Are you wanting to break into modelling? You can’t find a better role Model than Gigi Hadid. She’s one of the hottest names in the industry right now. Proving just how much of a star she is, gorgeous Gigi Hadid recently bagged the ‘International Model of the Year Award’ at the 2016 Fashion Awards.

Rising start

Gigi Hadid’s modelling success story began at the tender age of two, when she was discovered by Paul Marciano, the Founder of US kids clothing brand Guess. Gigi started by modelling pieces for the Baby Guess line, before going on to work with the brand through her teenage years.

After taking a break from modelling to focus on her school work, Gigi went back into the game. While studying in New York, the now-iconic runway-walker was scouted by IMG Models. After this she was photographed by Bruce Weber, who took home the ‘Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creators’ at the 2016 Fashion Awards, for the legendary Carine Roitfeld Fashion Book magazine, getting her big break.

International model

Once Gigi’s career started gaining traction, she soon became a household name. She has worked with brands like Versace and talented designers such as Mario Sorento, as well as fronted the covers of top fashion publications like Vogue. Gigi has also received global press attention over her love life, as she is currently dating former One Direction star Zayn Malik, who is now becoming a male model himself.

With such a global profile, it was no surprise that Gigi was nominated for the ‘International Model of the Year Award’ at the 2016 Fashion Awards. However she faced stiff competition in the form of models such as Kendall Jenner, who has a similar global profile and home-grown British talent Adwoa Aboah. But Gigi, who was easily one of the 2016 Fashion Awards’ best dressed stars, with her custom silver Atelier Versace jumpsuit, blew the competition out of the water, to take home the prize.

Prize winners

By becoming an award winner, Gigi joins a prestigious group. In the other global categories, she was joined by some of the industry’s best. Jaden and Willow Smith clinched the ‘New Fashion Icons Award.’ Meanwhile, Demna Gvasalia (Balenciaga) and Alessandro Michele (Gucci) won the ‘International Ready-to-Wear Design Award’ and the ‘International Accessories Design Award’ respectively.

As this event is organised by UK industry body the British Fashion Council, the 2016 Fashion Awards celebrated home grown talent too. The iconic Alexander McQueen nabbed the ‘British Brand Award,’ while Franca Sozzani and Craig Green triumphed in the women’s and men’s design categories. We also have to give a shout out to London designer Molly Goddard, who earned the ‘Emerging Talent Award.’

Star power

So by winning the ‘International Model of the Year Award’ and being lauded alongside the likes of Alexander McQueen and Alessandro Michele, Gigi Hadid proved that she has major star power. You never know, if you break into the industry, you could reach similar heights of success one day!