We’ve already curated lists of our favorite fashion photographers and the coolest stylists, so now it’s time to turn our attention to those actually wearing the clothes and posing behind the camera: the models. First spotted on the runways of emerging designers and the campaigns of indie brands, our favorite models rise to become it-girls in their own right, followed online for their own sense of unique style and approach to the industry.
From big names like Gabbriette, Paloma Elsesser and Amelia Gray to rising stars like Skye Standley and Monet Lauren, here’s a run-down of our favorite models to follow for inspo, just in time for fashion month to begin.
Scroll down for a closer look at some of the coolest models in the industry today, and what you need to know about them.
Gabbriette
Gabbriette Bechtel had her start as a musician in a band called Nasty Cherry before she began modeling and has since starred in campaigns for brands like Juicy Couture, Paris Texas, Y-3 and Marc Jacobs. During lockdown, she cultivated her love of cooking and in 2022, Gabbriette announced that she’d be creating her own cookbook. Throughout her career, she’s been credited with spearheading the rise of thin eyebrows and smokey eye makeup.
Amelia Gray
Amelia Gray Hamlin is no stranger to the world of fashion. At a young age, she made her television debut via The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills with supermodel Lisa Rinna as her mom. The model started out creating style content on Instagram and eventually made her runway debut in 2018 for Dennis Basso, followed by London’s Yuhan Wang in 2021. Since then, Gray has starred in several luxury brand campaigns, working with names like Vivienne Westwood, Versace and Givenchy, leading her to the runways of Paris Fashion Week and Haute Couture Week.
Alex Consani
In 2015, Alex Consani became the world’s youngest transgender model at just 12 years old. She signed with IMG Models in 2019 and since then, has graced the runways of major brands like Burberry, Coperni, Chloe and BOSS, also appearing in the recent collaboration between Jean Paul Gaultier and KNWLS.
Paloma Elsesser
Paloma Elsesser was actually discovered on Instagram by makeup mogul Dame Pat McGrath. Since she started out, she’s modeled for brands like GANNI, Fenty Beauty and Balenciaga and was even dubbed “Model of the Year” at the British Fashion Awards in 2023. From the beginning, she was known as one of the few plus-size models in luxury fashion and in 2023, she co-designed a size-inclusive collection with GANNI.
Monet Lauren
Monet Lauren began her fashion career while studying at university and eventually signed to The Four Models in 2021. Soon after, she signed to agencies in France and Germany and began modeling for brands like Laura Mercier and TALA. In 2022, she made her runway debut, walking for Fashion East’s Karoline Vitto and since then, she’s worked with names like POSTER GIRL, Dilara Findikoglu and GANNI.
Skye Standley
Skye Standley was named one to watch by inclusive casting director Emma Matell after she cast her for Sinead O’Dwyer‘s London runway show in 2022. Standley signed to Anti Agency that year and has since walked for multiple O’Dwyer shows alongside Paolina Russo and GANNI, plus multiple campaign appearances for Savage X Fenty.
Jade O’Belle
Jade O’Belle began modeling in 2017, working with Sinead O’Dwyer back in 2018 and appearing in a slew of art and fashion exhibitions. By 2019, she’d worked with brands like Daily Paper and Di Petsa and renowned fashion photographers like Nick Knight, Harley Weir and Carlijn Jacobs. As well as modeling, O’Belle also has a background in fashion design, creating hand-stitched corsets, thongs and underwear, alongside directing short film and music videos.
Ikram Abdi
Ikram Abdi began modeling as early as 2018, appearing on multiple magazine covers and eventually — became the first hijabi model to feature in Burberry’s festive campaign the following year. Since then, she’s modeled for brands like Nike, Victoria Beckham and Harrods, and walked the runway for Richard Quinn, Tommy Hilfiger and GCDS.
Sheerah Ravindren
Sheerah Ravindren has appeared in music videos for Beyonce and JGrrey alongside campaigns for Savage X Fenty and Charles Jeffrey. They made their runway debut with London-based designer Di Petsa in 2020, followed by Ashish in 2023 and earlier this year, debuted at Berlin Fashion Week, walking the runway for Namilia and Kitschy Couture.
Tara Raani
Tara Raani is a writer, actor, and model based in New York, previously known for her role as Zaara Ali on the TV series grown-ish. Throughout her career so far, Raani has walked for Burberry, Coperni and Gucci and was named a breakout model to watch after a super successful runway season for SS24.
