Diversity is making strides on the runways. In New York and abroad. For Fall 2019, nine out of ten top models walking were women of color, making it possibly one of the most inclusive seasons ever and a sign that New York Fashion Week is trending towards a more inclusive world view.

This season’s top models were a mix of newcomers and supermodels. Hailing from the African nations of Angola and Nigeria, France, China and the U.S. The top models spanned the globe. One of the top performers even started modeling just to afford a NASA internship.

Mayowa Khaite
Mayowa Nicholas (The Society): 13 Shows
Originally from Nigeria, Mayowa Nicholas was the runway queen of New York for Fall 2019. She not only walked for the likes of Prabal Gurung, Jeremy Scott, Carolina Herrera, Tom Ford, Anna Sui, Michael Kors Collection, Marc Jacobs and more, she opened the Oscar de la Renta show and closed Khaite.
Image: Khaite Fall 2019
Cyrielle Lalande
Cyrielle Lalande (Wilhelmina): 13 Shows
The French beauty appeared in an impressive 13 New York shows this season. Brock Collection, Jeremy Scott, Carolina Herrera, Boss, Michael Kors Collection and Helmut Lang were just some of the presentations on her jam-packed schedule. She even had the honor of opening the Coach 1941 show.
Image: Coach 1941 Fall 2019
Hyun Ji Shin
Hyun Ji Shin (IMG): 12 Shows
Another familiar face, the former winner of Korea’s Next Top Model added 12 shows to her growing runway résumé. Tory Burch, R13, Coach 1941, Anna Sui, Proenza Schouler, Khaite and others cast her for their Fall 2019 shows. And her streak continued in London where she represented Victoria Beckham, JW Anderson and Christopher Kane.
Image: Tory Burch Fall 2019
Adesuwa Aighewi
Adesuwa Aighewi (The Society): 12 Shows
Despite modeling not being her top choice of profession (she only took her first gig to finance a science internship at NASA), this U.S. native is ruling the runways. In New York, Adesuwa Aighewi walked for Oscar de la Renta, Kate Spade New York, R13, Jeremy Scott, Tory Burch, Michael Kors Collection, Longchamp and the list goes on. She’s also one to watch on the street style front.
Image: Oscar de la Renta Fall 2019
Hannah Shakespeare
Hannah Shakespeare (Heroes): 12 Shows
U.K. native Hannah Shakespeare represented for Sies Marjan, Prabal Gurung, The Row, Oscar de la Renta, Brandon Maxwell, Tomo Koizumi … we could go on. The rising star on the catwalk is a relative newcomer, first making waves during the Spring 2019 season. Expect more big things to come.
Image: Sies Marjan Fall 2019
Sijia Kang
Sijia Kang (Elite): 12 Shows
The Chinese model was pretty busy in New York. From Brock Collection to Zimmermann to Sies Marjan to Tory Burch to Anna Sui and more, Sijia Kang racked up a lot of runway miles. She’s kept the momentum going over in London by walking for both Burberry and Preen.
Image: Zimmermann Fall 2019
Anyelina Rosa
Anyelina Rosa (The Society): 11 Shows
The Dominican beauty also scored 11 runway appearances. Tory Burch, Anna Sui, Boss, Brandon Maxwell, Michael Kors Collection and Carolina Herrera were just some of her runway conquests. Plus, she opened John Elliott.
Image: Michael Kors Collection Fall 2019
Fatou Jobe Ulla
Fatou Jobe (State): 11 Shows
The Bronx-born, Gambia-raised model racked up 11 shows in New York. Ulla Johnson, Brock Collection, Zimmermann, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Oscar de la Renta and Boss are just some of her runway highlights. And she’s on pace to slay the rest of fashion month since she’s already walked several shows over in London.
Image: Ulla Johnson Fall 2019
He Cong
He Cong (IMG): 11 Shows
No stranger to our top models list, the Chinese stunner walked 11 runways in the Big Apple this season. Kate Spade New York, Prabal Gurung, Tom Ford, Sies Marjan, Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta and Coach 1941 are just some of her Fall 2019 showings. She’s also proved popular across the pond with appearances at Erdem, Burberry, Mary Katrantzou and Victoria Beckham. Expect to see more of her in Milan and Paris.
Image: Tom Ford Fall 2019

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