2020s EMERGING MODELS
They Are Breaking Big Time
You probably haven’t heard of these up and coming models yet, but trust us, these ten striking beauties should be on your radar.
MAYOWA NICHOLAS
This Nigerian-born beauty got her first big break when she became a finalist in the Elite Model Look contest in 2014. She made her runway debut the following year, walking for fashion houses such as Balmain and Kenzo. More recently, she became the first Nigerian model to star in Dolce & Gabbana, Calvin Klein, and Saint Laurent campaigns.
HE CONG
Chinese beauty He Cong killed the Fall/Winter 2017 season after walking in forty-two (yes, 42) shows. It led Models.com to name her as one of the top three runway models of that season. She made her official debut in 2013 after Valentino chose her to open and close a select show in Shanghai. Don’t let the pretty face fool you, though. He Cong is known for being quite the prankster. She once replaced the cream filling in all of her sister’s Oreos with toothpaste.
ABBY CHAMPION
Abby Champion hails from Alabama and was spotted in the Bahamas while still in high school. However, she waited until after graduation to start modeling, and she quickly became a runway staple for everyone from Chanel to Miu Miu. Champion walked in Versace’s and Etro’s Spring/Summer 2021 shows and Calvin Klein’s Fall/Winter 2020 ad campaign.
CARA TAYLOR
Also from Alabama, Cara Taylor was spotted on her Instagram page by Onyx Model Management of Huntsville. Just weeks later, no less than fourteen agencies from both New York and Los Angeles wanted to meet with her. By 2018, she was one of sixteen models (along with famous names like Gigi Hadid and Adut Akech) to be nominated for Model of the Year by Models.com.
MARJAN JONKMAN
Dutch beauty Marjan Jonkman owes her discovery to Facebook, and she began her career as an exclusive model for Saint Laurent. 2016 was her breakout year after she walked in sixty-two shows during the Fall/Winter season. Jonkman has become an antidote to predictable models, which has led to quirky-cool designer brands like Gucci and Moschino booking her for numerous shows. Whether it’s her relaxed attitude, a furrowed brow, or her fierce blond bob, this girl has a look that keeps all eyes fixed on her.
CHU WONG
With cheekbones that could cut glass, Chinese stunner Chu Wong graced the cover of this year’s Elle China September issue and appeared in Hermès Beauty’s Fall 2020 ad campaign. As far as “new faces” go, Wong has been in the game longer than most, having walked her first Paris Fashion Week in 2015. However, her cutting-edge, androgynous look has started to gain traction, especially after Burberry’s 2018 spread in L’Officiel Malaysia magazine, where she sported former Creative Director Christopher Bailey’s final collection.
HIANDRA MARTINEZ
Having made a name for herself as Saint Laurent’s “It Girl” in 2017 (she walked exclusively for the label that year and starred in its campaign), Dominican Republic native Hiandra Martinez has also walked for Valentino and Chanel. This year, she landed the cover of Vogue Mexico’s September issue and currently has a place in Models.com’s 50 best models of the year.
LINA ZHANG
Although she made a splash in the modeling scene in 2011, having worked with Alexander McQueen, Helmut Lang, and Bottega Veneta, model Lina Zhang took some time off to start a family. She returned to modeling with a vengeance and appeared in Balenciaga’s Spring/Summer 2019 show and campaign. Last season, she walked in more than thirty fashion shows and has somehow cemented herself as both a seasoned vet and fresh face to watch all at the same time.
PALOMA ELSESSER
Born and raised in London, Paloma Elsesser was discovered on Instagram by none other than legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath. She brought much-needed visibility to plus-size beauty after appearing in ads for Nike, Fenty Beauty, and Proenza Schouler. On top of all that, Elsesser can add acting to an already lengthy resume, having appeared in the acclaimed Adam Sandler film Uncut Gems.
SOPHIE KOELLA
With a natural penchant for malleability, the mysteriously beautiful Sophie Koella can seemingly morph into any role. Koella got started in front of the camera, rather than on the runway (like nearly all starting models). In Vogue’s November 2016 issue, she debuted as part of a portfolio shot by famed photographer Theo Wenner. With her mesmerizing good looks and off-beat Instagram posts, Koella is just the kind of girl to manage staying power in a modeling world full of come-and-go’s.
