Who doesn’t want to know the ongoings in the lives of the rich and famous? Okay, maybe not everyone but I for one, am very nosy. And when it comes to their bank balance somehow we’re even more interested!
Forbes came out with a list of the highest paid models of 2017. This list has included models who don’t necessarily fit into what’s considered “perfect”! We are applauding this change in an industry which otherwise sets very stringent and stereotypical norms.
1. Kendall Jenner
Kendall Jenner has dethroned the reigning queen of the modeling industry, Gisele Bundchen since 2002. Kendall makes a mammoth $22 million a year. Her Instagram has 85 million followers and advertisers live for that. Along with deals with Estée Lauder, La Perla and Adidas, Kendall + Kylie clothing line, she also has her family reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
2. Gisele Bündchen
Gisele Bündchen had a quieter year and dipped from $30.5 million in 2016 to $17.5 million this year. She campaigned for Carolina Herrera fragrance and Arezzo shoes and Vivara jewelry and has bagged the second place.
3. Chrissy Teigen
A first-timer on the list, Chrissy Teigen bags the third spot with a whopping $13.5 million. She was a former Sports Illustrated cover girl, she makes her money through deals beyond fashion. The foodie has partnered with beverage brands such as Vita Coco and Smirnoff.
4. Adriana Lima
Adriana Lima has been a Victoria’s Secret angel since 1999 being their longest-running model and named “the most valuable Victoria’s Secret Angel” in 2017. She has made a total of $10.5 million over the last year.
5. Gigi Hadid
Gigi Hadid and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley have tied at second place with an annual earning of $10.5 million. Gigi has been a Victoria’s Secret angel, has worked with Tommy Hilfiger, Fendi and Moschino among other top brand campaigns.
6. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Gigi Hadid have tied at second place with an annual earning of $10.5 million. Former Victoria’s Secret Angel and has worked with top brands like Givenchy, Burberry Oscar De La Renta, Vera Wang, Michael Kors.
7. Karlie Kloss
Former Victoria’s Secret angel, Karlie has worked with the who’s who of the industry like Nina Ricca, Rebecca Taylor, Jean Paul Gaultier, Donna Karan, Yves Saint Laurent and Dolce & Gabbana among others. Earlier this year she even announced her TV show, Movie Night with Karlie Kloss. She has bagged the seventh place with $9 million.
8. Liu Wen
The Chinese fashion model based in New York is the first model of East Asain descent to walk for Victoria’s Secret. She is also the first Asain model to ever make it to the Forbes annual highest-paid models list. She has made an annual of $6.5 million.
9. Bella Hadid
https://www.instagram.com/p/BawKr8sHf_2/?hl=en&taken-by=bellahadid
Inspired by her sister, Bella bagged the ninth spot on the list making an annual of $6 million. She joins the top-earning people thanks to a busy year posing for more than a dozen brands including Dior makeup, Nike, and Nars cosmetics.
10. Ashley Graham
Thanks to social media names which were sidelined in the fashion world are being heard now. Ashley is the first curvy model to make Forbes highest-paid list. She has her own lines for Addition Elle, Dressbarn and Swimsuits For All, plus campaigns for Lane Bryant and H&M, among others. She made $5.5 million this year.
The fashion industry is changing, albeit slowly but we are proud that curvy models and models of different ethnicity are getting the recognition they deserve.