The Graduates
Sherry Shi
Since 2013, Models.com’s The Graduates series has been a visual check-in with the models of the moment who have risen through the ranks of the Hot List to the top working models in the world. Cementing themselves in editorials, advertisements, lookbooks, and on the runway, these global muses have consistently locked down luxury clients. Shot in New York before fashion week by photographer Myles Loftin, this year’s list stands as a testament to the fashion industry’s tenacity and forward expansion.
Visit her Models.com page and click or tap the Lists button to favorite Sherry and keep track of her work.
Photography by Myles Loftin for Models.com
Styling – Roberto Johnson
Hair – Ro Morgan
Makeup – Tyron Machhausen
Nails – Jazz Style
Model – Sherry Shi
Photographer Assistant – Andrew Espinal | Stylist Assistant – Alexa Levine | Hair Assistant – Kristen Lynet
Sittings Editor & interview by Irene Ojo-Felix
Production – Sasha Grinblat
Associate Editor – Anire Ikomi | Social Media Coordinator – River Rodriguez
On Sherry above: Top – GAUGE81 | Jewelry – Jennifer Fisher
“When I look back on my modeling career, it has been an incredible journey. I have overcome a lot of roadblocks along the way.” When Houston native Sherry Shi was first curious about modeling, the biggest roadblock she had to overcome was imposter syndrome. Her older sister got signed with a local Texan mother agency when Sherry was 7 years old, and as a teenager, that same agency spotted her potential. After a fateful connection to IMG Models and a few years working in Tokyo and Singapore to get her footing, her breakout season came during the peak of the pandemic panic for the S/S 21 season walking for mega-watt productions at Burberry, Chanel, Valentino, Acne Studios and Versace. It was a calculated risk that certainly reaped rewards, as she landed on Models.com’s Top Newcomers list. “I had always dreamed of walking down all these huge and major shows and shooting for the most incredible editorials and campaigns. When I look back, I feel humility and gratitude for all the places God has put me and for the people He has put by my side.”
Within a year of that breakthrough season, she was on the cover of Vogue Magazine, a career check-off she describes as surreal. “American Vogue is and always will be the most influential magazine to me,” Sherry expresses. “To be on that cover with some of the most beautiful, incredible women in the world, will always be a huge treasure to me. Ethan James Green is an amazing photographer, talented and passionate, but also incredibly smart.” Since her start, Shi has been shot by photographers like Ethan, Sølve Sundsbø, Harley Weir, Mert and Marcus, and Tyler Mitchell on top of walking 35 shows this season, and landing her first beauty campaign with Laura Mercier this year. The rising model is taking a page out of her idol Cindy Crawford’s book by her main principle of personality is key. “There are many models I have looked up to and been inspired by, but Cindy is definitely the true definition of what a supermodel is,” Sherry declares. “She is intelligent, kind, and so talented. I am recently reading her book, Becoming, which has allowed me to appreciate modeling on a whole different level.” Before running to an important casting, her energy on set for this shoot was infectious – an engaging curiosity that left an impression. When she’s not modeling, the anime fan (she recommends Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen) is drawing some of her favorite anime characters, posting them on Instagram, and making TikTok with her cousin Hot Lister, Mathieu Simoneau.
