Ethiopian models at New York Fashion Week
As of 22 October 2026, 9 Ethiopian models have walked at least one show in New York since 2002. 4 of them have walked ten or more there. Liya Kebede leads with 40 New York shows across 26 seasons.
Share figures use the 4,338 of 5,338 models on record in New York since 2002 whose nationality is on record.
Updated 22 October 2026 · Public runway records since 2002 · Methodology
Most cast Ethiopian models at New York Fashion Week
Ranked by shows walked in New York since 2002, one credit per show. Ties keep alphabetical order. How shows are counted
9 models on record in New York.
| Rank | Model | Shows in New York | Seasons | New York span | Houses in New York |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liya Kebede | 40 | 26 | FW02 to SS24 | Ralph Lauren , Oscar de la Renta , Calvin Klein |
| 2 | Shanelle Nyasiase | 39 | 10 | SS18 to SS25 | Gabriela Hearst , Marc Jacobs , Sies Marjan |
| 3 | Lula Kenfe | 32 | 17 | SS15 to FW24 | Christian Siriano , Thom Browne , Bibhu Mohapatra |
| 4 | Amar Akway | 11 | 5 | SS22 to SS25 | Carolina Herrera , Jason Wu , Khaite |
| 5 | Tsion Teferi | 6 | 1 | SS27 | Thom Browne , Libertine , Monse |
| 6 | Sifan Hunde | 4 | 4 | FW24 to SS26 | TWP , Hermès , Diotima |
| 7 | Alewya Demmisse | 3 | 2 | SS15 to SS16 | Baja East , DKNY |
| 8 | Shwayeh Cooke | 2 | 2 | SS22 to SS26 | Markarian , House Of Aama |
| 9 | Mekdalawit Mequanent | 1 | 1 | SS23 | Collina Strada |
Ethiopian models at New York Fashion Week, season by season
- 1 FW21
- 4 SS22
- 4 FW22
- 5 SS23
- 2 FW23
- 2 SS24
- 2 FW24
- 3 SS25
- 1 FW25
- 2 SS26
- FW26
- 1 SS27
Distinct Ethiopian models with at least one show in New York that season, every category. Oxblood marks the highest season; a hairline marks a season with none on record. Resort and Pre-Fall rows are not counted.
Share of New York runway appearances
Ethiopian models took 0.36% of New York runway appearances in Spring/Summer 2027, the latest season on record, from 0.90% in 2008.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | Ethiopian | Share | With nationality | Appearances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 7 | 0.90% | 780 | 834 |
| 2009 | 1 | 0.10% | 957 | 1,037 |
| 2010 | Not on record | Not on record | 437 | 454 |
| 2011 | 1 | 0.43% | 233 | 244 |
| 2012 | 2 | 0.15% | 1,359 | 1,397 |
| 2013 | 1 | 0.06% | 1,710 | 1,809 |
| 2014 | 1 | 0.04% | 2,574 | 2,821 |
| 2015 | 9 | 0.34% | 2,619 | 2,920 |
| 2016 | 6 | 0.19% | 3,221 | 3,773 |
| 2017 | 6 | 0.18% | 3,392 | 3,991 |
| 2018 | 22 | 0.62% | 3,530 | 4,062 |
| 2019 | 12 | 0.32% | 3,771 | 4,315 |
| 2020 | 13 | 0.33% | 3,930 | 4,374 |
| 2021 | 2 | 1.0% | 193 | 223 |
| 2022 | 12 | 0.53% | 2,259 | 2,518 |
| 2023 | 10 | 0.31% | 3,220 | 3,628 |
| 2024 | 7 | 0.21% | 3,322 | 3,697 |
| 2025 | 6 | 0.21% | 2,846 | 3,127 |
| 2026 | 2 | 0.07% | 3,046 | 3,300 |
| 2027 (SS27 only) | 6 | 0.36% | 1,647 | 1,774 |
Source: Tectova runway database · N = 1,647 New York appearances with a nationality on record in SS27, of 1,774 · read 22 October 2026
One appearance per model per show in New York, every category, by season year. Share = Ethiopian appearances divided by appearances whose model has a nationality on record. From 2008, the first year with 500 or more New York appearances on record.
Ethiopian models new to New York Fashion Week
Ethiopian models whose first New York season is Spring/Summer 2026 to Spring/Summer 2027, ranked by New York shows since that debut. Definition
| Rank | Model | Shows since debut | First New York season | First Big Four season | Houses in New York |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tsion Teferi | 6 | Spring/Summer 2027 | Fall/Winter 2024 | Thom Browne , Libertine , Monse |
Houses in New York that cast the most Ethiopian models
Casting directors in New York who cast the most Ethiopian models since 2025
Questions this page answers
Who is the most cast Ethiopian model at New York Fashion Week?
Liya Kebede, with 40 shows in New York on public record since 2002, across 26 seasons, as of 22 October 2026.
How many Ethiopian models walked New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2027?
1 Ethiopian model has a show on record in New York for Spring/Summer 2027, as of 22 October 2026. The week closed on 15 September 2026 and casts are still being added.
Which houses cast the most Ethiopian models at New York Fashion Week?
Christian Siriano leads with 10 documented appearances by 1 Ethiopian model in New York, followed by Carolina Herrera and Oscar de la Renta.
Cite as: Tectova, “Ethiopian models at New York Fashion Week”, 22 October 2026, tectova.com/talent/from/ethiopia/new-york.