28 Days Of Black History: Prada Cast Which Black Model For The First Time In 19 Years?

Malaika Firth

Naomi Campbell was the last African American to be featured in a Prada ad campaign in 1994. Nineteen years later, Malaika Firth became the newest face of Prada in a Fall/Winter 2013 advertisement.

Malaika Firth became the newest face of Prada in a Fall/Winter 2013

Malaika Firth was born on March 23, 1994, in Mombassa, Kenya. Firth’s modeling career started at the age of 17. She was encouraged to try out modeling after her mother watched an episode of The Model Agency, which featured a documentary about Premier Model Management. Firth’s mom called the agency and made arrangements for them to meet with her daughter. Firth was signed on the spot during an open call casting.

Naomi Campbell in a 1994 Prada Ad campaign

Firth has gone on to walk the runways for top designers such as Jean-Paul Gaultier, Valentino, Marc Jacobs, Victoria Secret, and Prada among others.

Prada is a brand that rarely uses models of color, hopefully, they’ll realize that beauty isn’t limited to one race.

❤