{"id":66903,"date":"2025-11-05T08:02:43","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T13:02:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/?p=66903"},"modified":"2026-03-30T12:32:38","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T16:32:38","slug":"the-graduates-ajus-samuel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/the-graduates-ajus-samuel\/","title":{"rendered":"The Graduates: Ajus Samuel"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class='row' id='cover'>\n<div class=\"small-12 medium-12 columns\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2025\/11\/011_3140_V3_HR_4x5.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"2000\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-67030\" \/>\n  <\/div>\n<div id=\"covertitle\">\n<h3>The Graduates<\/h3>\n<h1>Ajus Samuel<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n#content .row {max-width:100%}\n#cover { \nbackground-color: white; position: relative; margin: 0 auto 30px auto;; text-align: center; \n}\n#covertitle, #covertitle h1, #content #covertitle h3 { \ncolor: white;\nfont-family: \"SuisseIntl-SemiBold\", sans-serif; \n}\n#covertitle { \nposition: absolute; bottom: 2%; width: 100%; font-size: 3.8rem; font-weight: 900; \n}\n#content #covertitle h3 { \nfont-size: 8vw; line-height: 12vh;\ntext-transform: uppercase; \n}\n#covertitle h1 { \nfont-size: 12vw; \ndisplay: inherit; \n}\n#content div.post h2 {margin: 20px 0; background: white; font-family: \"SuisseIntl-SemiBold\",sans-serif; font-size: 2rem; color: #333;}\n@media (min-aspect-ratio: 1\/1) {\n    \/* Styles for tablets in landscape *\/\n   #cover img {width: 70% !important;}\n   #content #covertitle h3 { font-size: 4vw;}\n   #covertitle h1 { font-size: 6vw; display: inherit; }\n}\n#introbox { border: 1px solid white; padding: 90px 30px !important; max-width: 850px; margin: auto !important; font-family: \"SuisseIntl-SemiBold\",sans-serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: center !important; }\n.introblurb, .introblurb p, .post div.introblurb p:first-child {\nfont-size: .7em; \nline-height: 1.6; \ntext-align:justify;\nfont-family: \"SuisseIntl-Book\", sans-serif;\npadding: .3em 1em;\n}\n#content div.introcredits, #content div.introcredits p {\nfont-family: \"SuisseIntl-Book\", sans-serif;\nfont-size: .8em; \n}\n.pic40 { margin: 2% 10%;; text-align: center; }\n.videocontainer {max-width:600px; margin: auto;}\n.txtbox { \nfont-family: \"SuisseIntl-Book\",sans-serif; \nline-height: 2;\nfont-weight: 400; \nwidth: 36%; \nborder: 0; \nmargin: auto; \npadding: 5%;\n}\n.pullquote {\nfont-size:4vw;\nline-height: 1;\ntext-align:center;\nfont-style:italic;\nmax-width:900px;\nmargin:auto;\npadding:1em;\nfont-family: \"SuisseIntl-SemiBold\",sans-serif;\n}\n.credits:empty {display:none;}\n.credits {\nfont-size: .75rem; \npadding: 2rem 0;; \nfont-weight: normal; \ntext-align: center; \nclear: both; \ntext-transform: uppercase; \nmax-width: 800px; \nmargin: auto; }\n#thumbsul { margin: 0 8%; }\n.text-left {text-transform: capitalize !important;}\n#thumbsul a, .text-left a {color: black;}\n#thumbsul a:hover, .text-left a:hover {color: #666;}\n.separ { border: 1px solid white; clear: both; margin: 60px; }\nem {color: #999;}\n<\/style>\n<link type=\"text\/css\" rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/css\/sb\/f9defe4b9aca4767cc8a4f9e8a8731fa33a8f40b.css\"\/>\n<!-- mdc font Suisse --><\/p>\n<div class=\"txtdiv\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"introbox\">\n<div class=\"introblurb\">\n<p>For the past decade, Models.com&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/tag\/the-graduates\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The Graduates series<\/a> has been a visual check-in with the models of the moment who have consistently performed at the highest levels, going from the rising newcomers on the Hot List to the Top 50 recognizable muses throughout the world. Stars like Bella Hadid, Hoyeon, Vittoria Ceretti, Selena Forrest, and Sora Choi, to name a few, have all taken part in the milestone series that uniquely marks the shift in a model&#8217;s career. With major bookings in editorials, advertisements, lookbooks, and on the runway, these models have consistently locked down luxury clients in the most competitive markets while continuing to dominate on the global stage.<\/p>\n<p>To commemorate this season, we flew to Paris during the madness of fashion week to shoot all the top talent with photographer <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/valentin-herfray\">Valentin Herfray<\/a>. This year&#8217;s cast connects with the Models.com team to divulge how they got their starts, the key brands and creatives that have made their careers, and taking their place in the upper echelons.\n  <\/div>\n<div class=\"introcredits\">\n<p><em>Photography<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/valentin-herfray\">Valentin Herfray<\/a> c\/o <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/agency\/management-artists\">MA + Group<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Director\/Videographer<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/marcelgitard\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Marcel Gitard<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Editor-in-Chief<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/stephan-moskovic\">Stephan Moskovic<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Editorial Director<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/irene-ojo-felix\">Irene Ojo-Felix<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>Interviewer<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/anire-ikomi\">Anire Ikomi<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Stylist<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/morgane-camille\">Morgane Camille<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Hair Stylist<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/sarah-jo-palmer\">Sarah Jo Palmer<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Makeup Artist<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/porsche-poon\">Porsche Poon<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Manicurist<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/lora-de-sousa\">Lora de Sousa<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Movement Director<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/breckyn-drescher\">Breckyn Davila Drescher<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>Director of Photography<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/mathisfzls\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Mathis