the big four). She’s currently ranked at models.com “top 50”.

Instagram: @iamugbad

SAMILE BERMANNELLI

Born in Salvador, Brasil, the 22 years-old was discovered by entering a local modeling content. She started her career in 2016 and has walked more than 130 shows, such as Balmain, Dolce & Gabanna, Brandon Maxwell, Ralph & Russo, Ellie Saab, Miu Miu and Off-White.

Her last campaign was Dolce & Gabanna Fall 2020. In 2017, she walked at Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, along with many Brazilian models, like Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Gizelle Oliveira. She has one vogue cover.

Instagram: @samille

SACHA QUENBY

If you’re a great follower of my Twitter, for sure you recognize her name. The 19-years-old British model got scouted while shopping with her mom in Oxford Street, London. With less than two years of career, she manages to stabilize herself as one of the most in-demand models in the industry; she walked for Hermes, Isabel Marant, Chloé, Acne, Ports 1961, Hugo Boss, Versace, MaxMara, Etro, Tod’s and Alexander McQueen- only to name a few.

Her first-ever campaign was for Loewe F/W 2020; after that, she booked campaigns for Versace, Ports 1961, and Zara. She’s currently ranked at models.com “hot list”

Instagram: @sachaquenby

NORA ATTAL

The Moroccan-British model was born in London, 21 years ago. Nora was discovered by a photographer, Jamie Hawkesworth, who cast her for a JW Anderson ad. After that, her career didn’t stop! So far, she walked more than 200 shows, including Chanel, Dior, Jacquemus, Alexander McQueen, Altuzarra, Paco Rabanne, Lanvin, Missoni, Moschino, Prabal Gurung, and Oscar de la Renta.

She booked a Burberry campaign on her first year as a model and later did campaigns for Zara, Versace, Loewe, Chanel, and Alexander McQueen. She has four vogue covers, including a British Vogue. She’s ranked at models.com “top 50”

Instagram: @noraattal

ASHLEY RADJARAME

“I wanted to be perfect”, reflects Ashley Radjarame before her first-ever runway show, Prada S/S 2020. “After walking I believed maybe this was made for me”. The 20-year-old was born in France. She was scouted while studying in London when her MA approached her. Ashley's first campaign was also for Prada! The Resort 2020 Campaign was shot by Drew Vickers and Keizo Kitajima.

She walked for more exactly eleven shows. Eleven huge shows: Louis Vuitton, Paco Rabanne, Chloé, Acne, Lanvin, and, obviously, Prada. She’s currently ranked at models.com “hot list” and will probably be one of the most in-demand models in 2021

Instagram: @ashleyradjarame

KUKUA WILLIAMS

The British model started her career in 2018, making her runway debut at Miu Miu S/S19! She walked 48 shows so far, including Celine, Stella McCartney, Carolina Herrera, Giambattista Valli, Valentino, Dior, Missoni, Alberta Ferretti, and Longchamp.

She was recently booked at Versace Jeans Couture F/W 2020 Campaign. If you want to know more about her, I highly recommend her open letter at love magazine

Instagram: @kukuawilliams

AWENG CHUOL

The South-Sudanese model was born in a refugee camp in Kenya, and grew up in Australia. She was discovered while working at a McDonald's and made her runway debut at Vetements’ F/W 2018. Part-time model, she attends law school and is ready to graduate next year.

She also worked with War Child and Children in Conflict and spend her 21st birthday speaking at the UN’s mental health forum, in efforts to increase conversations around the mental health of refugees: “I feel like my last three birthdays I have been doing some amazing things and I want to continue that,” she says. “Getting to speak in front of international bodies on mental health – especially mental health in refugee girls – is something that I am anticipating". She’s currently ranked at models.com “hot list” Instagram: @awengchuo

ADUT AKECH

Adut Akech is one of the most popular models right now. Her runway debut was as an exclusive in the Saint Laurent S/S 17 and, to this day, appeared in more than 19 Vogue covers(!!!), including Vogue US, Vogue Italia, Vogue Paris, and British Vogue. Yes, she completed the big 4 at only 20 years old.

Adut was born in South Sudan but was raised in Kakuma, Kenya. When she was 7 years old she moved away from Kenya along with her mother to Adelaide, Australia as a South Sudanese refugee. In December 2019, she won the 'Model of the Year' award at the British Fashion Awards. She’s currently ranked at models.com “top 50”.

Instagram: @adutakech

Important mentions: Models who were able to surpass a white-centered industry and became idols in the fashion world

Maria Borges & Fei Fei Sun