Most people in the fashion world know Adriana Lima and Gigi Hadid. Their unique looks and work with top brands have made them famous. While these legendary models remain icons, the industry is always looking for fresh faces. Lately, models with distinctive features and tall builds are becoming the next stars.

Let’s take a look at some of the top new models to watch this year. These rising stars stand out for their unique looks, talent, and strong presence in the fashion world.

Alay Deng

South Sudanese model from Grand Prairie, Texas, Alay Deng is turning heads. With her tall and slender stature and unique facial features, she is a beautiful and hard-working model who deserves her praise. She was discovered on TikTok in 2020 and is now managed by State Management Los Angeles, a premier agency for New York and LA models. Deng has walked for Marc Jacobs, Valentino, Hermes, Anna Sui, and Ermanno Scervino. She has also been on the covers of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Bottega Veneta.

Bastien de Bels

French model Bastien de Bels is quickly making a name for himself in the fashion world. Signed with top agencies across Paris, Brussels, and Milan, he has walked for prestigious brands including Saint Laurent, Vivienne Westwood, Rhude, Eckhaus Latta, and Armani. Known for his unique, feminine features and his ability to convey emotion in front of the camera, Bels brings a fresh and compelling presence to both advertising campaigns and editorial spreads. With his distinctive look and growing body of work, Bastien de Bels is emerging as one of fashion’s most promising new faces.

Mammina Aker

Mammina Aker is a South Sudanese fashion model represented by Select Model Management. She has appeared in campaigns for major brands like Gucci and Marc Jacobs and walked the runway for fashion houses including Valentino, Saint Laurent, and Miu Miu. Her editorial work includes features in Vogue, Elle UK, Wallpaper Magazine, and WSJ. Magazine. She’s known for her strong, elegant presence, standing at 178 cm (5′10″) with brown eyes and a poised, powerful look.

Kit Butler

Kit Butler has rapidly become one of the leading faces in modern menswear, known for his distinct mix of British elegance and striking versatility. Discovered at sixteen in an Oxford airplane hangar, he rose quickly from modest beginnings to the forefront of high fashion. His sharp features and ability to shift between classic, boyish, and avant-garde looks make him a natural fit for top designers, and his work now spans major houses like Prada, Versace, Louis Vuitton, and Burberry. What sets Butler apart is not just his appearance but also his professionalism. As described in his GQ profile, he researches brands, collaborates creatively on shoots, and brings humility to every set, earning him strong industry respect.

Xu Meen

Xu Meen is a model known for his striking, androgynous look that has made him a standout on today’s runways. Since his 2017 debut, he has walked for major designers, including Balmain, Dries Van Noten, Jil Sander, and Vetements. His unique presence has also led to campaigns for top brands like Berluti, COS, Dolce & Gabbana, H&M, Kenzo, and Moncler. A global editorial favorite, Meen has appeared in GQ Korea, Numéro France, and Vogue Italia. His distinctive features even inspired the character Jack (GR-74), the protagonist in the video game Ghostrunner. Xu Meen is considered a rising star because his look is instantly recognizable, he works consistently with influential fashion houses, and his appeal extends beyond modeling into pop culture and digital media.

Libby Taverner

Libby Taverner grew up in Gladstone, Queensland, and has quickly made her mark on the global fashion scene. She spent her childhood in different parts of Australia and built a creative background in theater at John Curtin College of the Arts, which later helped shape her modeling career. In early 2025, Taverner made her runway debut as a Prada exclusive and soon walked for top brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, McQueen, Saint Laurent, and Schiaparelli. She has also appeared in major campaigns for Fendi, McQueen, and Saint Laurent and featured in editorials for Harper’s Bazaar France and D la Repubblica. Thanks to her quick rise and strong support in the industry, Libby Taverner is now seen as one of fashion’s most promising new talents.

Malick Bodian

Malick Bodian is a Senegalese-born model and photographer who has quickly become a notable presence in the fashion industry. Born in Dakar in 1997, he moved to Europe as a teenager and was discovered as a model at 19. Since his runway debut with Valentino in 2018, Bodian has walked for prestigious houses including Givenchy, Dior Homme, and Louis Vuitton, becoming the first Black male model to walk a Givenchy Couture show in 2020.

Beyond modeling, Bodian is a talented self-taught photographer, documenting personal and cultural stories, particularly through his multi-year project Sénégal, Voyage Temporel. His dual talent and commitment to storytelling have earned him recognition on platforms like the Business of Fashion’s BoF 500. With his unique combination of artistry and runway credibility, Malick Bodian is a rising star, shaping not only the fashion world but also the way identity and heritage are represented within it.

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