Maria Borges Made History By Appearing At The Cover Of Elle Magazine

Model Maria Borges just made history on the cover of ELLE. The 24-year-old supermodel became the first African American to cover on Elle magazine in this century.The Angolese model changed history by featuring on Elle’s US edition, in which she talks about the beauty of diversity and the importance of representation.

Making history on Elle magazine

It’s been twenty years since Elle featured an African model on its cover. Back in 1997, Sudanese model Alek Wek graced the cover of the magazine with this being the very first black cover girls since the magazine was first issued in 1985.

Twenty years after, Elle features once again another African cover. This time being the very first African model cover of the century, Maria Borges.In the April issue, which will be available on April 18, Borges talked about the need for representation in the fashion industry.

She said, “The fashion industry is here for everyone, [regardless] of color or race. When I was growing up, I never saw someone like me, and now the other girls can see someone like them. It’s all about inspiration.”

The supermodel turned to Twitter to celebrate the moment and shared the cover where she looks stunning.She is also joined by fellow supermodels Jasmine Tookes, Bella Hadid, Elsa Hosk, Candice Huffine, and Hailey Baldwin who slay their own covers for the special issue.

Honored to be the First African Woman of the Century to be on the cover of @elleusa. Thank you everyone for your support. #AFRICAxELLEUSA pic.twitter.com/n3z7hHd3vM

— Maria Borges (@IamMariaBorges) April 11, 2017

Rocking the afro and celebrating beauty

Though the Elle cover is such a big moment, this is not the first time Maria makes history and changes the game.Maria is notable for rocking her natural hair at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, for which she made headlines at the time.

She said, “I told my agent I wanted to walk in Victoria’s Secret show with my natural hair, I was nervous, but I had to do it. When they said ‘yes,’ I didn’t expect it, but I was so happy!”

She was then followed by models Herieth Paul and Jordana Phillips in the 2016’s show. Recently, she was chosen as one of the African models breaking barriers. In February, she became the face of L’Oreal Paris and at the moment she spoke about inspiring other women.

She said, “I believe in the beauty of diversity. The empowering message that a girl who started from the bottom can be an international beauty symbol and be living proof that our dreams are valid, and the future ahead of us is bright.”

Going for more and more

Maria was born in Angola and lived through the Angolan Civil War. She was raised by her siblings and was discovered as she took part in the Angolan branch of the Elite Model Look Competition.Even when she came in second, she landed a contract with an agency called Model Step. From there, her career has been in a total rise.

She’s walked the runway for amazing brands as Dior, Banana Republic, Versace, Oscar De La Renta, Givenchy, Jason Wu, and Tom Ford.She’s featured campaigns for Bobbi Brown, C&A, L’Oreal, Mac Cosmetics, Tommy Hilfiger H&M, and Forever 21.

Now she’s one of six stars on the cover of Elle’s May 2017 Swimsuit Issue, and she’s the first African model to appear on Elle’s cover this century.

One thing is clear, Maria Borges simply slays everywhere she goes. Now millions of little black girls all over the world can see themselves on the cover of the magazine.By seeing Maria on the cover, they will understand that their dark skin is beautiful and they will feel included and represented.

Maria is paving the way not only for a more varied approach to fashion but for breaking barrier in fashion but also in society.