Runway Fashion Kings: World’s Top 24 Male Models

The top female supermodels are easy to name off the top of our heads, but who are the male modelling industry’s Gisele Bündchen and Naomi Campbell?

Male models are unquestionably the attractive, chiselled face of the men’s fashion ecosystem, even though it could be argued that designers, editors, and stylists make up its core. Since the term “runway” first started to seep into the menswear lexicon, these almost otherworldly, living mannequins have given labels a way to showcase their work while also influencing the sartorial choices of regular people.

These facts are more evident than ever in the social media era. Today more than ever, male models from around the world have a significant impact on the fashion industry. Therefore, if you’re a man who takes his sense of style seriously, you need to be aware of who they are. Male models in the social media era have gained immense popularity and influence, as their presence on various platforms allows them to reach a global audience. With their captivating looks and unique fashion choices, they inspire and shape the trends followed by fashion enthusiasts worldwide. Therefore, staying informed about these influential male models is crucial for anyone looking to stay ahead in the ever-evolving fashion world.

These top models have been chosen for this article’s list based on a variety of criteria, including their longevity and current relevance, influence, impressive résumé, causes they support, and standout campaigns, rather than in any particular order.

Sean O’Pry

Most men may feel mildly embarrassed by their old prom pictures, but not Sean O’Pry, who, on the other hand, secured a highly lucrative career as a model for the most well-known fashion brands on the planet. O’Pry was discovered in 2006 through his MySpace prom photos by Nolé Marin when he was 17 years old, and over the ensuing decade, he quickly contributed to defining the face of menswear.

O’Pry, a Georgia native, has opened shows for Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy, and Salvatore Ferragamo and counts D&G, Fendi, Bottega Veneta, Belstaff, and Ralph Lauren among his clients. He frequently comes in first place in every reputable magazine’s “Most Successful Models” list. In addition to walking the runways, the model has appeared in several music videos, including Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” and Madonna’s “Girl Gone Wild,” where he played the love interest.

Alton Mason

The Nebraska-born model, who became the first black man to ever walk for Chanel, began as a dancer (he appeared with Diddy at the 2015 BET Awards), then entered the fashion industry. He has walked for almost all top designers, including Givenchy, Michael Kors, and Gucci. He is also remembered for his memorable flips at the Louis Vuitton menswear show (which Virgil Abloh later imitated in storefront displays).

Mason, who is also venturing into acting and music, is the son of a model and a former NBA player. In Baz Luhrman’s biopic of Elvis Presley, he plays Little Richard.

David Gandy

Veteran actor David Gandy is unquestionably the living embodiment of that distinctly British style that the world adores. Dandy Gandy is one of the few male models who can lead campaigns for brands like Dolce & Gabbana and Marks & Spencer while making them look equally appealing. He has built a career on the strength of his distinctive appearance, individual sense of style, and in-depth knowledge of menswear. Gandy, one of the most well-known male models alive today, also promotes tailoring, which is admirable in a fashion world that is becoming more casual.

Tyson Beckford

Despite being best known as Ralph Lauren’s face, Tyson Beckford is a seasoned fashion business veteran. The New Yorker, who boasts well over two decades of experience, has played a crucial role in the ongoing fight to increase fashion’s racial and gender diversity. The vast majority of that time was spent networking in the upper echelons. As if that weren’t impressive enough, Beckford’s connections in the fashion industry enabled him to transition to television as the host of America’s ‘Make Me A Supermodel.’ Vogue named him the “greatest male model of all time,” which makes sense given the circumstances.

Lucky Blue Smith

Social media has recently given the fashion industry access to a new platform that was previously wholly unimaginable. Older models make an effort to stay on top of it. However, using social media as a tool of their trade comes naturally to younger trendsetters like Lucky Blue Smith.

