History in the Making

Celebrating the most iconic Black Polo models through the decades

Ralph Lauren has said that he often feels like an ambassador for America. Suffice it to say, he views this duty to represent the country at its best not as an obligation but as a privilege—and an opportunity. “America is a mix, a collision of all kinds of things funneling in together,” he has explained. “We take all these things we’ve accumulated and form ourselves. And that’s what America is. You’re entitled to be whatever you want to be.”

Perhaps nothing embodies that spirit like the brand’s pioneering work with Black models, an effort that has long served the mission to represent all of America, something the fashion industry still struggles with. To celebrate Black History Month, below we’re taking a look at some of the most trailblazing Black models who have appeared in Polo Ralph Lauren campaigns. From Tyson Beckford’s iconic 1994 Polo Sport campaign to Rashid Silvera’s timeless elegance in Polo suiting before that, and to recent campaigns with Madisin Rian and Herieth Paul, these are the images that have helped define the Polo brand and the wider World of Ralph Lauren.

Tyson Beckford

Maybe it was fate. After all, Tyson Beckford has said that, in high school, he “looked like a Ralph Lauren ad”—and like Ralph Lauren, he was born in the Bronx. But in 1993, fate became reality when Beckford signed an exclusive contract with the brand, and in doing so became the first Black male supermodel—a milestone that remains iconic more than a quarter-century later. There’s a reason then-Whitney Museum curator Thelma Golden said at the time that Beckford is “the only model in my book these days.” Not the only Black model, or the only male model—despite ample competition from the supermodels of the day—the only model period.

The campaign paved the way for Ralph Lauren’s vision of building a truly American fashion brand, while serving as a pivotal moment in the ongoing conversation about representation in the industry. For Beckford, the breakthrough campaign was just the start of a storied career that includes acting, hosting multiple television shows, and decades of nonprofit work for organizations around the globe.

Rashid Silvera

In April 1983, a suave and bearded Rashid Silvera looked out from the cover of GQ, clad in an ocher turtleneck that would look as good today as it did then. Flash forward to 1990, and the beard was gone, and a hint of grey had manifested itself on his temples, a distinguished touch that lent authority to his suited look in a black-and-white ad for Polo Ralph Lauren. Flash forward again to a few short years ago, and there he is, modeling a double-breasted navy blazer for Polo, a bit more salt in his beard but otherwise as ageless as ever. Rashid Silvera was Ralph Lauren’s first Black advertising model, and he remains as strong an avatar for the brand as any—the kind of man any of us might hope to see in the mirror when we put on those clothes.

It’s not just an image: Silvera is also a longtime teacher with two master’s degrees from Harvard (from the Divinity School and from the Graduate School of Education) and an avid collector of both Polo and Purple Label, an affinity that first drew the eye of Mr. Lauren himself. “I wanted to look the part so that I could be the part,” Silvera said in a recent interview. “I knew that style when I saw it—it’s Ralph. I knew the moment I first saw what he was doing.” Suffice it to say that style is Rashid, too.

Herieth Paul

Picture it: It’s spring. You’re wearing a simple, short-sleeve Polo shirt with white trousers, your back to the sea. Then, later that same year, a new you: nestled inside a thick black parka, hood up, shades on, gazing out from a snow-capped mountain at an overcast sky. Except, it’s the same you—or rather, the same her. It’s Herieth Paul, in separate campaigns for Polo, demonstrating an ease and comfort in both photos that most models can only dream of.

The iconic Tanzanian-born model has helped define the Ralph Lauren look in recent years, and her iconic work has earned her more than 150,000 Instagram followers. It’s also a wish come true—in a 2010 interview with Women’s Wear Daily, she said her goal was to model for (among others) Ralph Lauren.

Aria

Born Valeria Riccardo, Aria played a part in some of the definitive Ralph Lauren campaign images over the years, including this shot from Spring 1990, an iconic photo that was included in the 50th Anniversary ad, and a later campaign for Blue Label in 2002, which embodies casual chic.

It was all part of a wildly successful modeling career, with countless magazine covers, that began somewhat by accident, when the Queens, New York, native accompanied a friend to an open call. “She wanted to be the model; I didn’t,” she once told Jet. (Even after she had been modeling for a while, she spoke of wanting to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a police officer—even going so far as to take, and pass, the exam.) NYPD’s loss was RL’s gain—and the rest, as they say, is history.