Frezouls<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Post-Production Video<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/romainverbois\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Romain Verbois<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Video Production Assistant<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/lois.blnd \/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Lo\u00efs Blondeau <\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>Production<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/360pm.net\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">360PM<\/a> &#8211; <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/agency\/management-artists\">MA + Group <\/a><br \/>\n<em>Executive Producer<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/christopher_cowan\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Chris Cowan<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Production Manager<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/juliachelou\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Julia Lellouche<\/a><br \/>\n<em>1st Assistant Photographer<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/remiprocureur\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Remi Procureur<\/a><br \/>\n<em>2nd Assistant Photographer<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/joshuaredlinger\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Joshua Abecassis<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Coordination<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/en__mode\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">En Mode<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Post-Production<em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/inkretouch\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">INK<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Digital Operator<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/romainboe\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Romain Boe <\/a><br \/>\n<em>Stylist Assistants<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/elviratiaou\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Elvira Tiaou<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Hair Assistants<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/chinami_hamaguchi_\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Chinami Hamaguchi<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/carlacirujeda\/?hl=en\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cara Cirujeda<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Makeup Assistants<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/xiaooooyuan\/?hl=en\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Xiaoyuan Yang<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/otosanta\/?hl=en\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Oksana Cherepanina<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Nail Assistants<\/em> Emma Giraudeau and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/yoanatg\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Yoanna TG <\/a><br \/>\n<em>Studio Location<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.studios-services.com\/studios\/studio-astre\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Studio Astre<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Special Thanks<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/agency\/elite-paris\">Elite Paris<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/_atours_\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Atours<\/a>, and <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/christopher-michael\">Christopher Michael<\/a> at Egos &#038; Icons <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"videocontainer\">\n<div style=\"position: relative; padding-top: 178%;\">\n  <iframe\n    src=\"https:\/\/customer-3i7jy10gxs89s0iu.cloudflarestream.com\/c0b49c83295a47c6457307cef9ad4b31\/iframe?muted=true&#038;preload=true&#038;loop=true&#038;autoplay=true&#038;poster=https%3A%2F%2Fcustomer-3i7jy10gxs89s0iu.cloudflarestream.com%2Fc0b49c83295a47c6457307cef9ad4b31%2Fthumbnails%2Fthumbnail.jpg%3Ftime%3D%26height%3D600\"\n    style=\"border: none; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; height: 100%; width: 100%;\"\n    allow=\"accelerometer; gyroscope; autoplay; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture;\"\n    allowfullscreen=\"true\"\n  ><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"txtbox\">\nSouth Sudanese Top 50 model <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/models\/ajus-samuel\">Ajus Samuel<\/a> burst onto the scene with her debut at the Saint Laurent S\/S 24 show, a worldwide exclusive debut that marked the beginning of a powerful partnership with the house. Since then, she has fronted four Saint Laurent campaigns, opened one show, and closed two for the brand, including her recent closing spot for S\/S 26. To date, she has walked in 98 shows worldwide, yet her path to fashion was anything but typical. During the 2021 lockdown, her sister encouraged her to try modeling. She reached out to her fellow South Sudanese model, <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/models\/mary-ukech\">Mary Ukech<\/a>, for advice who connected her with her mother agency, <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/agency\/90s-model-management\">90s Model Management<\/a>, which soon became Samuel\u2019s mother agency too. After being scouted, she signed with her London agency and was quickly confirmed as a Saint Laurent exclusive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"small-12 medium-12 columns\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2025\/11\/009_2592_V4_HR_COVER_MDC.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1163\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-67021\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credits\">\nHat &#8211; YOHJI YAMAMOTO VINTAGE at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/_atours_\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Atours<\/a> | Dress and shoes &#8211; <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/client\/jacquemus\">Jacquemus<\/a><br \/>\nTights &#8211; <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/client\/falke\">Falke<\/a> | Gloves &#8211; Anonymous designer at PRECLOTHED<br \/>\nSilver bracelet &#8211; CAMILLE SURAULT | Acrylic bracelet &#8211; SONIA RYKIEL VINTAGE at PASSAGE<br \/>\nEarrings &#8211; Anonymous designer at PASSAGE\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"pullquote\">&#8220;I always prayed for it, and I\u2019m very thankful.