The Models.com Model of the Year (MOTY) Industry Awards are the voice of over 250 voters representing a wide range of the industry’s top professionals, including many of the industry’s top stylists, designers, photographers, editors, hair and makeup artists and casting directors, and a wide range of the next generation of the industry’s emerging creative talents. Participants include Katie Grand, Bethann Hardison, Edward Enninful, John Pfeiffer, Barbara Pfister, Benjamin Puckey, Hung Vanngo, Julie Ragolia, Angus & Noah, Duffy, Tom Van Dorpe and many more!
Fashion’s biggest fans also got in on the fun: the Readers’ Choice section offers an up-to-date and often surprising selection chosen by you, the MDC readers. The people have spoken – thousands of them in fact and their choices are every bit as exciting as those provided by insiders.
The awards are broken down in 10 categories as follows:
The singular face that defined the year as a whole with ubiquitous industry demand and presence. They distinguished themselves via top tier bookings with the best photographers, stylists and clients earning next-level visibility, making them 2016’s foremost star.
The singular face that defined the year as a whole with ubiquitous industry demand and presence. They distinguished themselves via top tier bookings with the best photographers, stylists and clients earning next-level visibility, making them 2016’s foremost star.
Like model of the year, the breakout star has had a substantial presence on the modeling scene, only their careers have just begun to take off in the past several seasons. As a newcomer to the fashion industry, these rising stars have racked up coveted campaigns and impressive editorial work in a short period of time and are set to leave a lasting mark on the industry.
Like model of the year, the breakout star has had a substantial presence on the modeling scene, only their careers have just begun to take off in the past several seasons. As a newcomer to the fashion industry, these rising stars have racked up coveted campaigns and impressive editorial work in a short period of time and are set to leave a lasting mark on the industry.
If the past year has taught us anything it is that every tweet, Instagram photo, and like adds up to a powerful presence within the world of fashion. These models have leveraged their followings into key bookings and heightened influence, inciting a media frenzy with each and every post.
If the past year has taught us anything it is that every tweet, Instagram photo, and like adds up to a powerful presence within the world of fashion. These models have leveraged their followings into key bookings and heightened influence, inciting a media frenzy with each and every post.
Nothing is more important than giving back to the community and during the past year these models have inspired us all by putting charity first. Devoting their time, energy and celebrity to causes big and small, these women raise awareness and bring hope to those who need it most.
Model and activist Adwoa Aboah founded Gurls Talk, an online platform that focuses on women’s issues and provides a safe community of discourse aiming to empower girls. The foundation has plans to become a full-fledged charity.
Alek Wek campaigns as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador for human rights with a focus on refugees, women and children, as a former Sudanese refugee herself. She is the ambassador for the H&M Conscious Foundation and also raises awareness about HIV/AIDS.
Cameron uses her platform through social media to stay outspoken on a range of social issues and campaigns for community activism. Previously, she organized a a march with People’s Pilgrimage and went to the UN’s COP21 climate change convention to oversee the unprecedented negotiations.
Founded the maternal health organization Every Mother Counts in 2010 and has directed and produced a documentary “No Woman, No Cry” to raise awareness to the challenges faced in maternal health worldwide. She continues greatly to advocate for those causes associated.
This year Doutzen worked in collaboration with the Elephant Crisis Fund to create the #KnotOnMyPlanet social media campaign (featuring herself and other supermodels) that called attention to the poaching of elephants and promoted preservation efforts.
Since she started modeling, Herieth Paul has donated a percentage of her income to help children at her mother’s orphanage back in her native Tanzania. She hopes to one day move back and start a special education school for children with disabilities.
Karlie Kloss created charity initiatives Karlie’s Kookies, which provides meals with sale proceeds to those in need around the world and Kode with Karlie, which helps create coding education programs in high schools and scholarships for female teens.
As founder of the Liya Kebede Foundation, Liya works to advance safe motherhood and pregnancy throughout Africa. Her clothing line LemLem also supports traditional weavers in her native Ethiopia in an effort to preserve their rich history.
Naomi Campbell has supported numerous amounts of charities fighting breast cancer, poverty, and AIDS throughout the world including helping raise money for UNAIDS, Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, and Feed The Children.
Natalia’s Naked Heart Foundation builds playgrounds for disadvantaged youths throughout Russia and she has most recently released Elbi, a micro-philanthropy app in partnership with 31 charities. Natalia is also involved in several other foundations including Hear the World and the Tiger Trade Campaign to stop trade in tiger parts and products.
Sara’s tireless work at The Model Alliance, especially for child models; giving models a voice and a safe haven, along with campaigning against labor abuses in the modeling industry deserves acknowledgement.
Toni’s work with Plan International has garnered financial support for girls through the world in an improvised, uneducated state through various fundraising events.
Best Street Style
The sidewalk is the new catwalk and these models bring fashion to the streets with outlandish and eye-catching looks that have made them the girls to watch for off-duty style. Some have taken their street style prowess one step further, broadening their horizons by acting as stylist on editorial shoots.