Chris Collins

For nearly two decades, Chris Collins had a starring role in numerous Polo Ralph Lauren campaigns, a perfect image of ease and strength. As he noted in an interview with RL Mag , this collaboration allowed him to travel the globe, while picking up his own rules of style along the way. And while those rules, articulated a few years back, still apply (“Invest in staple pieces”; “Your style tells your story”), he also perfectly captures the Ralph Lauren story. “I never feel more American than when I’m wearing Ralph Lauren,” Collins wrote. “But what’s great about RL is that it still speaks to all cultures around the world. It doesn’t matter if you’re Asian, African-American, or Caucasian, Ralph Lauren makes us all feel like we’re a part of his family.”​ We couldn’t have said it better.

George Okeny

For George Okeny, modeling is a family affair. His girlfriend, Yanii Gough, is also a model (and photographer and scout), and their son, Zola, joined his parents for Ralph Lauren’s 50th Anniversary Show. (The New York Post dubbed Zola “the breakout star” of Fashion Week.)

It’s the culmination of a unique journey. Okeny fled his native Sudan at age 7, living in Cairo for three years before moving to Baltimore as a refugee. There, he sometimes modeled for relatives at events to raise money to build schools back in Sudan or Uganda. (“That was my kryptonite,” he told RL Mag . “If you ask me to do something to help people, you’ll get a yes about 90 percent of the time.”) This led to a modeling career in New York City, aided by Gough, who helped Okeny navigate the industry—which, of course, led to the iconic family walk in that anniversary show, and a family campaign in Spring 2019. Okeny sums it up best: “From Sudan to shaking hands with Ralph Lauren—never in a million years did I think that could happen.”

Madisin Rian

With her shaved head and enigmatic Mona Lisa smile, Madisin Rian has brought a new energy to Polo Ralph Lauren in recent campaigns. And while her style might be highly individualistic (and the reason she has nearly 1 million followers on Instagram), the St. Louis native values the opportunity to raise up other Black models. “It’s unfortunate because there’s very few slots for women of color,” she has said. “It can be hard, which is why it’s so competitive. The love is there, but at the same time we’re all fighting for the same opportunities so it’s harder. But if we don’t support each other, then how will anyone support us?”

David de Jesus

Whether in tailoring, a rugged outdoor look, or sleek Polo Sport outerwear, David de Jesus is instantly identifiable by his long locks and confident gaze, adding up to a swagger that befits a model whose nom de social media is Zeus Tha Operator. From starring in the 2019 Polo Sport campaign seen here to the Polo x MLB collaboration, his versatility, combined with his unfiltered individuality, makes de Jesus a perfect match for Ralph Lauren (who, after all, said, “You’re entitled to be whatever you want to be”). As does his more reflective side, as expressed in Instagram posts that don’t shy away from candid reflections on the fashion industry.

Daymar & Kareem Rosser

Polo isn’t just a brand, of course; it’s a sport with a rich history of its own, one that has earned it the nickname the “sport of kings.” That sobriquet doesn’t just refer to the regal majesty of the game and those who play it—it also suggests the often-prohibitive cost of participation. Work to Ride is a program that is doing something about that, making polo accessible to kids in two of Philadelphia’s poorest neighborhoods through an innovative program that includes tutoring, scholarships, and volunteer opportunities, along with the chance to ride and care for horses. (Ralph Lauren has supported the program through grants.)

Brothers Daymar and Kareem Rosser are two graduates of the program, breaking barriers (and stereotypes) through their success on the field, including multiple championships. They also modeled for Polo in Spring 2019, bringing the brand’s inspiration full circle, and embodying the idea that true American fashion is that which can be worn by all. To learn more about their inspiring story, check out Kareem’s recent memoir, ​​Crossing the Line: A Fearless Team of Brothers and the Sport That Changed Their Lives Forever.

Hamid Onifadé

Dubbed a top male model by Details, and the first Black cover model for Esquire, Hamid Onifadé has a versatility that’s key to his trade—and one that has powered his work with Ralph Lauren, which has included campaigns for fragrance (Polo Red), Purple Label, and Polo Ralph Lauren. It’s easy to see why: The Paris-born, Benin-raised model exudes timeless cool, a quality that is very Ralph Lauren.

Ayesha Sesay

A model on the rise, Ayesha has brought her strength to recent Polo campaigns, including Fall 2021, where she costarred with a vintage black motorcycle—one that almost matches her power. The juxtaposition lends a creative tension to the more traditionally preppy clothes she wore, from a cable-knit cardigan to a tweed riding jacket. Her Instagram feed finds her enjoying the life of a jet-setting model—and, of course, posting photos from past Polo shoots.

