10 Women Over 50 Who Are Slaying The Model Industry

Source: JP Yim / Getty

Society would have you believe your career as a model ends the minute you show signs of aging. Models like Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks and Cynthia Bailey have proven that the game doesn’t end in your 50’s. As a matter of fact, there are a long list of models in the 50+ age range who are dominating runways, fashion ads, hosting gigs and correspondence work. Just a few days ago, Rihanna sought out and hired JoAni Johnson, a 67-year-old model that will work with the ‘FENTY’ luxury fashion brand. If you thought your career as a model ends before 50, meet these 10 women who are making major waves in the modeling industry.

Source: Melodie Jeng / Getty

JoAni Johnson, age 67

At 67-years-young, JoAni Johnson is at an interesting point in her modeling career. Although she is fairly new to walking runways and participating in editorial shoots, her look would have you believe she’s been doing this all her life. Johnson got her big break when she was stopped on the streets on Chelsea by a photographer. He took her photo and a few weeks later, she was called by a casting agent who wanted to feature her in a video about grey hair. Unbeknownst to her, the video was for Allure. The rest was history. Fast forward to today, Johnson has been seen on the runways of Eileen Fisher, Tome, and will soon be featured in the fashion campaign for ‘FENTY’, Rihanna’s new luxury brand.

Source: Victor Boyko / Getty

Iman, age 61

Iman is one of the pillars of the modeling world. With over 4 decades of experience under her belt, she has a career worth celebrating. During her career she has graced the covers of Vogue, Essence, and Vanity Fair magazines, she was featured as the Queen in Michael Jackson’s ‘Remember the Time’ video, she launched Iman Cosmetics in efforts to bridge the gap between products for people of color and the lack of representation, and she has dominated just about every runway she’s ever been booked to walk in.

Source: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty

Bethann Hardison, age 61

Bethann Hardison is a monumental model that often flies under the radar. Her career often sways between runway work and activism within the model industry. In 1984 she formed her own agency in efforts to diversify the fashion industry. A few years later, she alongside Iman, she co-founded the Black Girls Coalition to help support and advocate for black models. Hardison’s contribution to the industry is long and profound. Now you can catch her occasionally posing for the camera and continuously using her voice for change. Here’s a fun fact about the model; her only son is Kadeem Hardison, better known as Dwayne Wayne from the hit show, A Different World.  

Tomiko Fraser Hines, age 50

Tomiko Fraser was discovered at the age of 25 while working as a waitress in New York City. After approximately 6 months of working with a small agency, she landed her first job with Seventeen Magazine. She eventually signed with Ford Models which led her to walk the runway for a Chanel show in Paris. Fraser’s resume became long and steady as she was featured in a variety of commercials and both print and ad campaigns. She was featured in Essence magazine and worked with brands like Target, The Gap, Tommy Hilfiger, J. Crew, Liz Claiborne and Old Navy Maternity. She was also the first African American model to become the face of Maybeline Cosmetics. Currently, the model is represented by Cathy Quinn Models, IconicFocus Models and Louisa Models.

Source: Thomas Concordia / Getty

Veronica Webb, age 54

Veronica Webb has always had a very diverse career. The model, actress, and writer made a name for herself in her earlier years. She became the first African American model to win a contract with Revlon, which led her to become a spokesmodel for the brand. She has been featured on the runways of Azzedine Alaia, Isaac Mizrahi, Karl Lagerfeld and Todd Oldham. In addition to her success on the runway, Webb dabbled in acting. She has been featured in Jungle Fever, The Big Tease, Malcolm X, Damon, Just Shoot Me, Becker and Clueless. Today, she is signed to Muse Management in New York and d’management group in Milan.

Source: Estrop / Getty

Grace Jones, age 69

She’s a living legend. Her style, attitude and youthful spirit has been emulated by today’s musicians, models and actresses. Grace Jones is an entire mood that embodies electric energy. Jones was signed to Wilhelmina Modeling Agency at the age of 18. After moving to Paris, she walked the runways of prominent designers like Yves Saint Laurent, Kenzo Takada, and Claude Montana. She eventually incorporated music and acting to her resume. She released a series of albums and was featured in a few movies. More recently, Jones gave us all what we were missing by taking the runway by storm at Zendaya’s fashion show with Tommy Hilfiger.  

Source: Noam Galai / Getty

Beverly Johnson, age 66

Beverly Johnson is another model that holds the title of ‘the first.’ While in college, Johnson pursued her interests in modeling. After landing her first modeling job with Glamour Magazine, she went on to appear on over 500 magazine covers. The most notable one was the August 1974 issue of Vogue, where she was the first African American model to be on the cover. This helped spearhead the movement of featuring more black models on magazine covers and on the runway. She eventually made the crossover to acting by landing roles in various films and TV shows. Johnson still gives her best strut on the runways during fashion week. More recently she was featured in Zendaya’s runway show with Tommy Hilfiger.

Source: Stephen J. Cohen / Getty

Cynthia Bailey, age 52

Cynthia Bailey had a thriving career long before The Real Housewives of Atlanta. At the age of 18, Bailey signed to Wilhelmina Models after losing a local homecoming queen pageant. Bailey walked in various runway shows in Paris and Milan before modeling for brands like Maybeline, Oil of Olay and Target. She was also featured on the covers of Essence, Vogue, Elle, Glamour and Vanity Fair. After joining the cast of RHOA, Bailey started various business ventures. In 2011, she launched a modeling agency for up and coming models. She’s even started her own sunglasses collection. Currently Bailey is signed to Major Models NYC.

Source: Andrew Toth / Getty

Roshumba Williams, age 50

Roshumba Williams Was discovered by designer Yves Saint Laurent in 1987. She made major waves when she graced the pages of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition in the early 90’s. After slaying some of the top designer’s runways, she slowly transitioned acting and correspondence work. Today, you can catch Williams on red carpets, and the big screen.

Source: Victor VIRGILE / Getty

Pat Cleveland, age 68

Pat Cleveland was discovered in 1966 when she was noticed by someone from Vogue magazine while standing on the train platform. After being featured in the magazine, her career began to flourish. By the age of 18, she was signed to Wilhelmina Models. She has since gone on to grace the cover of Vogue, Vanity Fair, Interview, Essence, Harper’s, Cosmopolitan, Women’s Wear Daily, L’Officiel, The Sunday Times Magazine, GQ, Vogue Paris, W, and Elle. She has also walked in numerous reputable shows. She is one of the few models that are still very active on the runway. More recently, Cleveland was rushed to the hospital after walking in a show during Milan Fashion Week.