Images courtesy of fashionista.com

The crop of models that made our list can flex and can do it all; they are generalists rather than specialists. What makes a model “work” today, is a distinct look and identity, and the ability to be just as good at editorial as they are on the runway and image campaigns, both video and print. This versatility leads to more of a global reach than yesterday’s perfectly pretty models who either had the personality for editorial or the hanger-like body to show off runway collections. Another important development is that this versatility has also pushed out the many fads that captivated fashion for the past five years ranging from Plus Size to Transgender to models of color. We seem to have arrived at a place where the models who thrive are those who are the most adaptable to do whatever a job requires.

There’s also a shift away from “perfection,” which began in the 1990s, when Kate Moss burst onto the scene. Kate was a new generation kind of model.  She was a good 3 inches shorter and two sizes smaller than the Barbie-esque supermodels of the time. Ten years later, Gisele Bundchen, became a fashion phenom, regardless of her “overly large” nose. These two supermodels captivated fashion and fashionistas worldwide, showing everyone that “different” is more than okay, and that the new “beautiful” allowed for “imperfection,” and that resonated with the public.

Today, the new generation of models we highlight here have successfully crossed over into all the fashion realms: runway, editorials, and image campaigns, as only a tiny select circle of Supermodels did in the nineties. As fashion publications struggle to find their new direction, successful models are a new hybrid model, like Edward Enninful’s new EE72 publication.

THE WOMEN

June R. – We immediately noticed June backstage at the Evan Hirsch show. At 5’9”, she was shorter than the 5’11” models who dominate the catwalks, but unlike many of them, she is multi-dimensional. Her measurements also make her a go-to model at Miami Fashion Week Swim. Her slim yet athletic physique makes her a top pick for both editorial and commercial work there. June’s small featured symmetrical face also makes her a shoo-in for lifestyle work for Starbucks and for beauty and jewelry brands.

Agency: Major Model

IG: @juneramadhan

Image courtesy of imdb.com and Instagram

Amanda Rouse – Sometimes, a model has everything going for her in terms of proportion, height and personality. A tweak such as the right haircut can propel a career to the next level.  So far, Amanda has booked plenty of catalogue work, making her a commercial modeling success; she even teaches a masterclass on how to succeed in this category on www.modelwaypodcast.com. However, backstage at the Albright College show Amanda told us she’s recently changed her focus to booking runway and editorial work. She kicked off her initiative by shearing her 1 ½ curly hair down to a GI Jane buzz cut. Carolyn Murphy, Linda Evangelista, Amber Valetta famously cut their hair short supermodel status followed post chop. We predict Amanda will have editorial success, due to her runway perfect proportions and infectiously positive personality. Sometimes the right tweak is all it takes.

Agency:  JL Model Management

IG: @manduhmay

Images courtesy of Glamour UK, Teen Vogue, and Hello! Magazine, respectively

Alex Consani – Alex is at first glance, a tall, bleached blonde with angular features, hardly a one-off in the world of fashion modeling. What’s not immediately apparent; however, is that she can metamorphose into an edgy alien-like creature for the camera, as actress Tilda Swinton famously does in her films.

Alex bears a striking resemblance to the Academy Award winner in the Coperni fall 2025 campaign. She is equally adept at depicting a blonde socialite at the Michael Kors spring 2026 show, as well as playing a Victoria’s Secret vixen in the October 2024 social media promo video and later in the show, as one of the six “Angels.” This newer “Angel” held her own, walking alongside Ariana Lima, one of the most famous “Angels” of all time.

Agency: IMG New York

IG: @alexconsani

Libby Bennet images courtesy of British Vogue and specialmanagement.com

Libby Bennett – Like male model Gideon Adeniyi (featured below), Libby also made model.com’s Top 50. Libby has an androgynous quality that has earned her work with fashion’s most coveted brands. She shows her masculine side in an ad campaign for Alexander McQueen and COS, and editorial work for Bazaar Italia, and Bazaar France. Her versatility has made her a favorite with photographer legends, Steven Meisel, and Paolo Roversi. While she looks feminine in her work for Chanel, Versace, and Hermes, her most notable transformation was as David Bowie for the Louis Vuitton show.

Agency: HEROES New York, www.heroesmodels.com

IG: @libbyybennett

Images courtesy of Getty Images and DNA Models

Devyn Garcia – is known for speaking out about her multi-cultural identity, (Cuban, Spanish, Black, Native American) and her advocacy for plus-size models. Regarding that category, Devyn is the perfect representation of how plus-size has adapted since the trend for plus-size models several years ago. At 5’9”, her measurements, bust 37, waist 28 ½, hips 45 ½, are much more in line with the industry standard, except for her hip size. At age 24, she is a great example of a model who can look any which way, from a fresh-faced woman on the beaches of Miami to a lady who lunches at a Michael Kors show, to a Victoria’s Secret beauty.

Agency: DNA Models

IG: @devynfaithgarcia

THE MEN

The early 2000s witnessed a big shift in the male model aesthetic. The Versace “buff boy” was pushed aside by painfully thin boys who had an edgy androgynous quality that fashion couldn’t seem to get enough of. Today’s male model takes the best of both looks, resulting in a man who is a standard bearer of global beauty.

Images courtesy of Fusion Models

Charlie Nolte – has the face and lush hair of a Versace boy from Richard Avedon’s legendary nineties campaigns, but his sinewy body resembles that of a yoga instructor’s. This combination made him a hot commodity at NYFW when he was double-booked to open the Cynthia Rowley show, and to be at a Lacoste fitting. He’s a regular on the Louis Vuitton runways as well. Charlie’s editorial includes GQ Brasil, Flaunt, and Bazaar Thailand.

Agency: Storm Management LA.

IG: @charlienolte

Image courtesy of Next Management

Ryu Aguilar – this 6’1” Tokyo born model looks edgy and street wise in a leather vest that shows off his tattoos and blue hair in an Another Man editorial. On the flip side, Ryu is also equally believable playing a private school boy in a blue pinstripe and loafer outfit in the 2025 Public Policy show. His wide range makes him a contender for global image campaigns.

Agency: NEXT New York

IG: @ryuluvzgod

Images courtesy of GQ and Metropolitan Models

Bai – is a 6’2 ½” Chinese surfing instructor who burst into the modeling world when Miuccia Prada and Raf Simmons chose him to walk in their fall 2024 show. He continued his work with Prada when he posed for the fall 2025 image campaign. Bai channeled a different part of his personality to transform into an urban hipster sauntering down the runway in a mesh shirt and slicked back hair at the Off-White spring 2026 show.

Agency: DNA Models

IG: ruien.bai

Images courtesy of MODLEWERK

Gideon Adeniyi – The Nigerian born phenom made models.com’s coveted Top 50 list for his work on a high-profile campaign for Prada fall 2025 Eyewear and for Zara. He’s a favorite with directional brands, Off-White and Shanghai based Ziggy Chen, to represent them on the runway. We suspect Gideon is just getting started.

Agency: 90s Management

IG: gideonadeniyi_

Vivian Kelly