In one, showing her in a Polo peacoat, she referenced her faraway upbringing: “Can’t seem to think of anything but the little girl in Sierra Leone. Feeling Grateful.” More recently, she put it this way: “Blooming and it feels good.” We couldn’t agree more.

Tyson Beckford

Maybe it was fate. After all, Tyson Beckford has said that, in high school, he “looked like a Ralph Lauren ad”—and like Ralph Lauren, he was born in the Bronx. But in 1993, fate became reality when Beckford signed an exclusive contract with the brand, and in doing so became the first Black male supermodel—a milestone that remains iconic more than a quarter-century later. There’s a reason then-Whitney Museum curator Thelma Golden said at the time that Beckford is “the only model in my book these days.” Not the only Black model, or the only male model—despite ample competition from the supermodels of the day—the only model period.

The campaign paved the way for Ralph Lauren’s vision of building a truly American fashion brand, while serving as a pivotal moment in the ongoing conversation about representation in the industry. For Beckford, the breakthrough campaign was just the start of a storied career that includes acting, hosting multiple television shows, and decades of nonprofit work for organizations around the globe.

Rashid Silvera

In April 1983, a suave and bearded Rashid Silvera looked out from the cover of GQ, clad in an ocher turtleneck that would look as good today as it did then. Flash forward to 1990, and the beard was gone, and a hint of grey had manifested itself on his temples, a distinguished touch that lent authority to his suited look in a black-and-white ad for Polo Ralph Lauren. Flash forward again to a few short years ago, and there he is, modeling a double-breasted navy blazer for Polo, a bit more salt in his beard but otherwise as ageless as ever. Rashid Silvera was Ralph Lauren’s first Black advertising model, and he remains as strong an avatar for the brand as any—the kind of man any of us might hope to see in the mirror when we put on those clothes.

It’s not just an image: Silvera is also a longtime teacher with two master’s degrees from Harvard (from the Divinity School and from the Graduate School of Education) and an avid collector of both Polo and Purple Label, an affinity that first drew the eye of Mr. Lauren himself. “I wanted to look the part so that I could be the part,” Silvera said in a recent interview. “I knew that style when I saw it—it’s Ralph. I knew the moment I first saw what he was doing.” Suffice it to say that style is Rashid, too.

Herieth Paul

Picture it: It’s spring. You’re wearing a simple, short-sleeve Polo shirt with white trousers, your back to the sea. Then, later that same year, a new you: nestled inside a thick black parka, hood up, shades on, gazing out from a snow-capped mountain at an overcast sky. Except, it’s the same you—or rather, the same her. It’s Herieth Paul, in separate campaigns for Polo, demonstrating an ease and comfort in both photos that most models can only dream of.

The iconic Tanzanian-born model has helped define the Ralph Lauren look in recent years, and her iconic work has earned her more than 150,000 Instagram followers. It’s also a wish come true—in a 2010 interview with Women’s Wear Daily, she said her goal was to model for (among others) Ralph Lauren.

Aria

Born Valeria Riccardo, Aria played a part in some of the definitive Ralph Lauren campaign images over the years, including this shot from Spring 1990, an iconic photo that was included in the 50th Anniversary ad, and a later campaign for Blue Label in 2002, which embodies casual chic.

It was all part of a wildly successful modeling career, with countless magazine covers, that began somewhat by accident, when the Queens, New York, native accompanied a friend to an open call. “She wanted to be the model; I didn’t,” she once told Jet. (Even after she had been modeling for a while, she spoke of wanting to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a police officer—even going so far as to take, and pass, the exam.) NYPD’s loss was RL’s gain—and the rest, as they say, is history.

Chris Collins

For nearly two decades, Chris Collins had a starring role in numerous Polo Ralph Lauren campaigns, a perfect image of ease and strength. As he noted in an interview with RL Mag , this collaboration allowed him to travel the globe, while picking up his own rules of style along the way. And while those rules, articulated a few years back, still apply (“Invest in staple pieces”; “Your style tells your story”), he also perfectly captures the Ralph Lauren story. “I never feel more American than when I’m wearing Ralph Lauren,” Collins wrote. “But what’s great about RL is that it still speaks to all cultures around the world. It doesn’t matter if you’re Asian, African-American, or Caucasian, Ralph Lauren makes us all feel like we’re a part of his family.”​ We couldn’t have said it better.

George Okeny

For George Okeny, modeling is a family affair. His girlfriend, Yanii Gough, is also a model (and photographer and scout), and their son, Zola, joined his parents for Ralph Lauren’s 50th Anniversary Show. (The New York Post dubbed Zola “the breakout star” of Fashion Week.)