Celebrities have become an unavoidable presence in luxury advertising, but certain stars are every bit as captivating as the models. Putting their posing skills to good use (often honed during their career beginnings as models) and bringing with them an air of Hollywood glamour, these are the celebrities who play the role of model with ease.
Celebrities have become an unavoidable presence in luxury advertising, but certain stars are every bit as captivating as the models. Putting their posing skills to good use (often honed during their career beginnings as models) and bringing with them an air of Hollywood glamour, these are the celebrities who play the role of model with ease.
I have no idea why they’d vote Gigi the best social media star year after year. Besides the fact that she flaunts her famous boyfriend on it, it’s very basic.
Dear Models,
ZAYN should have been nominated on looks alone, his cheekbones could cut anybody. The outfits and street style he has been rocking this year as a breakout star need to be acknowledged. The world sleeps on (minorities) including Middle Easterns & Asian men + artists, creators and actors. He is not only a spokesperson for that but he stands up for MALE mental health issues, an issue that has been hush hush. Please give him recognition in the future.
bella deserved model of the year, she was everywhere to couture shows, too ready to wear sporty american brand’s, bella the top model and gigi the brand/celebrity
I don’t agree with the industry’s vote this year, and even more after I read who’re the ones who voted, you should get more people from the industry to vote, these names are not enough and it doesn’t really reflect the industry’s choice
Same here, the glorious days of Real models are gone. Before, only designers photographers, fashion editors can declare who’s ‘it’ and who’s not. Now, instagram is the new voice.
The only category Gigi, Kendall and Bella Belong is the celerity as model, they havent work as much or havent so much campaigns as a lot of real models, that have been working so hard since 15, 16 to actually see success now. Unfortunately even Chanel booked like 8 celebrities for the pre-fall collection show. Disappointing the magic of this industry also relied on the exclusivity of the brands.
Pietro Boselli truly deserved to win the Men’s Social Media Star Award. I’m just so proud that he was nominated, better luck next year. He’ll come back stronger and win Male Model of the year!!
I would’ve seen Tatjana as a legend with the others but thank you nevertheless for finally accepting her as an icon at least. Now I’m just waiting for Yasmins turn 😉
Why is the world so obsessed with the Kardashian-type personalities so much? Those Kendalls and Gigis would be nothing if they didn’t have famous name or from a famous family.
Zayn should have been nominated in the Celebrity as a model category. His magazine covers have been amazing this year (+ he’s the new face of Versus Versace).
Shame that the majority of the models these days of famous parents. Goes to show that it’s not what you know but who you know. How do the hard-working models without famous parents make it big?
I have got on street style that is the best I have seen! Taupe undertone, house shoes, handy bag with over-size change bag, secuins on bodice in black dress with 2 sashes and roll up purple cap , long blond hair, purple secuin jacket, Normandy Streets WWII Karen Hall Designs 2017
Of course, Kendall “Dead Face” Jenner was the Reader’s Winner. How could I have possibly expected the people of this moment to look beyond what they are told to look at and love and judge for themselves! What a Travesty!
I have reviewed the legends and industry icons lists and I want to question that why Heidi Klum and Tyra Banks are in the legend list instead of Carmen Kass, Angela Lindvall, Frankie Rayder, Maggie Rizer, Karolina Kurkova, and Helena Christensen who are just in the industry icons list.
So sad to see as model of the year Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner, yeah they are beautiful but lets be honest they arent models, they are JUST famous because of their families, gossips, money and because they are from this social circle that involves taylor swift one direction justin beiber….all the cancer nowadays, anyways, maybe I just hate or Im tired of watching everywhere the kardashians, well, kendall jenner, the both hadids, emily ratajkowski, and a lil bit Cara.FOR ME THEY ARENT MODELS, they are just playing being something because they already have the money now the fame, So, all the people that follow them are just pending of their lives, who they are dating, what are they using blah blah blah….yeah maybe they are not the problem but Im tired of people givig them such importance……IM TIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!
tired as well of watching them everywhere, you can have money or don’t and you can be model but they aren’t, they are just famous so people that follow their lives as religion voted for them in everything, and let me tell you, they are majority of the world…sad but true
what a shame that very hardworking models are being left out in favour of those like Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Hailey Baldwin and etc. they are media’s favourite for now, but they will disappear in a few years once other models start filling in, which goes to show that that they were insignificant enough to be forgotten
Stephen james
Harry Styles for male celebrity model
Model of the year : kendall jenner
LMAO GIRL TF
I have no idea why they’d vote Gigi the best social media star year after year. Besides the fact that she flaunts her famous boyfriend on it, it’s very basic.
Dear Models,
ZAYN should have been nominated on looks alone, his cheekbones could cut anybody. The outfits and street style he has been rocking this year as a breakout star need to be acknowledged. The world sleeps on (minorities) including Middle Easterns & Asian men + artists, creators and actors. He is not only a spokesperson for that but he stands up for MALE mental health issues, an issue that has been hush hush. Please give him recognition in the future.
from a fan of the culture, music and art
bella deserved model of the year, she was everywhere to couture shows, too ready to wear sporty american brand’s, bella the top model and gigi the brand/celebrity
Kendall slays everything!
