Top 10 Models of 2019

As 2019 approaches its final days, I’d like to reminisce on all the good and bad that has happened to me this year. Regardless of which memory fit either spectrum, 2019 was lit. And I'm closing it out as a member of the Perime team ;) So with that being said, I would like to thank my family and gang gang for keeping me on my toes 365.

But in all seriousness, in terms of fashion, 2019 was riveting. Their were phenomenal campaigns, editorials, runway shows, and designs, overall more good than bad. We saw new rising stars and we lost some real ones, but that’s the cycle of fashion and the cycle of life. The constant change is what keeps fashion exclusive, and drives people to create bigger and better.

As the labels of influencer and model swap and interweave, I felt it was very important to highlight my top MODELS of 2019. How the general public perceives top models should be more than social media followings and Instagram ads. Those are societies’ characteristics of a favorable model, however, they don’t determine if you can walk a runway or wear a design and not let the design wear you. What made these models stand out to me this year was a combination of their relevance, campaigns, cover shoots, collabs, runway appearances (which I feel is a VERY important aspect to labeling yourself as a model), charitable contributions both within and outside of fashion, street style, and overall bad bitchness.

These models met nearly all of the criteria, some more than others, but regardless they made the list for a reason. Now if everyone would join me in giving a big round of applause for my top 10 models of the year!

BELLA HADID

First up, we have Bella Hadid. I truly believe she was one of the hottest models of year, without a doubt! She serves the best face of all the models of this list, and her streetstyle is 5 stars (you can thank Mimi Cuttrell). She is a model, you can always see is on the go, because she’s in demand. This year she graced 6 Vogue covers, the third highest for the year (shared with fellow model Brigit Kos). As well as countless other magazine covers, editorials, and campaigns that were featured all over the globe. This year she campaigned with Alexander Wang, Michael Kors, Missoni, Dior Backstage, Versace, Moschino, Bulgari, and Kith x Versace for 2019. She also just released another collaboration with Chrome Hearts. And to top off her hectic editorial schedule, she has managed to walk 42 official shows for Fashion Week collectively this year. Aside from fashion, she often uses her social platform to collect resources and share a variety of charities. Shedding light on her ethnic roots, support for Palestine, forest fires, environmental campaigns, and as of a few days ago, children toy donations for Christmas.

IMAAN HAMMAM

There is no top model list without mentioning Imaan Hammam. She is an Egyptian and Moroccan Dutch beauty with a killer body. From her bone structure, to her legs, to her hair, she stands out in every level. And that's all without mentioning her fierce walk. While she didn’t walk that much for Fashion Week this year, she has been keeping herself busy on the editorial side. This year she covered 4 Vogue Magazine covers, the same amount alongside Rebecca Longendyke, Anok Yai,Vittoria Ceretti, and Karen Elson. She also campaigned with Tiffany & co., Versace, H&M, Chloe, Express, Chanel Beauty, Moschino, and Revlon for 2019. Also making her so memorable are the red carpet appearances. She always stands out in whatever designer she is wearing and she almost always tops the best dressed list. Aside from fashion, Imaan is the global ambassador for She’s The First. This organization focuses on education, treatment and rights towards girls around the world. All these combined make her a personal favorite of my list.

GIGI HADID

When I think of Malibu Barbie meets NYC, I envision Gigi Hadid. I think she balances the fashion world and her personal endeavors very well. And that is what keeps her out of controversy, and constantly booked and busy. As the fashion industry has stretched out into more diverse avenues, her classic look remains a consistent feature, as shown in her 8 Vogue covers (the most for 2019)! Gigi has landed campaigns with Prada, Moschino, Burberry, Tom Ford, Maybelline, and Michael Kors Fragrance for 2019. Since finishing her 3 season Tommy Hilfger joint shows, Gigi has released collabs with Reebok, Vogue Eyewear and Messika Jewelry. In terms of charity, Gigi is also a UNICEF ambassador, recently co-founding a school with Pencils of Promise, named “Dodi Papase ARS Basic School” in Ghana (est. 2019). Of all her accomplishments, this is probably her greatest because schools have a positive lasting impact that affects all aspects of a society. She has recently been to Senegal as well, learning about maternity health, and donating supplies to doctor offices that need it, in order to help fertility and birth rates in that region. This type of work, time and dedication is what is needed from all top models that share the same platform.

ADUT AKECH BIOR

Queen Adut! The South Sudanese beauty who looks like a literal piece of art. From January to December she owned the fashion industry. I should start off by saying she walked nearly 80 shows this year! My personal favorite will always be her presence during a Maison Valentino show. She embodies the designs she wears, and it is so evident in her walk and in the way anything she is given, compliments her. It is easy, especially for larger, structural pieces of art to drown the model and outshine what is supposed to be an equal viewing. But Adut wears the designs, she doesn’t let the designs wear her. Along with her countless runway appearances, she shared the second most Vogue covers of 2019, 7 to be exact, with Irina Shayk. Adut, a former refugee, turned supermodel has had her face global on Maison Valentino, Missoni, Bottega Veneta, Coach, Versace, Moschino, Marc Jacobs, Chanel, and Givenchy ads. And she also took home the British Fashion Council 2019 Model of the Year. It is good to see credit given when due, because she is a memorable face with the DNA, work ethic and walk of a supermodel!