&#8221; <\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"small-12 medium-6 columns\">\n  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2025\/11\/011_3238_V3_HR_4x5.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"2000\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-67034\" \/>\n  <\/div>\n<div class=\"small-12 medium-6 columns\">\n  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2025\/11\/011_2969_V2_HR_4x5.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"2000\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-67026\" \/>\n  <\/div>\n<div class=\"credits\">\n  Hat &#8211; Anonymous designer at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/_atours_\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Atours<\/a> | Top &#8211; <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/client\/msgm\">MSGM<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"txtbox\">\nShe didn\u2019t grasp the magnitude at first, but her friends quickly made it clear that it was a career-defining moment. Since that debut, Samuel has worked with Juergen Teller, Stef Mitchell and Drew Vickers on advertisements for the French brand  and has become one of Anthony Vaccarello\u2019s key muses. Reflecting on her connection with Saint Laurent, she said, \u201cBeing in that kind of family feels like you are one of the chosen. It&#8217;s so rare and so special to me because so many people would want that opportunity. I always prayed for it, and I\u2019m very thankful.\u201d Beyond Saint Laurent, Samuel has fronted campaigns for Phoebe Philo, Fendi, and McQueen. Despite such global success, she stays grounded, often spending time with her family when she\u2019s not traveling. \u201cThey didn\u2019t understand it at first,\u201d she said about her family being supportive of her modeling. \u201cWhen I told them, they didn\u2019t approve, so I had to make up an excuse and later apologize. After my first show, I called them to explain what I do, and once they saw the results, they understood.\u201d Looking ahead, Samuel hopes to launch a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children. Having grown up on a scholarship, she wants to provide the same opportunities for others, paying forward the support that once helped her.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"small-12 columns\" id=\"thumbs\" style=\"text-align:center;\">\n<h2>The Graduates<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"small-block-grid-2 medium-block-grid-7\" id=\"thumbsul\">\n<li id=\"thumb-ajus-samuel\"><a href=\"\/mdx\/the-graduates-ajus-samuel\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2025\/11\/011_2969_V2_HR_1x11.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2025\/11\/011_3140_V3_HR_1x11.jpg\" style=\"display:none\"\/><br \/>\n        Ajus Samuel<br \/>\n      <\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"thumb-gaye-serigne\"><a href=\"\/mdx\/the-graduates-gaye-serigne\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2025\/11\/010_2804_V2_HR_1x11.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2025\/11\/gaye-square-237px.jpg\" style=\"display:none\"\/><br \/>\n        Gaye Serigne<br \/>\n      <\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"thumb-jiahui-zhang\"><a href=\"\/mdx\/the-graduates-jiahui-zhang\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2025\/11\/004_1502_V2_HR_1x11.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2025\/11\/003_1373_V5_HR_1x11.jpg\" style=\"display:none\"\/><br \/>\n        Jiahui Zhang<br \/>\n      <\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"thumb-libby-taverner\"><a href=\"\/mdx\/the-graduates-libby-taverner\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2025\/11\/001_0766_V4_HR_1x11.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2025\/11\/001_0899_V3_HR_1x11.jpg\" style=\"display:none\"\/><br \/>\n        Libby Taverner<br \/>\n      <\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"thumb-luiza-perote\"><a href=\"\/mdx\/the-graduates-luiza-perote\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2025\/11\/008_2447_V4_HR_1x11.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2025\/11\/007_2391_V2_HR_1x11.jpg\" style=\"display:none\"\/><br \/>\n        Luiza Perote<br \/>\n      <\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"thumb-rosalieke-fuchs\"><a href=\"\/mdx\/the-graduates-rosalieke-fuchs\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2025\/11\/005_1649_V4_HR_1x11.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2025\/11\/005_1904_V4_HR_1x11.jpg\" style=\"display:none\"\/><br \/>\n       Rosalieke Fuchs<br \/>\n      <\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"thumb-sara-caballero\"><a href=\"\/mdx\/the-graduates-sara-caballero\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2025\/11\/sara-square-237px.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2025\/11\/014_4025_V3_HR_1x11.jpg\" style=\"display:none\"\/><br \/>\n       Sara Caballero<br \/>\n      <\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"separ bottom\"><\/div>\n<p><script>\n$(\"[id^='thumb-']\").hover(function() {\n    $(this).find('img').toggle();\n});\n<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Graduates Ajus Samuel For the past decade, Models.com&#8217;s The Graduates series has been a visual check-in with the models of the moment who have consistently performed at the highest levels, going from the rising newcomers on the Hot List to the Top 50 recognizable muses throughout the world. Stars like Bella Hadid, Hoyeon, Vittoria [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":71,"featured_media":67021,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3044,155,99,2701,4257,1538,3066],"tags":[4742,4179,5419,1177,4494,5421,1036,5689,5420,5418,5417,197,2739,4278],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66903"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/71"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=66903"}],"version-history":[{"count":55,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66903\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":67119,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66903\/revisions\/67119"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/67021"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66903"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=66903"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=66903"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}