Taking place at Pavilion KL, in collaboration with The Hour Glass, the exhibition will be happening from 6th August until 14th August 2022.
Kendall Jenner is taking the crown for the highest-paid model in 2022 after raking in a reported A$55 million | Source: Angelo Pennetta, Vogue
While there’s no doubt modelling is a competitive industry, it’s also no secret that amongst the world’s most elite models it’s a lucrative business. The world’s top tier models command an envious amount of money through big brand contracts, sponsorship deals and high-paying partnerships. Whether it’s as part of a mega international agency or self-promoted, here’s a look at the highest paid models in the world.
Kendall Jenner
Estimated earnings: A$55 Million
While the Kardashian/Jenner clan are a brand in their own right, it’s the oldest Jenner sibling, Kendall, who holds the title of the highest paid model in the family. The tall brunette has strutted her stuff for the likes of Estée Lauder, Calvin Klein, Fendi, Marc Jacobs and Karl Lagerfeld. On top of this, there’s no doubt her immense social media fanbase helps her modelling career with the supermodel reportedly charging over A$1 million per post to her over 221 million Instagram followers.
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Cara Delevingne
Estimated earnings: A$42 Million
While over the past few years the English model has more often been seen gracing the big screen instead of the catwalk featuring in movies such as Valerian and Suicide Squad, Delevingne still claims a top spot on the highest paid model list. A professional model since 2009 and winning Model of the Year at the British Fashion Awards twice, it’s no wonder she gets paid well. The long list of brands on her resume includes the likes of Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Chanel and Louis Vuitton.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
Estimated earnings: A$44 Million
Aside from being a model, the British bombshell can also add actress, YouTube star and businesswoman to her resume. Likely most well-known for her work with lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret, Huntington-Whiteley has also modelled for Abercrombie & Fitch, Burberry and Givenchy.
She also boasts a long list of appearances in numerous high-end advertising campaigns for Ralph Lauren, Versace, French Connection, Macy’s, and Bloomingdale’s. Outside her modelling career the glamorous English model also runs several businesses that contribute to her wealth including a series of lingerie and fragrance lines.
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Adriana Lima
Estimated earnings: A$43 Million
From starting professional modelling after winning a beauty pageant in elementary school, the Brazilian model is most commonly recognised as a Victoria’s Secret Angel. Working with the brand from 1999 to 2018, she was its longest-running model, named “the most valuable Victoria’s Secret Angel” in 2017.
In 2015 and 2016 Lima ranked second on Forbes’ Top Earning Models’ List, largely due to being an ambassador for IWC, Puma and Maybelline as well as other ventures with Super Bowl, Kia Motors and gracing the covers of numerous magazines.
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Gigi Hadid
Estimated earnings: A$28 Million
Daughter of former Dutch model Yolanda Hadid, the 26 year old American model is now a staple of the industry. Featuring on international Vogue magazine covers thirty-five times over four years, the oldest Hadid sibling has also worked with Guess, Tom Ford, Michael Kors, and Jean Paul Gaultier. In 2016, she was named International Model of the Year by the British Fashion Council.
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Gisele Bundchen
Estimated earnings: A$55 Million
Since 2001, the 40 year old Brazilian model has been a regular feature on ‘highest-paid models in the world,’ lists. So great is her influence, in 2007, Bündchen was the 16th richest woman in the entertainment industry and in 2014, she was listed as the 89th Most Powerful Woman in the World by Forbes.
Her long resume includes campaigns for Missoni, Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Ralph Lauren, and Versace to name a few as well as supporting roles in movies The Devil Wears Prada and Taxi.
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Liu Wen
Estimated earnings: A$25 Million
As the first model Chinese model to walk the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, it seemed fitting that she then became the first Asian model to ever make Forbes magazine’s annual highest-paid models list. Her work includes walking for Burberry, Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Hermès as well as partnerships with Estee Lauder and clothing brand La Perla.
