Meet African American Model Alton Mason

Meet male model Alton Mason, 2019 he became the first black male model to have walked the runway for Chanel during their Métiers d’Art show. This groundbreaking moment in the brand’s 109-year existence was long overdue.

Mason was born November 21, 1997, to a father who is a former professional basketball player and his mother a former model. Due to his father’s career overseas, Mason has lived in several countries until his family settled in Arizona. At the age of 17, Mason moved away from home to pursue his love of dancing and acting at the American Musical Dramatic Arts Academy in Los Angeles.  

Before modeling, he worked with choreographer Laurieann Gibson which led him to dance with Diddy at the VMA’s.

Mason got scouted through Instagram. His first modeling gig was walking for Yeezy Season 3 at Madison Square Garden. Two years later, he got the opportunity to work with Gucci, where he walked in Gucci’s Fall 2017 show and was later featured in the brand’s first all-black Pre-Fall 2017 campaign. 

In 2019 Mason was named male model of the year. Forbes listed him in its 30 Under 30 2021 for Art & Style.

I’m happy for Alton Mason on making history, but I’m a bit disappointed that it took so long for this to happen.

I can’t wait to see what’s next for him!

^{*Photo Credit* @altonmason}