It’s the culmination of a unique journey. Okeny fled his native Sudan at age 7, living in Cairo for three years before moving to Baltimore as a refugee. There, he sometimes modeled for relatives at events to raise money to build schools back in Sudan or Uganda. (“That was my kryptonite,” he told RL Mag . “If you ask me to do something to help people, you’ll get a yes about 90 percent of the time.”) This led to a modeling career in New York City, aided by Gough, who helped Okeny navigate the industry—which, of course, led to the iconic family walk in that anniversary show, and a family campaign in Spring 2019. Okeny sums it up best: “From Sudan to shaking hands with Ralph Lauren—never in a million years did I think that could happen.”

Madisin Rian

With her shaved head and enigmatic Mona Lisa smile, Madisin Rian has brought a new energy to Polo Ralph Lauren in recent campaigns. And while her style might be highly individualistic (and the reason she has nearly 1 million followers on Instagram), the St. Louis native values the opportunity to raise up other Black models. “It’s unfortunate because there’s very few slots for women of color,” she has said. “It can be hard, which is why it’s so competitive. The love is there, but at the same time we’re all fighting for the same opportunities so it’s harder. But if we don’t support each other, then how will anyone support us?”

David de Jesus

Whether in tailoring, a rugged outdoor look, or sleek Polo Sport outerwear, David de Jesus is instantly identifiable by his long locks and confident gaze, adding up to a swagger that befits a model whose nom de social media is Zeus Tha Operator. From starring in the 2019 Polo Sport campaign seen here to the Polo x MLB collaboration, his versatility, combined with his unfiltered individuality, makes de Jesus a perfect match for Ralph Lauren (who, after all, said, “You’re entitled to be whatever you want to be”). As does his more reflective side, as expressed in Instagram posts that don’t shy away from candid reflections on the fashion industry.

Daymar & Kareem Rosser

Polo isn’t just a brand, of course; it’s a sport with a rich history of its own, one that has earned it the nickname the “sport of kings.” That sobriquet doesn’t just refer to the regal majesty of the game and those who play it—it also suggests the often-prohibitive cost of participation. Work to Ride is a program that is doing something about that, making polo accessible to kids in two of Philadelphia’s poorest neighborhoods through an innovative program that includes tutoring, scholarships, and volunteer opportunities, along with the chance to ride and care for horses. (Ralph Lauren has supported the program through grants.)

Brothers Daymar and Kareem Rosser are two graduates of the program, breaking barriers (and stereotypes) through their success on the field, including multiple championships. They also modeled for Polo in Spring 2019, bringing the brand’s inspiration full circle, and embodying the idea that true American fashion is that which can be worn by all. To learn more about their inspiring story, check out Kareem’s recent memoir, ​​Crossing the Line: A Fearless Team of Brothers and the Sport That Changed Their Lives Forever.

Hamid Onifadé

Dubbed a top male model by Details, and the first Black cover model for Esquire, Hamid Onifadé has a versatility that’s key to his trade—and one that has powered his work with Ralph Lauren, which has included campaigns for fragrance (Polo Red), Purple Label, and Polo Ralph Lauren. It’s easy to see why: The Paris-born, Benin-raised model exudes timeless cool, a quality that is very Ralph Lauren.

Ayesha Sesay

A model on the rise, Ayesha has brought her strength to recent Polo campaigns, including Fall 2021, where she costarred with a vintage black motorcycle—one that almost matches her power. The juxtaposition lends a creative tension to the more traditionally preppy clothes she wore, from a cable-knit cardigan to a tweed riding jacket. Her Instagram feed finds her enjoying the life of a jet-setting model—and, of course, posting photos from past Polo shoots.

In one, showing her in a Polo peacoat, she referenced her faraway upbringing: “Can’t seem to think of anything but the little girl in Sierra Leone. Feeling Grateful.” More recently, she put it this way: “Blooming and it feels good.” We couldn’t agree more.

  • Courtesy of Tyson Beckford
  • Courtesy of Rashid Silvera
  • Courtesy of Herieth Paul
  • Courtesy of Aria
  • Courtesy of Chris Collins
  • Courtesy of George Okeny
  • Courtesy of Madisin Rian
  • Courtesy of David de Jesus
  • Courtesy of Daymar & Kareem Rosser
  • Courtesy of Hamid Onifadé
  • Courtesy of Ayesha Sesay
  • ©Ralph Lauren Corporation