By Rebecca Ceccatelli. Cover image by Armando Aureliano Sauzullo.
Once upon a time, top models were confined to catwalks. Now, the leading faces of runways aren’t just strutting their stuff anymore. From catwalk queens to style icons, these trailblazing women are proving that they’re no longer just a canvas; they are skilled creators as well. Time is now: why and how Top models become entrepreneurs.
What if all those famous brand ambassadors decided to launch their own businesses and become successful businesswomen? This is a story of empowerment, but it is also the realisation of a vision that has turned into a tangible project, redefining the concept of being a model in the 21st century.
Scroll through the achievements of our new-brand entrepreneurs. Who will be the next?
Top Models Turned Entrepreneurs, Naomi Campbell. From the catwalk to the museum
You won’t believe who will be featured in the next exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Following the current retrospective on Gabrielle Chanel: Fashion Manifesto, the new exhibit, which will run from June 2024 to April 2025, will shift the focus from the designer to the top model: Naomi Campbell and her story. It’s called Naomi and promises to be a great event.
Forty years from the day the young woman caught the eye of her first fashion agent in Covent Garden – the museum will soon display pieces from Campbell’s personal wardrobe alongside archival looks from her runway career, loaned by designers. Additionally, a significant installation of important fashion photographs will capture the “special alchemy she has with photographers, which translates into magic on the page”, as explained by Edward Enninful, editor-in-chief of British Vogue.
This comprehensive overview will bridge the past and the present, and for the first time, a top model will be at the centre of an exhibition at the V&, with Naomi herself having worked closely with the institution. What a noteworthy record!
Top model turned in an entrepreneur with an editorial takeover: Karlie Kloss, now CEO of i-D Magazine
Investor, entrepreneur, top model, and mother of two, Kloss has also been appointed as the CEO of i-D magazine, the same that featured her on its cover as a teenager, with a completely iconic attitude.
However, this is not her first venture into the editorial field. Not only featured in many issues of magazines of all types, Karlie Kloss previously acquired W magazine as part of a group of investors. Now, despite still being a model, she has taken on the role of CEO at i-D magazine alongside Kevin Johan Wong from Hypebeast, who will be the new chief operating officer.
Can you imagine how it would feel to greet your old self posing as a top model, now in the position of CEO of the same magazine? It’s like writing a letter to your future self.
Top Models Turned Entrepreneurs: the first beauty and wellness brand by Bella Hadid, Orebella
After a challenging year due to numerous health issues, everything is now set for the launch of Bella Hadid’s new, secret brand – Orebella – on May 2, 2024.
Although the announcement is just a seconds-long reel on Instagram with a simple brand slogan and release date, we have some spoilers for you about what the products of model of the year for 2022 might be. We know for sure that Orebella by Bella Hadid is a registered brand in the beauty and wellness realm, which includes scented lotions, essential oils for the body and environment, new-scent candles, and mindfulness experiences. Perhaps Bella will narrate the Middle East tradition to which she is connected through her Palestinian origins. Alternatively, the project may be influenced by the year-long pause that forced her to step back from the world of fashion in a parallel struggle with mental health. Stay tuned to discover more!
Tropic of C, the swimwear line by Candice Swanepoel is the proof of a Top Model turned in an entrepreneur
“Influenced by nature. Inspired by the female form. An eco-lifestyle brand born from a life spent at the beach.” This is how Tropic of C describes itself on its website, alluding to a primal presence of nature and the female form. Candice Swanepoel, a South African top model who has been one of the most famous ambassadors for Victoria’s Secret, established her swimwear brand in 2022 with a focus on sustainability and eco-friendliness. The brand is committed to crafting swimwear products that are respectful to the planet and created with love, recycling materials consistently to help reduce its environmental impact. The main products sold by Tropic of C are bikinis and beachwear made from recycled fabrics, which give the swimsuits an 80s flair with vibrant colours and trendy patterns.
Tropic of C aims to evoke a tropical vibe, from the Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn, offering a summer that never ends.
Top model turned in a fashion entrepreneur: Helsa Studio by Elsa Hosk
Helsa Studio is everything Nordic-style enthusiasts could desire. The brand’s elegant garments are a fusion of bold Los Angeles vibes and Scandinavian atmospheres, incorporating both formal suits and bare-backed designs for minimal-cool everyday wear that reflects the founder’s influences.
Swedish top model, Instagram queen and fashion influencer Elsa Hosk not only brought her vision to life through her brand but also applied her distinct influencer touch to the brand’s Instagram page. The page features fashion photographs of the collections, as well as evocative design shots that allow users to imagine the perfect context for each garment. This clever approach is a testament to Elsa’s authenticity as a true influencer, and it’s safe to say that we have all been influenced by her style.
