You’ve seen them on billboards in Times Square, scrolling past you on Instagram, walking down a runway in Paris like they own the pavement. These aren’t just faces-they’re global brands. In 2025, the top models aren’t just pretty faces with perfect posture. They’re influencers, activists, entrepreneurs, and cultural icons. And if you’re wondering who’s really shaping fashion right now, you’re not just curious-you’re paying attention to the heartbeat of style.
Who Are the Top Models Today?
Forget the old-school supermodels of the ’90s. The new wave of top models doesn’t wait for invitations-they create their own runway. In 2025, the list isn’t just about who walked the most shows. It’s about who moved culture, broke barriers, and sold out collections before they even hit stores.
Take Adut Akech, the South Sudanese-Australian model who went from refugee camp to opening Chanel’s haute couture show. She doesn’t just wear clothes-she redefines what it means to belong in high fashion. Then there’s Valentina Sampaio, the first openly transgender model to land a Victoria’s Secret campaign, now walking for Louis Vuitton and Dior. Her presence isn’t a trend-it’s a turning point.
On the other side of the spectrum, Yasmin Wijnaldum and Ami Russell are dominating editorial spreads and luxury campaigns with a quiet, powerful confidence. They don’t scream for attention. They command it. And brands like Gucci, Prada, and Saint Laurent are lining up.
And let’s not forget the new generation: Emmeline Boudet, 18, who just became the face of YSL Beauty, and Yara Shahidi, who’s not just a model but a Harvard grad and activist-her face now on the cover of Vogue Paris with the headline: "Beauty with a Purpose."
What Makes a Model "Top" in 2025?
Back in the day, being a top model meant being tall, thin, and photogenic. Today? It’s about depth. Brands don’t just want someone who looks good in a dress-they want someone who stands for something.
Here’s what really matters now:
- Authenticity - You can’t fake a voice. Models like Adut and Valentina speak openly about identity, trauma, and inclusion-and fans follow them because they feel real.
- Global Representation - Fashion finally stopped pretending the world is only white, European, and cisgender. Models from Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Indigenous communities are no longer tokens-they’re headliners.
- Business Savvy - Top models now launch beauty lines, write books, or produce documentaries. Gigi Hadid’s beauty brand, Hadid Beauty, raked in $80 million in its first year. Kaia Gerber co-founded a sustainable denim line. They’re not just models-they’re CEOs.
- Platform Power - A model with 10 million Instagram followers has more influence than a magazine spread. Brands pay them directly, bypassing agencies. The power shifted. And the models took it.
The Evolution of the Model Industry
Think about it: 20 years ago, agencies controlled everything. You got scouted at a mall, signed a contract you didn’t understand, and spent years waiting for your big break. Today? A 16-year-old in Lagos posts a photo in her local market, gets tagged by a stylist in London, and lands a campaign with H&M within weeks.
Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have flattened the industry. You don’t need to be in Milan or New York anymore. You just need a story, a camera, and courage.
Agencies still exist, but they’re playing catch-up. The top models now hire their own teams-photographers, stylists, publicists. They’re not waiting for permission. They’re building empires.
And the numbers prove it. According to the Fashion Transparency Index 2025, the top 20 models by earnings accounted for 42% of all global fashion campaign spending-up from 18% in 2018. That’s not a fluke. That’s a revolution.
Where Are They Now? Beyond the Runway
These women aren’t stopping at fashion shows. They’re changing industries.
Naomi Campbell, now in her 50s, runs a nonprofit that trains young models from underrepresented communities in Africa. She’s not just a legend-she’s a mentor.
Behati Prinsloo turned her love for sustainable living into a line of organic skincare, sold in over 200 stores across Europe and North America.
Winnie Harlow, who turned vitiligo into her signature, now speaks at the UN about body diversity. She doesn’t model for brands that don’t align with her values.
These aren’t side hustles. They’re legacies.
How Brands Choose Their Top Models
It’s not just about looks anymore. Here’s what actually happens behind closed doors:
- Brands use AI tools to scan social media for engagement rates, audience demographics, and sentiment analysis-not just follower count.
- They look at how a model responds to criticism. Do they shut down? Or do they grow?
- They check if the model has ever been involved in controversy. But now, they also look at whether they’ve used their platform to fix it.
- They test how the model performs in real-time campaigns-live streams, unboxing videos, TikTok challenges.
One major luxury brand told me (off the record) that they dropped a top model last year because she had 12 million followers but only 1.2% engagement. "We don’t want noise. We want connection," they said.
What’s Next? The Future of Modeling
The next wave? Hybrid models-people who aren’t just models but creators, coders, artists. We’re already seeing it: models who design their own clothing lines, write scripts for fashion films, or even build AR filters for their campaigns.
And the body standards? They’re finally breaking. Curvy, tall, short, disabled, older, gender-fluid-fashion is no longer a single mold. It’s a mosaic.
By 2027, experts predict that over 60% of top model campaigns will be led by non-traditional models. That’s not a prediction. It’s already happening.
Why This Matters to You
Even if you’re not in fashion, this shift matters. Because these models aren’t just selling clothes-they’re selling a new idea of beauty. Of power. Of worth.
They’re proving that you don’t need to fit in to stand out. That your voice, your story, your scars-they’re not flaws. They’re your brand.
So the next time you see a model on a billboard, ask yourself: Is this just another pretty face? Or is this someone who’s rewriting the rules?
FAQ: Your Questions About Top Models Answered
Who is the highest-paid model in 2025?
As of 2025, Adut Akech holds the title for highest-paid model, with earnings estimated at $14.2 million. Her income comes from exclusive runway contracts with Chanel and Dior, plus her own sustainable fashion line and global ambassador deals with L’Oréal and Apple Watch. She’s the first African-born model to top the Forbes modeling list.
Do top models still need agencies?
Some do, but fewer than ever. Top models today often manage their own careers with a small team: a manager, a publicist, and a legal advisor. Agencies still handle big runway bookings and international logistics, but direct brand deals are now handled independently. Many top models have cut ties with agencies entirely.
Can anyone become a top model today?
Yes-but not the way it used to work. You don’t need to be 5’10” and size 0. Brands are looking for uniqueness, voice, and influence. A model with a strong social following, a compelling personal story, and a clear aesthetic can rise faster than someone who fits the old mold. Social media has opened the door-but it also demands authenticity.
How do top models stay relevant?
They evolve. They launch products, speak out on social issues, collaborate with artists, or create content beyond fashion. A model who only walks runways fades. One who builds a brand, speaks truth, and connects with people stays on top. It’s not about looking perfect-it’s about being real.
Are there male top models in 2025?
Absolutely. Male models like Dev Patel (yes, the actor turned model), Lucas Lucco, and Wesley Koolhof are dominating campaigns for Armani, Dior Homme, and Louis Vuitton. But the industry is still male-dominated in earnings. The top 5 male models combined earn about 40% of what the top 5 female models do. Change is coming, but slowly.
Final Thought: Beauty Is No Longer a Standard-It’s a Statement
The top models of 2025 aren’t just walking down runways. They’re walking through doors that used to be locked. They’re the reason your niece can see herself in a magazine. They’re the reason a kid in Nairobi can dream of being on a billboard in Sydney.
Fashion doesn’t just dress bodies anymore. It tells stories. And the best models? They’re the ones who know how to tell theirs.
