Zayn Malik, who is lighting up the music charts as a solo artist right now, has been given reason to celebrate. LUXE Models can reveal that Zayn has been named one of fashion’s most influential people.

Rising style icon

Every year Business of Fashion, which has become an essential industry resource, puts together an index of the 500 most influential people in fashion. This year’s rankings are really diverse, including people from 57 nations and 113 new entrants, showing just how quickly the industry is changing.

One new entrant was former One Direction member Zayn Malik, who joined model girlfriend Gigi Hadid on the list. Zayn has become a fixture on the front row of fashion shows over the last few years and with his smooth, forward thinking sense of style, he is fast becoming a male fashion icon. Along with other stars such as Kristen Stewart, Zayn appeared on Elle’s September cover, to great acclaim.

Influential people

Aside from Zayn, everyone from models and designers to executives and celebrities appeared on the list. A range of home grown stars such as Victorian and David Beckham, Anna Wintour and Alexa Chung made the rankings. An impressive 86 entrants on this year’s list were from the UK, with home grown models like Ruth Bell and designers like Charles Jeffrey appearing for the first time.

Aside from Gigi, a number of Americans also made the cut. Among those Americans named by Business of Fashion as some of the most influential in the industry, there were a number of new faces. Believe it or not, this is the first time Beyoncé qualified. Others included on the list model Bella Hadid and Snapchat Co-Founder Evan Spiegel, showing the rising influence of technology in fashion.

Business of Fashion also revealed 28 new entrants to its Hall of Fame, recognising their contribution to the evolution of fashion over their careers. Those added included Kate Moss, the woman who single-handedly popularised ‘heroin-chic’ in the mid-90s, Naomi Campbell, who was one of the world’s first supermodels and Grace Coddington, the former Creative Director of American Vogue.

Breaking into modelling

So with this list, we see that Zayn Malik is gradually becoming as influential in fashion, as really famous models like the Hadid sisters. Like other top male models such as Davis Gandy and Tyson Beckford, Zayn has smouldering good looks and a real presence, ensuring he shines on the runway or when gracing a front cover. Zayn is a good role model if you’re looking to break into male modelling!