FM has been continuously bringing you some of fashion’s brightest stars of tomorrow via this feature (“Generation NeXt”) and for today, we’re bringing you newcomer Ajak:

The Sudanese born 20-year-old has been compared to Alek Wek- who she cites as her idol- by designers and magazines alike. Signing with Chic Management in Australia in 2009, she began modeling locally until IMG picked her up in New York and instantly goes to work. She quickly became a face of iconic brand, Benetton, and went on to walk for Reed Krakoff, Naeem Khan, Isaac Mizrahi, Rachel Roy, and Marc by Marc Jacobs shows in New York. She really hit the fashion totem pole jackpot when she walked for Maison Martin Margiela, Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier, Lanvin, and Chloé shows in Paris for their Fall 2010 collections. She has come a long way from her days of being a refugee that had to uproot and move to northern Kenya from her hometown, and FM believes we haven’t even seen her very best yet. But check out a few of her best so far:

She definitely adds a sense of freshness to the runway’s, where most of what we see is pale make-up’ed, skinny blonde girls with mean mugs. Loving her! We hope to see more from Ajak very soon, and we’re positive we well! She’s definitely one to watch.

Naomi Campbell is really the Jay-Z of the modeling world. In her 40’s, outlived and outshine the youngin’s, and still going after years in the game while everyone they came up with fell off, you see why I say that now? She was recently spotted at a Mobil gas station in the Meatpacking District doing a photo shoot:

Not sure what the shoot is for, but its definitely not for PETA.

As soon as I saw the new pictures of Gucci’s Pre-Fall 2010 ad campaign with Joan Smalls and Raquel Zimmerman, I immediately flashed back to last year when I was working on a documentary about the fashion industry and black models. During the research for the documentary, I was looking about Gucci’s use of black models in their ad campaigns, and saw none. As far back as Spring/Summer 2005, they have used no Black models. I mean, they may give them a shot on the runway, but I have yet to see a black model in their ad campaigns.

I mean, I may be pushing it to say Joan Smalls is the first to land a Gucci ad campaign (and no, Rihanna doesn’t count. She was a celebrity endorser, not a model), but I even as I look through there past campaigns, nothing. Don’t believe me? Then take a look:

Fall 2000:

Spring 2005:

Spring 2006:

Fall 2006:

Spring 2007:

Cruise 2007:

Spring 2008:

Cruise 2008:

Fall 2008:

Spring 2009:

Cruise 2009:

Fall 2009:

Spring 2010:

Cruise 2010:

Now, I don’t want to say they have never used a Black model in their ad campaigns before. But they have never… *voice trails off*

It seems like industries are getting more (or is it less?) creative when it comes to celebrity products. First it was the celebrity clothing line, then it was the celebrity fragrance, now its the celebrity book?

Don’t get me wrong, celebrities have been writing books and “how-to-be-like-me” guides for forever, but models, who are notoriously for being a few sandwiches short of a picnic, are getting in on the action too (Tyra Banks recently announced she will be writing a fantasy model trilogy). Miranda Kerr has let known to the world that she is writing a book titled Treasure Yourself which will encourage young women to “embrace their individuality.” Here’s what she had to say about her decision to pen the self-help guide:

“You may think it’s easy for me to say, but we all have insecurities. It’s important, as women, to get past all of that and let our talents shine.”

Well, can’t knock the hustle. I guess Miranda will be on Forbes’ “Top Earning Models” list again next year!

19-year-old Brazilian bombshell, Lais Ribieiro, has to be the “prettiest” model I’ve seen in a while. Pretty, not typically a word used in the fashion world. A world where its visual success strive on awkwardness and unrealistic portrayals of girls. But yes, Lais Ribeiro is pretty, relatable, and could possibly be your next door neighbor that you can’t seem to wrap your finger around why you’re so jealous of her:

Although she started her modeling career just last year modeling locally in her hometown of Brazil, Lais quickly snagged a Brazilian ELLE editorial then went on to sign with Women Management in NYC. She made her big debut at the Rag & Bone show in New York, and quickly snatched up runway credits from the impressive and prestigious likes of Christian Dior, Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier, Blumarine, Gucci, Michael Kors, Proenza Schouler, Versace, Roberto Cavalli, Marc Jacobs, Vera Wang, Bottega Venetta, Hermès, and many more!

Her undeniable sexiness, but obvious innocence puts her in a special spot in the marketplace. She has a look that inspires. The last look that inspired, a pretty one, would have to belong to Twiggy in the 60’s. Or even Kara Young in the 90’s. With a look so versatile, I can see her career extending beyond fashion, and succeeding in film. Grounds models before her tried to conquer (see Tyra Banks), but to no avail.

Lais Ribeiro is definitely NeXt.

This 18-year-old model has been moving and shaking (or should I say strutting) in the fashion industry ever since she was discovered in her hometown of Chicago three short years ago by Ford Models, at just 15:

Soon after signing with Ford Models, Shelby Coleman was discovered my famed designer, and FM favorite, Giambattista Valli at his trunk show in Chicago. In 2008, she goes on to sign with IMG Models and makes her debut at Giambattista Valli’s Fall show in Paris as an exclusive. Since then, she has modeled for Akris, Tracey Reese, Three as Four, Nicole Miller, Tory Burch, William Rast, and continues to hold it down for Giambattista:

Shelby is currently featured in the American Eagle ad campaign. Make sure you look out for more to come from this Chi-town chica!

