There was a time— not that long ago— when spotting a North African model on a runway felt like an event in itself. They were the exception rather than the rule, breaking into an industry that rarely made room for faces, names, or stories like ours. Every campaign, magazine cover, or Fashion Week appearance felt like proof that the door had opened, even if only slightly.
Fast forward a few years, and the picture looks very different. Arab music now soundtracks luxury runway shows, figures like Saint Levant are appointed ambassadors of global fashion houses, and every Fashion Week season seems to introduce another model from our region walking for some of the biggest names in the industry.
With that in mind, we’ve rounded up 10 North African models whose careers are taking off and who are helping redefine what fashion looks like on the world’s biggest stages.
Meriam Turki (Runway & Editorial)
Roots: Tunisia
Worked with: Elie Saab, Yohji Yamamoto, Brunello Cucinielli
Ayman Salah (Runway & Editorial)
Roots: Sudan
Worked with: Amiri, GCDS, YProject
Omar Metwally Garcia (Runway & Editorial)
Roots: Egypt
Worked with: Dolce&Gabbana, Emporio Armani, Giorgio Armani
Oufae Rhuni (Runway & Editorial)
Roots: Morocco
Worked with: Dolce&Gabbana, Chanel, YSL
Sofian Ouarid (Runway & Editorial)
Roots: Morocco
Worked with: Issey Miyake, Marni, Fendi, Dior, Moschino
Omar Zaabalawi (Runway & Editorial)
Roots: Egypt
Worked with: Dior, Rick Owens
Kmar Bennesib (Runway & Editorial)
Roots: Tunisia
Worked with: Hermes, Dolce&Gabbana, Casablanca, Rhude
Mohamed Hassan (Runway & Editorial)
Roots: Egypt
Worked with: Louis Vuitton, Dsquared, Zegna, Ami Paris, Ferragamo
Nour Yahya (Runway & Editorial)
Roots: Sudan
Worked with: Chanel
Fares Ben M’Barka (Runway & Editorial)
Roots: Tunisian
Worked with: Hermes, Dolce&Gabbanan Etro