Smith, signed at 12, has spent the last ten years in fashion. He has walked the runways for everyone who is anyone during that time and has amassed an admirable 3.3 million devoted Instagram followers. A new wave of male models includes Lucky Blue. a generation that is more influential than before. This trailblazer is driving the change in how fashion is perceived.

Noah Mills

Noah Mills’ rise to fame was nothing short of meteoric. He was discovered by a scout in Canada one week and walked the Gucci runway in New York the next. As one of the most sought-after names in the business and one of Vogue’s Top 10 male models, Mills has walked the runway and been featured in advertisements for most top fashion houses. He is shot for movies and television when not being used in commercials. The Canadian model began acting in 2010, and since then, she has made numerous appearances in films and TV shows like Sex and the City 2 and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

Armando Cabral

The model is now based in New York after being born in Guinea-Bissau and growing up in Portugal. Cabral signed with IMG and began modelling in 2001 and 2006. He has fronted Balmain campaigns and walked in shows for Louis Vuitton, Dior Homme, and Thierry Mugler. Outside the modelling world, Cabral launched his line of shoes, stating to Forbes, “I used to always say, “If I ever have the opportunity, I would like to start my brand,” when working as a full-time model. In 2008, I began creating the idea for my shoe company.” It is now a dream come true, available everywhere, and fans can purchase his clothing.

A$AP Rocky

Now let’s talk about A$AP Rocky, who may not be a model by trade, but it would be unfair to ignore his contribution to the fashion industry through his work for companies like Dior, Calvin Klein, and DKNY. It’s no secret that the rapper from Harlem adores style. His aesthetic has long been used as evidence that he is one of the most stylish men in hip-hop, but his modelling career took off when he was chosen to be the face of Dior’s FW16 campaign.

A$AP today, Rocky is well-known for his music and sense of style. Instead of just name-dropping high-end fashion houses in songs, he has transitioned from rapping about them to fronting campaigns for them and now counts designers like Raf Simons and Rick Owens among his friends.

Hu Bing

There are overachievers, and then there are people like Hu Bing. He has represented China in the Olympics, made a name for himself as a serious actor, and served as a model for many of the most prestigious fashion brands in the world throughout his life. Bing began his modelling career in the 1990s. He was named “Top Chinese Male Model” in 1991, making him the first Chinese man to walk an international fashion runway.

Hu, a professional rower with a more than promising start, was forced to give up his sport at 19 due to an injury. His modelling career quickly took off after that, and Louis Vuitton and Valentino hired him. Although he has been well-known in the fashion world since the early 1990s, it wasn’t until he switched to TV and film that he became famous throughout Asia. He is now a veteran of the industry and one of the most renowned names in male modelling.

Marlon Teixeira

Brazilian modelling sensation Marlon Teixeira has probably walked for or fronted a campaign for any designer you can think of. The 28-year-old is well known for his chiselled bone structure and cast-iron abs, which he claims result from continuing to be active at the beach and frequently surfing since childhood. His grandmother introduced him to Anderson Baumgartner, the head of Way Model Management and a close family friend, and that is how his career started. Shortly after, he made editorial appearances in high-end Vogue, GQ, and Vanity Fair publications.

Luka Sabbat

Luka Sabbat is one of a new generation of male models who is proud to be a part of the social media generation and a full-fledged Instagram influencer. In terms of online popularity, they give their more experienced peers a serious run for their money. When Sabbat was 15 years old, ReQuest Model Management spotted him. He has walked the runway for brands like Calvin Klein and Dolce & Gabbana, appeared on television in productions like Grown-ish, and is a social media influencer for the Gen Z generation. In addition to being close friends with the model Kendall Jenner, Sabbat is also rumoured to have dated Kourtney Kardashian.

The 19-year-old has walked runways for more avant-garde designers like Off-White, Raf Simons, and others, in addition to illustrious high-fashion houses like D&G and Hugo Boss. Additionally, he contributed to the promotion of several Kanye West YEEZY seasons. Luka grew up in Paris and was raised by a stylist and a designer, so he was surrounded by fashion his entire life due to the combination of his social media savvy and background.