Newcomer R’el Dade is taking the fashion world by storm and making no apologies for it. The 19-year-old Texas native was discovered in her hometown through a local model competition in 2007, then she signed with Marilyn Agency in 2009 and soon after made her debut at the Valentino Fall 2009 Couture show in Paris:

She’s strutted the runways for designers such as Valentino, Jean Paul Gaultier, Christian Dior, Brian Reyes, Giorgio Armani, and many more in New York, Paris, and Milan. Since splashing on the scene last year, shes appeared in magazines such as Numero and Interview:

Make sure you look out for R’el Dade! She’s definitely making waves, and I’m sure this won’t be the last we’ll be hearing or seeing of her.

I am officially initiating ”Generation NeXt” as a fixture feature on FM. It will feature a new model on the come up that you should look out for. First up 15-year-old Jamaican new girl Shena Moulton:

Shena first splashed on the scene during the Spring 2010 season, strutting for Calvin Klein, one of the 3rd black models to walk for the label in recent history. She then caught the attention of Paris designers, who booked her at Kenzo, Anne Valerie Hash, and Louis Vuitton. And that was just her first season. The budding teenager picked up pace for the current Fall/Winter 2010 season walking for BCBG Max Azria, Herve Leger (above pic), Tommy Hilfiger, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Calvin Klein. We expect to see more from this busy bee in the near future.

BCBG Max Azria Fall 2010

Calvin Klein Fall 2010

Louis Vuitton Spring 2010

The 14-year-old half-sister of the famed Kardashian clan, and daughter of Kris & Bruce Jenner, Kendall Jenner, is now a model for Forever 21:

The Jenner sister, who is actually the tomboy of the two younger siblings, is now modeling for Forever 21’s Twist collection,  called “Rocker Babes with a Twist”. The 5′9″ cutie pie had this to say about being the new face of the line:

“‘I love Forever 21. I’m glad I got to do it. I was nervous and excited. It was super fun.”

When asked which sister inspires her the most, she says older sister Kim:

“They all give me really good advice. Kim just tells me: ‘Work it.’ I want to emulate her career the most because she does all the modelling-type stuff.”

Can’t wait to see what becomes of the younger siblings.

After 13 seasons of America’s Next Top Model, I think it’s about that time the plug gets pulled. 13 young women who were promised the opportunity to be what Tyra Banks was in her hay-day, a top model. 13 winners, 13 beautiful women, 13 dreams materialized, and not 1 top model:

I’m sure all the winners, runner-up’s, and contestants have achieved some level of success in their own right, but again: NOT ONE TOP MODEL. Which is the basis of the show. It’s not America’s Next Mediocre Model, America’s Next Book-At-Least-One-Job-Per-Fashion-Week Model, America’s Next Damn-I-Can’t-Even-Get-A-Spread-In-Teen-Vogue? Model, it’s AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL. Name one model, a winner, who has left the show to achieve prime fashion industry success. I’m talking about snatching up an ad campaign for Bottega Veneta, strutting in a Chanel show, at least being the new face of Movado watches! Baby Phat ad? Nothing? Not even a Rocawear endorsement? How about a perfume campaign? Damn it! Even Amber Rose has one of those (no shots fired)!

My thing is, if you can not do for these girls what you promised them to do, what they signed up to do, why bother? Tyra knows a thing or two about leaving the game on a high note, as she did with modeling. So instead of waiting until the show gets canceled due to a decline in viewership, just announce Season 14 as your last season, and develop a new fashion centered show. Where new opportunities are available, new promises are made, new standards are set. Instead of fueling this stigma of unrealistic perfection with a weight and height limit, why don’t you leave the physical requirements alone and base a fashion centered show on something a lot more substantial? Like a skill. No shots fired at you models who put work in to perfect your craft, props to y’all!

When I say a skill, I mean something substantial where there will be no physical limitations… like an editorial opportunity at a major fashion magazine. Or a chance to develop their own (online) magazine. A show centered around young designers (25 & under), and giving them the opportunity to apprentice with a major designer for like 6 months to learn the ropes. A competitive show for entrepreneurs trying to win money to start their own fashion business, the list and ideas and market potential goes on. The point I’m trying to make is, WE GET IT! The only person that doesn’t seem to get it is Tyra and the good ole’ folks over at the CW and Bankable Productions. Oh, and the models don’t get it either. The only thing they get is a short-run CoverGirl contract without the possibility of a renewal. Oh, and representation from a top agency that never books them jobs. Womp womp.

Tyra, if you’re reading this, understand that I’m only reiterating what I hear in coffee shops, book club meetings, round table discussions, chat room debates, and high school hallways. We’re sick of it. And if you really want to show young girls how it’s to be done, as far as being a model goes, show them something a little more realistic. ANTM’s challenges has become more irrelevant to the field of modeling than Diddy’s requirements from his aspiring Making The Band members. (I’m still trying to figure how walking to get cheesecake will transfer to record sales, wake me when we get there).

Tyra, I AM CHALLENGING YOU TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING FRESH, ORIGINAL, NEW, EXCITING, AND REALISTIC! I dare you to be great! Should you accept this challenge?

Sincerely,

Tara Decoda