Ethiopian models at Milan Fashion Week
As of 22 October 2026, 6 Ethiopian models have walked at least one show in Milan since 2002. 3 of them have walked ten or more there. Amar Akway leads with 28 Milan shows across 9 seasons.
Share figures use the 5,964 of 7,628 models on record in Milan since 2002 whose nationality is on record.
Updated 22 October 2026 · Public runway records since 2002 · Methodology
Most cast Ethiopian models at Milan Fashion Week
Ranked by shows walked in Milan since 2002, one credit per show. Ties keep alphabetical order. How shows are counted
6 models on record in Milan.
| Rank | Model | Shows in Milan | Seasons | Milan span | Houses in Milan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amar Akway | 28 | 9 | FW20 to SS25 | Max Mara , Fendi , Jil Sander |
| 2 | Shanelle Nyasiase | 27 | 9 | FW17 to SS25 | Roberto Cavalli , Ferragamo , Emporio Armani |
| 3 | Liya Kebede | 21 | 16 | FW02 to FW26 | Versace , Fendi , Bottega Veneta |
| 4 | Yelibe Tilahun | 8 | 5 | FW23 to SS27 | Hui , Act N°1 , Tokyo James |
| 5 | Mekdalawit Mequanent | 4 | 3 | SS20 to SS23 | Dolce & Gabbana , Diesel , Annakiki |
| 6 | Tsion Teferi | 2 | 1 | FW25 | Sunnei , Vivetta |
Ethiopian models at Milan Fashion Week, season by season
- 1 FW21
- 2 SS22
- 3 FW22
- 2 SS23
- 1 FW23
- 1 SS24
- 1 FW24
- 3 SS25
- 3 FW25
- 1 SS26
- 1 FW26
- 1 SS27
Distinct Ethiopian models with at least one show in Milan that season, every category. A hairline marks a season with none on record. Resort and Pre-Fall rows are not counted.
Share of Milan runway appearances
Ethiopian models took 0.13% of Milan runway appearances in Spring/Summer 2027, the latest season on record, from 0.17% in 2007.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | Ethiopian | Share | With nationality | Appearances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Not on record | Not on record | 570 | 598 |
| 2007 | 1 | 0.17% | 601 | 633 |
| 2008 | Not on record | Not on record | 1,137 | 1,259 |
| 2009 | Not on record | Not on record | 685 | 724 |
| 2010 | Not on record | Not on record | 597 | 631 |
| 2011 | Not on record | Not on record | 407 | 431 |
| 2012 | Not on record | Not on record | 1,684 | 1,799 |
| 2013 | Not on record | Not on record | 2,590 | 2,898 |
| 2014 | 1 | 0.03% | 3,073 | 3,589 |
| 2015 | Not on record | Not on record | 3,754 | 4,555 |
| 2016 | 3 | 0.07% | 4,037 | 5,074 |
| 2017 | 5 | 0.13% | 3,823 | 4,653 |
| 2018 | 11 | 0.29% | 3,762 | 4,481 |
| 2019 | 7 | 0.17% | 4,210 | 4,933 |
| 2020 | 9 | 0.19% | 4,630 | 5,211 |
| 2021 | 9 | 0.62% | 1,457 | 1,564 |
| 2022 | 11 | 0.35% | 3,185 | 3,435 |
| 2023 | 4 | 0.09% | 4,381 | 4,796 |
| 2024 | 6 | 0.13% | 4,718 | 5,080 |
| 2025 | 11 | 0.24% | 4,498 | 4,809 |
| 2026 | 3 | 0.08% | 3,746 | 3,925 |
| 2027 (SS27 only) | 2 | 0.13% | 1,506 | 1,581 |
Source: Tectova runway database · N = 1,506 Milan appearances with a nationality on record in SS27, of 1,581 · read 22 October 2026
One appearance per model per show in Milan, every category, by season year. Share = Ethiopian appearances divided by appearances whose model has a nationality on record. From 2006, the first year with 500 or more Milan appearances on record.
Houses in Milan that have cast Ethiopian models
Casting directors in Milan who cast the most Ethiopian models since 2025
- Décio Santos
- Ben Grimes
- Caterina Matteucci
- Martina Carolina Amadori
- Mischa Notcutt
- Sivan Currie
Questions this page answers
Who is the most cast Ethiopian model at Milan Fashion Week?
Amar Akway, with 28 shows in Milan on public record since 2002, across 9 seasons, as of 22 October 2026.
How many Ethiopian models walked Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2027?
1 Ethiopian model has a show on record in Milan for Spring/Summer 2027, as of 22 October 2026. The week closed on 28 September 2026 and casts are still being added. 1 walked in Fall/Winter 2026.
Cite as: Tectova, “Ethiopian models at Milan Fashion Week”, 22 October 2026, tectova.com/talent/from/ethiopia/milan.