Top 10 Female Models Taking Over 2026

Today we're counting down the top 10 female models of 2026. These are some of the models that are crushing the runway, landing some of the biggest campaigns, and also reshaping the fashion industry. Coming in at number 10 is Akol Ayor. Akol is a South Sudanese model signed to her Ugandan mother agency, Joram Model Management. She has consistently walked numerous shows each season and has secured major fashion campaigns, including the Versace Jeans Couture Fall Winter 2025 campaign shot by Joray Janssens. In April 2026, she graced the cover of Puss Puss magazine issue 23 Spring Summer 2026. During the Fall Winter 2026 season, she walked 20 shows and closed two of them, further solidifying her presence as a rising force in the industry. At number 9 is American model Lulu Tenney. Lulu is represented by four agencies across the major fashion capitals. She is among the models who consistently walk a high number of shows each season. During the Fall Winter 2026 season, she walked 24 shows across New York, Milan, and Paris. In April 2026, she appeared in the Dolce & Gabbana Eyewear Spring Summer 2026 campaign shot by Kareem Sadli and also walked the Emilio Pucci Spring 2026 show in Syracusa. Lulu Tenney is a prominent figure in the industry, consistently ranked by Models.com as one of the top 50 models. Since her debut, she has established herself as a high fashion mainstay, widely recognized for her unique ethereal look and strong blue chip appeal. At number 8 is British model Jackie Hooper. Jackie has rapidly ascended the ranks of the fashion industry. According to Models.com, she is currently recognized as one of the top 50 models in the world, a status reserved for those who have moved beyond newcomer level to become consistent fixtures in major global campaigns and high fashion editorials. Her portfolio includes prestigious advertising work for leading brands. She is also a key face of the Phoebe Philo collection, photographed by Alastair McClellan. In April 2026, she graced the cover of Vogue Korea and she appeared in a major feature for Vogue US March 2026, lensed by Anthony Siclaoui. At number 7 is a Chinese model Heijia Li. Since her debut in the Spring Summer 2024 collections, Wenzhou-born Chinese model Heijia Li has rapidly become a prominent figure in the fashion industry. Her breakout led to walking for major shows, including Proenza Scholar, Kite, Michael Kors, Fendi, Gucci, Versace, Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Louis Vuitton and Chanel. Quickly earning a spot on the hot list and then rising to top 50, Heijia's captivating presence has secured her prestigious campaigns for Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, Jacquemus and Tom Ford, with additional work for Versace, Chloé, Capernaum and Saint Laurent. Heijia's striking beauty has graced the covers of Vogue China, Pop Magazine and FTHTSI, while her editorial work has appeared in Self Service, Acne Papers, American Vogue, Document Journal, T Magazine and W Magazine China. By 2025, Heijia had worked with some of the industry's most influential creatives, including David Sims, Marie-Amélie Sauvé, Craig McDean, Tim Alkaim, Louis Alberto Rodríguez, Robin Galliègue, Marie Shai and Sean Nseng. Her impressive trajectory and collaborations have solidified her place as one of the leading new Chinese faces in fashion today. At number six is Luisa Perotti. Luisa is a Brazilian model born in the state of Amazonas, a region covered almost entirely by the Amazon rainforest. She made her runway debut at the Marc Jacobs Spring Summer 2024 show. Growing up, she never imagined herself as a model or believed she could break onto the global stage. Bullied as a child, she didn't see modeling as an option until a visit to a mall in a nearby city changed everything. There, she was scouted, entered a contest and won, an experience that gave her the confidence to pursue what once felt impossible. In her first season, Perotti walked over 30 shows, including opening the Fendi Fall Winter 2024 show. This breakthrough led to her appearance in a campaign for the brand, photographed by Steven Meisel. From being named a top newcomer in Fall 2024, Perotti has since risen to the Models.com Top 50 list and was featured in the platform's prestigious The Graduate series, which has previously highlighted stars like Bella Hadid, Hoyeon and Vittoria Soretti. Alright, let's get to the fifth model, Betsy Gagin. Betsy Gagin is an American model born in Los Angeles, California, who