Tyson Beckford, born December 19th 1970, is a pioneering model in the industry. Seen as the first African American supermodel, and the face of Ralph Lauren, Beckford is quite possibly the most well known male model worldwide. His more muscular build helped him craft an aesthetic that was one of a kind at the time.

Beckford, in many ways, stumbled into modeling stardom. In the summer of ‘92, he was approached by a talent scout, while hanging out in Washington Square Park in New York City.  The chance encounter led to his first job as a model for The Source magazine.  The very next year, with the help of an agent, he landed with Ralph Lauren.