I don’t agree with the industry’s vote this year, and even more after I read who’re the ones who voted, you should get more people from the industry to vote, these names are not enough and it doesn’t really reflect the industry’s choice
I think you didn’t read the part
“…over 250 voters representing a wide range of the industry’s top professionals…”
It’s right on the first paragraph
always disappointed ….
Same here, the glorious days of Real models are gone. Before, only designers photographers, fashion editors can declare who’s ‘it’ and who’s not. Now, instagram is the new voice.
Very true!!
Harry styles best celebrity model (menos)
Men**
I’m not happy. Matthew Noszka should have won. Hands down. If you don’t know who that is write his name on instagram and show some love to my baby.
The only category Gigi, Kendall and Bella Belong is the celerity as model, they havent work as much or havent so much campaigns as a lot of real models, that have been working so hard since 15, 16 to actually see success now. Unfortunately even Chanel booked like 8 celebrities for the pre-fall collection show. Disappointing the magic of this industry also relied on the exclusivity of the brands.
I too was very disappointed at most of the choices.
Why wasn’t Harry Styles nominated for Celebrity as model? That shoot was so successful, I really don’t understand your choices
Strongly disagree, model of the year award belongs to GIGI alone!!!!
2016 is totally Bella’s. And yes, zayn is totally rock everything but he never even notice.
Pietro Boselli truly deserved to win the Men’s Social Media Star Award. I’m just so proud that he was nominated, better luck next year. He’ll come back stronger and win Male Model of the year!!
Harry Styles for Celebrity as Model: Men
I would’ve seen Tatjana as a legend with the others but thank you nevertheless for finally accepting her as an icon at least. Now I’m just waiting for Yasmins turn 😉
Why is the world so obsessed with the Kardashian-type personalities so much? Those Kendalls and Gigis would be nothing if they didn’t have famous name or from a famous family.
I think kendall should win for socila media star as will and model of the year and celebrity model too
What a joke.
totally agree.. what a joke
SNSDsone0805
VITTO
What ever happened to Max Barczak, Sven de Vries, Laurie Harding, Pierro Mendez, Rhys Pickering? Does the inustry just drop people that quickly?
Kendall Jenner should be TMOY
Kendall Jenner has the BEST TMOY look overall.
Zayn should have been nominated in the Celebrity as a model category. His magazine covers have been amazing this year (+ he’s the new face of Versus Versace).
Cool, i love the results
Shame that the majority of the models these days of famous parents. Goes to show that it’s not what you know but who you know. How do the hard-working models without famous parents make it big?
Where is Wen Liu?
how can I) vote for the Social Media Star Nominees?
ikr
Ming Xi!!my idol!
目测在座的大半是中国人哈哈哈
刘雯
Models.com me hace reir tanto jajajajajajajajaja
In most categories industry choice sucks…. Readers choice is best. Chico won… nothing else matters.
Francisco Lachowski❤❤❤
I have got on street style that is the best I have seen! Taupe undertone, house shoes, handy bag with over-size change bag, secuins on bodice in black dress with 2 sashes and roll up purple cap , long blond hair, purple secuin jacket, Normandy Streets WWII Karen Hall Designs 2017
I think Carmen Kass should be getting into the Legend List.
Of course, Kendall “Dead Face” Jenner was the Reader’s Winner. How could I have possibly expected the people of this moment to look beyond what they are told to look at and love and judge for themselves! What a Travesty!
I have reviewed the legends and industry icons lists and I want to question that why Heidi Klum and Tyra Banks are in the legend list instead of Carmen Kass, Angela Lindvall, Frankie Rayder, Maggie Rizer, Karolina Kurkova, and Helena Christensen who are just in the industry icons list.
So sad to see as model of the year Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner, yeah they are beautiful but lets be honest they arent models, they are JUST famous because of their families, gossips, money and because they are from this social circle that involves taylor swift one direction justin beiber….all the cancer nowadays, anyways, maybe I just hate or Im tired of watching everywhere the kardashians, well, kendall jenner, the both hadids, emily ratajkowski, and a lil bit Cara.FOR ME THEY ARENT MODELS, they are just playing being something because they already have the money now the fame, So, all the people that follow them are just pending of their lives, who they are dating, what are they using blah blah blah….yeah maybe they are not the problem but Im tired of people givig them such importance……IM TIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!
tired as well of watching them everywhere, you can have money or don’t and you can be model but they aren’t, they are just famous so people that follow their lives as religion voted for them in everything, and let me tell you, they are majority of the world…sad but true
Agree, I dont bother looking inside the magazines when they are on the covers … 🙁 too much!
With very few exception lousy selection. I miss those days with cool models. Sick of the instamodels.
Focus on the good people. It’s good for you! Jordan Barrett was here and that shows that some brains
were used when making this silly list.
what a shame that very hardworking models are being left out in favour of those like Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Hailey Baldwin and etc. they are media’s favourite for now, but they will disappear in a few years once other models start filling in, which goes to show that that they were insignificant enough to be forgotten
New supers should be new fakers cause that list includes racist gigi and bella
models.com is not the same website I saw years ago