Evandro Soldati

According to Forbes, one of the most “successful male models” in the world, Soldati got his start when his mother entered him in a Ford contest in his home country of Brazil. His resume as a model features work for brands like Louis Vuitton, Valentino, and Guess. In 2007 and 2008, he served as the lead male model for advertisements for Giorgio Armani and Armani Jeans. Instagram users can follow Soldati’s explorations. On Instagram, Soldati shares captivating photos of his travels and adventures worldwide. His feed is filled with stunning landscapes, unique cultural experiences, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the glamorous world of modelling. With a large following, he has become an influential figure in the fashion industry, inspiring aspiring models and travel enthusiasts alike.

Kit Butler

He’s been called the “male version” of Cara Delevingne. Your perception of how influential this 20-year-old trailblazer is should be swayed in some way by this statement. Butler was scouted at an airfield where he and his uncle worked, but he was forced to stop playing rugby because his agent worried he might break his nose.

A former model who had seen the young British man suggested he attend an agency meeting after spotting him. He was immediately signed, and within a few months, he was walking shows for brands like Burberry, Armani, and Stone Island, to name a few. This accomplishment is even more remarkable given Kit’s short tenure of four years. And given his constantly growing resume and Instagram following, it’s hard not to believe that fashion enthusiasts will see more of him in the future.

Anwar Hadid

Anwar Hadid is a model and musician in his own right and the brother of fellow models Gigi and Bella, and a former romantic partner of Dua Lipa. He has collaborated with brands like Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, and Valentino while signed to IMG.

Hadid, who is equally well-known for his tattoos as for his connections to celebrities, breaks the mould with a contemporary appearance that would have been hard to find on campaigns and runways even ten years ago. Along with musician Yoni Laham, he established the jewellery and lifestyle brand Martyre in 2018.

Alex Lundqvist

Swedish design and styling may be known for their simplicity, but native Alex Lundqvist’s modelling achievements have been understated. Lundqvist’s career, which had started modestly in independent publications, went from 10 to 100 when he was discovered by photographer Bill Weber in the middle of the 1990s. In his prime, the 47-year-old was one of the original male supermodels, working on campaigns for everyone from Hugo Boss and Versace to Oliver People. You can find him on the golf course more often than on the cover of GQ, but his influence remains resonating, especially with the younger generation.

Any hobby that increases the likelihood of developing tiny purple bruises all over the body is probably not the best choice for someone who works in the underwear industry. Despite the dangers, Lundqvist is a highly skilled paintball player, and his brother Max is a true professional. Indeed more than just a pretty face.

Johannes Huebl

At the age of 17, Huebl began his modelling career. Working with photographers like Peter Lindbergh, he has appeared in Hugo Boss and Ralph Lauren campaigns. Huebl is talented even when not in front of the camera; he has photographed magazine covers for Grazia Qatar, Harper’s Bazaar Mexico, and Elle Spain. At runway shows and while out and about in New York City with his equally stylish wife, Olivia Palermo, you can frequently spot the model mingling with the industry’s elite.

Huebl, a native of Hannover, has made quick work of the male modelling industry, fronting advertisements for Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss, and DKNY and appearing in every reputable fashion magazine. The 42-year-old has also established himself as a legitimate street-style hero, and in the process, he even succeeded in gaining Olivia Palermo’s love. His effortless sense of style and ability to make even the most basic outfits look appropriate for a spot of Fashion Week peacocking is jaw-dropping.

Shaun Ross

Shaun Ross found his niche in the fashion industry as a young man after experiencing a childhood full of bullying. Ross, 27, is the first male albino professional model in history. He has modelled for Givenchy and Alexander McQueen and appeared in photo-editorial campaigns for GQ, I-D, Vogue, and Paper. Ross’s unique look and captivating presence on the runway have challenged traditional beauty standards and opened doors for greater diversity in the industry. His success showcases his exceptional talent and inspires others facing similar challenges to embrace their individuality and pursue their dreams.

