JOURDAN DUNN

Jourdan Dunn: Trailblazing British Supermodel and Advocate for Diversity​

Early Life and Discovery

Jourdan Sherise Dunn was born on August 3, 1990, in Brent, London, England. She was raised in Greenford, West London, by her mother, a receptionist, alongside her two younger brothers. Of Jamaican, Grenadian, and Syrian descent, Dunn attended Elthorne Park High School in Hanwell. At the age of 15, while accompanying a friend at a Primark store in Hammersmith, she was scouted by an agent from Storm Model Management, the same agency that discovered Kate Moss. ​

Modeling Career and Achievements

Dunn made her runway debut in 2007 at New York Fashion Week, walking for Marc Jacobs and Polo Ralph Lauren. In 2008, she made history as the first black model to walk for Prada in over a decade. Her career rapidly ascended, leading to appearances in campaigns for Burberry, Calvin Klein, Yves Saint Laurent, Tommy Hilfiger, and Maybelline New York, among others. Dunn has graced the covers of numerous international editions of Vogue, Elle, and i-D, and was declared an icon by models.com in 2014. ​

Advocacy and Influence

Beyond modeling, Dunn is a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in the fashion industry. She has spoken out about the challenges faced by black models and has been involved in initiatives to promote representation. In 2008, she appeared on the cover of Vogue Italia's "All Black" issue, photographed by Steven Meisel, which highlighted the lack of diversity in fashion. Dunn has also been involved in campaigns and discussions addressing racial disparities within the industry.​

Personal Life

In December 2009, at the age of 19, Dunn gave birth to her son, Riley. She has been open about the challenges of balancing motherhood with her modeling career and has used her platform to raise awareness about sickle cell anemia, a condition her son has. In February 2020, Dunn announced her engagement to rapper Dion Hamilton, known professionally as Sincere. ​

Media Appearances and Ventures

Dunn has expanded her presence beyond modeling into various media ventures. She hosted a cooking show titled "Well Dunn with Jourdan Dunn" on Jay-Z's Life+Times YouTube channel, where she showcased her culinary skills and love for food. Additionally, she has appeared in music videos for artists like Beyoncé and Nicki Minaj and had roles in films such as "Zoolander 2" and "Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie." 

Awards and Recognition

Dunn's contributions to fashion have been recognized with several awards. She won "Model of the Year" at the British Fashion Awards in 2008 and 2015. In 2015, she received the "Inspiration Award" at Glamour's Women of the Year Awards and was named "Entrepreneur of the Year" in 2017. ​

Jourdan Dunn's journey from a teenager discovered in a London store to an international supermodel and advocate exemplifies her resilience, talent, and commitment to effecting positive change in the fashion industry.