Nyakim Gatwech

Typically a space for the beauties that dominate Tinsletown, this week, we’re shining a light on a model whose beauty transcends the exterior.  South Sudanese/Minnesota based model Nyakim Gatwech has been making waves across the blogosphere, and it’s not hard to see why.

With skin as dark and flawless as a polished obsidian stone, Nyakim glows in just about any color.  And being a makeup enthusiast allows her room to play with vivid colors.  Bright blues, reds, and yellows pop against her smoldering complexion, especially when paired with bold colored clothing.
  Even in printed designs, the patterns don’t overwhelm her look and compliment her skin tone so beautifully.   Despite slaying photoshoot after photoshoot, however, the 24 year old has been on the receiving end of some ridiculous questions and comments as it relates to her skin.  She recounted an exchange with an Uber driver earlier this year.
“I was (asked by) my Uber driver the other day, he said, ‘Don’t take this offensive but if you were given 10 thousand dollars would you bleach your skin for that amount?’”
Her response?  A guttural laugh that pretty much answered his question with a resounding ” hell no!”
 In a world still motivated by European beauty standards, Nyakim unabashedly goes against the grain, grateful for the “melanin God blessed her with.”  Though she has admitted the thought of lightening her skin crossed her mind a few years ago, the negative and harmful effects of the skin lightening process didn’t seem as appealing anymore.  She eventually became comfortable in her own skin, and that comfort turned into confidence.

Now boasting over 100,000 Instagram followers, Nyakim (@queenkim_nyakim) feels it’s her duty to be a beacon of hope and a pillar of inspiration for women who still struggle with skin-positivity and self-acceptance.  For that, and literally laughing in the face of privileged ignorance, we salute Nyakim!

 What do you think of Nyakim Gatwech?