20 hottest models 2020

BY: Andy Shoulders

With so many new faces popping up on each new season’s runways, it can be quite the task figuring out which ones have star power, and which ones simply do their jobs to sell the garments. We’ve compiled a list of 20 models, both new and experienced, that continue to make waves in the fashion industry. Some you’ll no doubt be familiar with, but we’ve also included some names that might not be on your radar yet.

HUNTER SCHAFER

Most people became familiar with Hunter Schafer after watching her incredible performance in HBO’s Euphoria. However, she was making a name for herself long before that, having already strutted the runways for every major brand from Dior to Marc Jacobs. Her role on Euphoria is especially important given the fact that it somewhat mirrors her own real-life transgender experience.

WINNIE HARLOW

After making a splash on America’s Next Top Model, the superstar we know now as Winnie Harlow took the fashion world by storm for her striking looks. She is also a public spokesperson for the skin condition vitiligo, which she herself has. Harlow masterfully used the condition to her advantage and has no problem standing out in a huge sea of catwalkers.

MIRIAM SANCHEZ

This androgynous beauty was literally plucked from obscurity and thrust into Louis Vuitton’s Spring/Summer 2019 show in a matter of days. Known for her striking masculine look, Miriam Sanchez is an instantly recognizable face on the runway, but don’t write her off as a one-trick pony. She’s also juggling modeling with earning her business degree.

BERIT HEITMANN

Having made her debut just last year at Prada’s Milan show, Berit Heitmann is one of the newest, freshest faces out there right now. She was discovered when she was just 15 years old at a casting held in a local furniture store, and with her trademark freckles and heavy eyebrows, we’re certain that we’ll be seeing this face for years to come.

LIU WEN

Chinese phenomenon Liu Wen was dubbed “China’s first bona fide supermodel” by The New York Times in 2012. She was also the first woman of Chinese descent to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show three years prior. She’s an avid traveler who created the hashtag #WenInFlight to document her journeys around the world.

AMBAR CRISTAL ZARZUELA

Cast right alongside Miriam Sanchez in Louis Vuitton’s Spring/Summer 2019 show, Ambar Cristal Zarzuela definitely made a splash last year. Hailing from Santo Domingo, Zarzuela booked nearly every major Spring/Summer 2020 show. She also scored her first international Vogue cover that same month.

KYLA RAMSEY

Kyla Ramsey already had some modeling experience under her belt by the time she started strutting the major runways – she modeled for her mother’s vintage clothing store in Connecticut. After scoring the opening spot for Prada’s Resort 2020 show in Manhattan, Ramsey’s trajectory has gone nowhere but up. She also mentors at a children’s home and hopes to use her success in modeling to give back to the community.

NING JINYI

After quietly working successfully for several seasons, newcomer Ning Jinyi made huge splash during the Spring/Summer 2020 season. She’s become one of the most in-demand faces in modeling, and is known for her malleability and versatility – easily transitioning from Prada’s whimsical aesthetic to one of Balmain’s fierce warriors.

MALIKA EL MASLOUHI

Much like Ning Jinyi, Moroccan-Italian stunner Malika el Maslouhi has the kind of beauty that can fit anywhere and sell anything. She was on seemingly every Spring/Summer 2020 runway, and she easily portrayed the dignified beauty of Chanel and Hermès, only to hop over to the whimsical party of the Moschino runway.

VALENTINA SAMPAIO

Valentina Sampaio made history when she became Victoria Secret’s first transgender model in August 2019. Born Valentino Sampaio in a fishing village in Brazil, this stunning beauty also made history by becoming the first transgender model to appear on the cover of Vogue Paris in 2017. After breaking so many barriers in such a short amount of time, Valentina Sampaio will be sure to have our full attention for many runways to come.

AJOK MADEL

She’s only been modeling for about two years, but Ajok Madel has managed to make quite a name for herself in a short amount of time. Born in South Sudan, Madel has appeared on every major runway from Alexander McQueen to Tom Ford, and was considered by most to be one of the top walkers of the Spring/Summer 2020 season.

GIGI HADID

A name you certainly know by now, we first started noticing Gigi Hadid while her mother was a part of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. It quickly became clear that Gigi was turning into a bombshell right before our eyes, with all the makings of a classic Guess girl (interestingly enough, her first job was modeling for Baby Guess when she was two years old). After being named Model of the Year by the Daily Front Row in 2015, things really started to take off, and now she’s, well, everywhere.

BELLA HADID

Bella Hadid soon followed in her sister’s footsteps and shot to a stratosphere all her own. She started appearing on all the major runways and in all the major fashion campaigns, and had a slight advantage over her sister due to her more high-fashion look. In 2019, she was declared the most beautiful woman in the world after scoring 94.35% accuracy on the Golden Ratio of Beauty Phi – a scientific test that measures physical symmetry and perfection.

KAIA GERBER

Literally a mini-me of her famous mother Cindy Crawford, Kaia Gerber carved her own path in the modeling world. She made her runway debut in 2017, walking for Raf Simmons’ Calvin Klein Collection. She would soon be found on the runways of every major designer, and even walked with her mom for Versace’s Spring/Summer 2018 show. She’s not stopping at modeling, either. In 2018, Gerber collaborated with Karl Lagerfeld to create the KarlxKaia collection.

KENDALL JENNER

Kendall Jenner knew she had to distance herself from THAT family if she was going to be taken seriously as a model. She did just that, and soon became known for her Tommy-Hilfiger-campaignesque face and signature walk. In 2014, she became an official representative for Estée Lauder, and by 2018, she was named the world’s highest-paid model by Forbes.

SACHA QUENBY

With a face like that, London-born Sacha Quenby started turning heads after her appearances in shows for J.W. Anderson and Givenchy. At just 19 years old, she’s already become one of the most recognizable faces in fashion, and with such striking features, it definitely won’t be long until the beauty companies start calling.

ANDREA PEJIC

Another name you’ve probably heard before, Andrea Pejic turned the modeling world on its head when she walked both the men’s and women’s shows for Jean-Paul Gaultier. She quickly became recognized as the first completely androgynous supermodel and is now one of the most well-known transgender models in the world.

SUI HE

After winning a modeling contest in her native China at 17, Sui He wasted no time making waves in the modeling industry. She became the first East Asian model to open a Ralph Lauren runway show and the second Chinese model to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. She is also an accomplished actress, with roles in 2015’s You Are My Sunshine and 2019’s Pegasus.

TAO OKAMOTO

After moving from her native Japan to Paris in 2006, Tao Okamoto started appearing on the European runways, one of the only prominent East Asian models to do so at the time. Every major fashion designer has clamored to work with the porcelain-skinned beauty, and, like Sui He, she’s also become a very accomplished actress. She made her debut as the female lead in 2013’s Wolverine, and went on to score recurring roles in Hannibal and Westworld.

CARA DELEVIGNE

Although she’s been a famous name and face for some time, that doesn’t make Cara Delevigne any less amazing. She was named Model of the Year at the British Fashion Awards twice – both in 2012 and 2014. You’ve no doubt seen some of her films as well, from Anna Karenina to Paper Towns to Pan. Delevingne has nailed the effortlessly-cool aura, something we haven’t quite seen since Kate Moss in the 90s.