The New Yorker has vocalised LGBT rights and inclusive fashion outside his modelling work. If you’ve been paying attention, this tough-minded young model has been at the forefront of the runways’ increasing diversity over the past few years.

Chella Man

Chella Man, one of the most well-known transgender men in the fashion industry, advocates for diversity. His career started when he began posting videos to YouTube about his experiences with gender dysmorphia and other things. He is deaf, genderqueer, and a person of colour who is Jewish.

He is one of the first transgender men to be signed by a beauty brand, helping Yves Saint Laurent launch its Nu cosmetics line. He has worked as a model for brands like Calvin Klein and Gap. To get more deaf people interested in fashion, a man has also introduced his line of jewellery that turns cochlear implants into something aesthetically pleasing and fashionable.

Haatepah

Haatepah, a Native American model, illustrates how someone in the fashion industry uses their platform to further the causes they are passionate about. Some of his clients include Nike, Uniqlo, and Ralph Lauren, but if you visit his Instagram, you’ll learn about his work as a climate change activist and supporter of indigenous rights.

In a world where brands are increasingly marketing to their audience based on their values and aesthetics, eloquence and authenticity are extremely important. Haatepah is one of the most talked-about models because he personifies that spirit and embodies the part.

Wisdom Kaye

According to Vogue’s assessment of Wisdom Kaye, he is the best-dressed man on Tik Tok, and we are not about to disagree. His aesthetic combines gothic blacks, multicoloured palettes, and modern and retro elements. Kaye’s ability to effortlessly blend these contrasting styles sets him apart from other fashion influencers on the platform. His unique fashion sense showcases his creativity and fearlessness in experimenting with different looks, making him a true trendsetter in the Tik Tok community.

The success of Kaye demonstrates the influence of social media in modern fashion. After becoming popular online for his fashion videos, he first appeared on the runway at Balmain’s SS20 show. Still, he has already added Dior, Fendi, Ralph Lauren, and Coach to his resume.

Isaac Carew

Carew is a multi-talented man who has worked as a chef and a model for brands like Hermes, Moschino, and Valentino. He also runs the YouTube channel The Dirty Dishes and has written a book by the same name. Dua Lipa is another well-known ex of The ‘Next’ Model.

Jordan Barrett

Barrett, an Australian discovered when he was 14, has long worked as an IT model. Barrett was named the Breakout Model of the Year by Models.com in 2015. She has walked the runway and appeared in editorials for designers like BOSS, Versace, Balmain, Tommy Hilfiger, and countless others. He wed the son of modelling agent John Casablancas, Fernando Casablancas, in 2021.

Oliver Cheshire

Calvin Klein is not bad for first jobs. This Hertfordshire young man started there shortly after being discovered at age 15. Cheshire has additionally modelled throughout his career for brands and creators like Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Orlebar Brown, Stella McCartney, Missoni, Hackett, Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister Co., Vivienne Westwood, Gap Inc., and Marks and Spencer. When he led their campaign, the latter reported a 50% increase in sales of men’s swimwear. Cheshire continues to model while experimenting with design. The first collection from His Che menswear label, which focuses on high-end resort wear with a mix of sportswear and tailoring influences, was released in 2019.

Jon Kortajarena

Spanish style icon, fashion king, and all-around menswear legend Jon Kortajarena must be included on any list of male models if it is to be considered complete. Kortajarena, a resident of Shoreditch, one of London’s hippest neighbourhoods, divides his time between fronting advertisements for high-end and mass-market brands. In addition to acting, he posts some of the most fashionable photos on Instagram to keep his followers happy.

He frequently claims that if he hadn’t gotten into modelling, he would have liked to start a photography business. But we’re sure we’re not the only ones who believe it would have been awkward for him to end up behind the camera rather than in front of it.