Nyakim Gatwech, the South Sudanese descent African model who’s teaching people not to be afraid of the dark. With her deeply pigmented skin and fierce determination, the dark skin model is breaking down the barriers of conventional beauty and encouraging others to do the same. Gatwech is known for her naturally dark skin color and has been nicknamed the Queen of the Dark.
Gatwech has faced self-esteem issues and comments from people who promote bleaching to lighten skin color, but learned to embrace her beauty and pigmentation with love and support from her fans.
Nyakim Gatwech’s parents lived in Maiwut, South Sudan, before they fled the South Sudanese civil war to Gambela, Ethiopia where Nyakim was born. From there, they migrated in Kenya where they lived in refugee camps, and finally she migrated to the US with her family, while she was 14 years of age. Originally settling in Buffalo, New York, she later moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Although she wasn’t born or has been to South Sudan, she still considers herself as South Sudanese. She considered a modelling career after taking part in a fashion show at St. Cloud State University. She has appeared in promotional posters for the 2017 film Jigsaw.
“My skin absorbs the suns rays and my hair defies gravity. Now you can’t tell me I’m not magical!”
Nyakim Gatwech
The 27-year-old African model and fashion icon, who now lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has no shame about her melanin, and she makes sure the world is aware. “My chocolate is elegant. So is what I represent… A nation of warriors,” she captioned one of her many Instagram photos, which routinely exceed 10 thousand likes each. In another, she details an experience in which an Uber driver suggested she try ‘bleaching’ her skin – and her only response was laughter. “You won’t believe the kind of questions I get and the kind of looks I get for having this skin.”
Gatwech is not only an advocate for diversity in the fashion industry but also a voice for Black rights around the world. She’s even been dubbed “Queen of Darkness,” a title she happily accepts. “Black is bold, black is beautiful, black is gold… Don’t let American standards damage your African soul.” Love the skin you live in, no matter what color or shade it may be!
