Lerato Moloi

Who is Lerato Moloi?

Lerato Moloi is a South African fashion model who, in 2009, became the first black face for the cosmetics brand Elizabeth Arden. Initially, Moloi had been interested in psychology, but after visiting a modeling agency with her mother and younger sister, she became interested in modeling. Her modeling career officially began at the age of 17 and her first professional photo shoot was for Elle Magazine.

Controversy erupted in 2000 when a New York modeling agency told Lerato Moloi that she needed to lose weight before modeling. The incident sparked international debate over the use of underweight models in the Fashion Industry. Lerato Moloi told BBC News, " young girls in africa are increasingly concerned with being thin-the more exposed we are to western media-the more we buy into.". In 2002,she participated in the M-Net Face of Africa pageant and became a finalist.

Lerato Moloi has recently modeled for Elizabeth Arden's "Eight Hour Cream," skin care line. As the first black face for Elizabeth Arden, Lerato Moloi has stated that she wants to dispel the myth that UV protection is not essential for women of color.