began garnering attention in the fashion world during her late teens. Gagin first caught the industry's eye during the pandemic with a buzzed-about Miu Miu Fall 2021 debut in Cortina, but just as momentum began to build, she stepped back. The break, she says, was necessary, a pause to reground, reflect and return to the industry on her own terms. She came back stronger than ever, opening Veronica Leone's Calvin Klein debut in New York and walking more than 30 shows across fashion's major capitals. Her runway credits span some of the most prestigious houses in the world, including Chanel, Hermes, Alexander McQueen, Chloe, Celine and Victoria Beckham. At number four is Victoria Fawoli. A Lagos-born has quickly risen to become one of the most in-demand models of the past six seasons since her debut. She was scouted on Facebook by her mother agency, Anani Models. Initially skeptical and clueless about fashion, it was her older brother who talked her into signing. As she put it, I just signed with no knowledge about the industry while I had little to no expectations. A constant on the runway, she continues to walk for houses including Louis Vuitton, Schiaparelli, Gucci, Max Mara and Giacchiemus. Reflecting on her growth, Fawoli has said, Over time, my career as a fashion model has evolved in several ways. I've gained a better understanding of the fashion industry's dynamics, including trends, designers, and how to relate with people day in and day out. Her family remains her primary motivation. Even when they didn't like the idea of modeling, because I have so much love and passion for it, they have been my number one fans. At number three is an American model, Alex Consani. Alex's modeling career began in early 2015 after her mother found an advertisement on Facebook for Slay Model Management, a Los Angeles-based modeling agency made up entirely of transgender models. She later relocated to New York City to attend university and pursue her career with greater intensity, signing with IMG Models in 2019. The sudden surge of the 2020 pandemic put a temporary pause on debut plans, and Consani turned to a then burgeoning new platform, TikTok, to bring her wicked sense of humor to life. She has amassed an immense following with almost 3 million followers, using her comedic timing, charisma, and striking presence to captivate audiences. Consani doesn't shy away from opening up the conversation beyond herself, understanding the power of using her platform to uplift others. Alex stands at 5 feet 11 inches with blonde hair and blue eyes. In second position is Canadian South Sudanese model, whose commanding presence across runway, campaign, and editorial platforms has positioned her as one of the most versatile and globally recognized faces in contemporary fashion. When Awar Odeon closed Chanel under Mathieu Blaise's debut, she met the moment with an ease that felt both instinctive and disarming. She broke formation, clapping as she took a joyous lap and embracing Blaise as he took his bow on black lacquered floors beneath a starlit set. She moved with a sense of freedom that felt entirely her own. The rare human moment instantly went viral. Vogue Italia subsequently deemed her the top model of the moment in February 2026. In February 2024 alone, Odeon walked 34 shows, including Balenciaga, Chanel, Fendi, Gucci, Hermès, Isabel Marant, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Versace. In 2025, she walked dozens of major shows, including Couture and ready-to-wear collections for Hermès, Schiaparelli, Jill Sander, and Max Mara, with a standout appearance in Prada's Autumn-Winter 2025 campaign and runway. Finally, at number one is Anak Yai. Anak was born in Egypt but raised in New Hampshire. She attended Howard University, where she was discovered by taking a viral photo which was posted on Instagram. And from that moment, her career pretty much changed. Right today, she is the reigning model of the year and the most dominant face in the industry. Outside of modeling, Anak enjoys fitness, public speaking, activism, and self-development. She's known for negotiating her own creative direction, which I see a lot of models adapting these days. She's represented by Next Model Management, and she's not just a model, she's more of a movement and a cultural icon. So, that's it for the list. If you guys like this video, hit a thumbs up. I would appreciate it. Stay tuned for the top 10 male models of 2026, which should be dropping on in the next few days. Love you guys, bye-bye.