KAIA GERBER

The youngest model in her league right now! While many categorize her as a nepotism model, she for sure has forged her own distinguishable path. Her mom may be supermodel Cindy Crawford, but I highly doubt that that alone has led to her current campaigns with Stella McCartney, Jimmy Choo, YSL Beauty, Saint Laurent (rip to the Yves part), and Fendi at only 18 years old. A huge part in being a successful model is being a memorable face, and for a model just starting, that type of work is shown in your runway experience. Being a runway model, as well as an editorial model automatically gives you bonus points on my list. Your work ethic, consistency and reliability is confirmed, and it no longer shows that campaigns and picky, choosy covers are handed to you based off of your name. Kaia has walked 58 official shows for the year 2019. On top of her incredible legs, she also has a phenomenal walk. Allowing her to dominate the runway like a pro, regardless of her age.

FEI FEI SUN

I like to think of Fei Fei as the veteran without being a veteran. At 30 years old, she graces covers, runways, and campaigns together with those nearly a decade younger, while showing such poise and youth. She has the most gorgeous cheekbones, which have been seen in Salvatore Ferragamo, Salvatore Ferragamo Eyewear, H&M, Tiffany & Co, Dsquared, Estee Lauder, Louis Vuitton, Tory Burch and Etro campaigns for this year. Fei Fei has also graced 2 Vogue covers this year. Although she didn’t walk much for fashion week this year, I promise her walk is the most graceful strut you’ve ever seen. She has owned her field for years, and possesses a high rank amongst the current supermodels of this generation; hence her placement in my top models list today.

HALIMA ADEN

After bursting into the fashion industry in 2017 with her perfect face, and selfless personality, Halima Aden has gone on to represent more than the brands she is wearing. This Somalian-American force within the industry, is one of the first hijab wearing top models in the high fashion industry! Through every cover, campaign, or walk she consistently represents an underrepresented group of women who now can see a reflection of themselves, and their religion, skin and culture in our mainstream media. She continuously breaks barriers in the way societal views portray, misunderstand and stereotype hijab wearing women. And that is why she is one of my favorite top models of 2019. Besides her walking 10 shows this year, this newcomer has campaigns with Mac Cosmetics, Shiseido, and Story Making. She was also the first woman to wear a hijab and burkini for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2019. Aside from fashion, Halima is also a global ambassador for UNICEF to help keep girls in school globally. She is an inspirational role model and model. It can't get any better than that!

WINNIE HARLOW

Disclaimer: Yes, I heard she was mean during her time on America’s Next Top Model, but that is reality tv, let me live.

While her past has always piggied behind her success, I would like to mention that her presence was undeniable in 2019. I haven’t heard her name this much since her breakout year. Winnie Harlow has walked 12 official shows this year, as well as a collaboration with both KKW Beauty and Steve Madden. She also campaigned with Mac VIVA Glam 25 and Byblos this year. Of course, you cannot mention Winnie without bringing up her skin condition, Vitiligo. However, I feel it is important to emphasize that she is not a vitiligo model, she is a model who just happens to have vitiligo. By being a celebrity with this skin condition, she herself has automatically become a role model to many who look like her. Even though she doesn’t like to be called a role model, it is inevitable, especially when someone accomplishes what she did and has elevated to a celeb status as a result. As she continues to rise, she will have her vitiligo on the forefront. And the millions of people with the same exact skin condition, no matter how severe, can continue to see someone who is a reflection of their unique skin.

LIU WEN

The supermodel who never stops working! Liu is credited as the world's first Chinese Supermodel. At 31 years old, she is still going hard as if she just stepped on the scene. I mean, her age doesn’t even match the way she looks if we’re being honest, so she can go on for another 40 years and I wouldn’t complain. She has always represented this simple, yet magnetic model who accomplishes so much; but isn’t present so much in the limelight. This is why I wanted to include her in my list. She had one cover for Vogue this year (and another for Jan 2020), as well as covers with Grazia China, Cosmopolitan China, Harper's Bazaar China, and Elle Chinal. She also had campaigns with Calvin Klein, Tory Burch, Chanel Beauty, Tod’s, Coach, and Prada for 2019. Liu walked 24 shows this year, including Chanel, Givenchy, Alexander Wang, Versace and Fendi (big tings only)! And lastly, she has a collab with Erdos. Regardless of mainstream attention, Liu is on my radar. And she represents someone who is hardworking, booked and recognizable, on a global level. And that’s something you have to respect.

ADWOA ABOAH

The final model on my top 10 list, is Adwoa Aboah. She is an eccentric British model who rocks tooth gems like they’re her business. Everything about her is unconventional in comparison to what your typical model may look or act like. She is an outspoken model and activist, with a face full of freckles, and dyed bald hair. She had 2 Vogue covers this year, including a hand selected cover from the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle for her Vogue UK September issue. She was chosen among over a dozen of other cover stars for her activism and work towards change. And she had campaigns with Gurls Talk x Revlon, Revlon, Nike, Barbie and Mania for 2019. But her work goes far beyond the fashion realm, which was the main reason for adding her on my list. She is the cofounder of the Gurls Talk podcast; it centers around mental health, addiction and other stigmas. As a former addict, she uses her platform and previous experiences to advocate for women’s health. She represents a charitable model who while remaining in the fashion industry, has dedicated so much of her time and own life to helping others achieve their goals.