The Minorities But Totaly Major Top Male Models - From Vladimir to Philip Huang

Every time the topic of racism gets brought up to the discussion in fashion a lot of people seem to act like the Vancome Lady –they just simply ignore it. Supermodel Naomi Campbell one time slammed ethnic exclusion attitude of the industry too. For many seasons now there was almost an alarming non presence of non-white or ethnic models on the shows with occasional token appearances of Chanel Iman, Hye Park for women and Philip Huang for men. If the situation of racism is worst on female models could you image how bad it is on male models who already playing second fiddle to women in fashion industry. So I decided to compile and post some of the top male models that became successful in spite of being ethnic. You are welcome to add some of the names I failed to mention.


Philip Huang

Californian born and now a New Yorker, Philip Huang is one of the top male models working right now. He’s agency is Public Image Worldwide. He is constantly appears on GQ editorials and L’Uomo Vogue. He used to be on the top male models list at Models.com, I don’t know why he’s not there anymore because I still see him in a lot of shows and editorials.

Tyrone Lee

Agency : Request

Alex Manning

Alex Manning was the Philip Huang of the 90’s. He was in every show and featured in many editorials. He appeared as one of the male models that were killed at the gas station explosion accident in the movie Zoolander. He still modeling but I think he is concentrating on his acting career now.

Sean Gordon

Will Lemay

Canadian born Will Lemay was born to black and white parents in Ottawa, Canada. He started modeling in Toronto but the small market its small market wasn’t enough to establish him to be a top model. He decided to move to New York.
. He encountered a series of rejections until he met Steven Wilkins, a booker at Ford Models.
After signing with Ford, However, Lemay was getting antsy signing on and, after a full six months, there were still no bookings. Finally, designer John Bartlett asked Will to open his 1997 Fall/Winter New York collection, and from that day forward Will's career skyrocketed.On the following, Will had a few more modeling gigs in editorials, ad campaigns and catalogues. But all the work that Ford got for Will still couldn't get him out of debt. Therefore, Will took a chance on Boss Models. It was that move that really re-established Will at a different level in the fashion industry.

He was photographed by famous photographers like Walter Chin, Bruce Weber, Steven Meisel and Terry Richardson. He was featured in Ashanti’s single “What Love”. He did major campaign like Gap, Perry Ellis and became one of Donatella Versace’s favourite male models. He also became one of the main lead of Sean John campaigns for many seasons.

Tyson Beckford


Tyson is one of the most iconic male models in history. He and Marcus Schekenberg were the only male model that reach the Supermodel status equaling their female counterpart like Linda, Naomi, Cindy, and Christy.

Tyson was scouted by an editor from hip-hop magazine 'The Source' in 1991. Through that connection, he hooked up with a New York agency, and within months, Beckford was before the lenses of Herb Ritts and Bruce Weber. It was Weber who first brought the model to Lauren, who nabbed him for the company's sport, fragrance and body lines. By 1995, Beckford was on the covers of major magazines, including Paper and Essence and multiple-page spreads in Vogue, GQ, the New York Times and Details.

Ralph Lauren hired him in 1993 to represent his Polo Sport line exclusively. It was photographer Bruce Weber who introduced Tyson to Ralph Lauren, who immediately hired him to represent the company's fragrance and body line, 'Sport'. By 1995, Beckford was on the covers of major magazines, including Paper and Essence and multiple-page spreads in Vogue, GQ, the New York Times and Details.
He was named 1995 Model of the Year at the VH1 Fashion Awards and one of People's 50 Most Beautiful People

Rick Yunne

Richad Elms

He was chosen as the main man in Guess campaign in 1996. Then he did a lot of major campaigns for Tommy Hilfiger, Fila, Donna Karan and Ralph Lauren to name a few. He did a lot of runway shows too specially Jean Paul Gaultier’s.
He was chosen by Madonna to be her lover in her “Secret” video.

Sebastian Kim

Jason Olive

Vladimir