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Chrissy Teigen
Estimated earnings: A$53 Million
After making her modelling debut in 2010 for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, the American is now more likely known for her television work such as a co-host for Lip Sync Battle and a judge on comedy series, Bring the Funny. With many sources to her wealth, she’s also a New York Times bestseller for her 2016 cookbook, Cravings: Recipes for All of the Food You Want to Eat.
Modelling is a tough industry that keeps the people involved on their toes. But it can be highly rewarding too. If one is able to grab enough exposure and a few great deals, the industry will make you super rich. There are even rags to riches stories in this industry. Here, take a look at the 15 highest paid models in the world 2022.
The top 15 Highest Paid Models of 2022:
15. Karlie Kloss: $13 million
American fashion model and entrepreneur; Karlie Kloss with estimated earning of $13 million comes at number 15. Kloss, one of America’s most beautiful model was a Victoria’s Secret Angel from 2011 to 2014. She’s one of America’s most beautiful model.
14. Alessandra Ambrosio – $16 million
Alessandra Corine Ambrósio is a Brazilian model and actress. Ambrpsio had started taking modelling class at the age of 12. She rose to fame when she was just 14. Ambrosio gained recognition after 1996 Elite Model Look national competition. Ambrosio is currently one of the Victoria’s Secret Angels and was the company’s first spokesmodel for the “PINK” line. In the past, Ambrosio known to have modelled for Ralph Lauren, Armani Exchange, Next, Christian Dior etc. She has appeared in numerous international magazine covers and in advertisements for eminent brands. Currently Ambrosio serves as an ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
13. Miranda Kerr – $17 million
Australian super model retains high paying contracts with Wonderba and Escada fragrance. The 34-years-old also has a cosmatic line, Kora Organics, and a series of china and glassware with Royal Albert.
Miranda was the first Australian to participate in the Victoria’s Secret campaign in 2007. Kerr began modelling when she was 13. In 1997 she got her big break when Kerr won the nationwide model search by Dolly magazine and Impulse fragrances. Her winning stirred controversies about the effect of modelling and fashion on young girls who were the age of Miranda Kerr. Kerr is the author of a self-help book, represents an Australian department store chain called David Jones. Also, she had her own brand of organic skincare products called KORA Organics. She’s also ranked one of the most desirable women list.
12. Doutzen Kroes: $17 million
At number 12 of the highest paid models of 2022 is Doutzen Kroes – A Dutch model and actress. When she was young Kroes aspired to be a professional speed skater. When a little older, she went to work for Paparazzi Model Management in the Netherlands who sent her to New York City. From then on she has never looked back. Kroes currently works with L’Oréal and has featured on the covers of Time, Seventeen, Marie Claire, Glamour, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, W, Elle, Dazed & Confused, Avantgarde, and Numéro. Kroes is also a former Victoria’s Secret Angel. She actively supports international initiative Dance4life.
11. Candice Swanepoel – $18 million
South African Angel balances the time constraints of a sizeable Victoria Secret contract with both Biotherm and Maxfactor contracts. Though she now earn millions from endorsements, she’s now world’s highest paid models.
She was spotted by a model scout at 15. She has appeared in numerous covers of Elle, GQ, Harper’s Bazaar, i-D, Lush etc. Swanepoel has appeared in advertisements for Jason Wu, Prabal Gurung, Jean Paul Gaultier, Christian Dior among other. Today she is best known for modelling for a Victoria’s Secret Angel since 2010. Swanepoel actively supports the charity Mother2Mother that works towards eradicating HIV from the lives of mothers and children in Africa. She’s ranked one of the most beautiful women of the year.
10. Liu Wen – $18 million
The Chinese fashion model, Liu Wen has the face and the body; Her steady contracts with Estee Lauder and high end clothing brand La Perla make her one of the world’s highest paid models. She is the first model of East Asian descent to walk the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Catch her on Instagram here liuwenlw.
9. Joan Smalls: $19 million
A runway expert, the Puerto Rican star walks in more shows than her fellow list members, and still finds time to shoot campaigns for Estee Lauder, Moschino fragrances and more.
8. Bella Hadid: $19 million
The youngest member of the list of highest paid models. The 22-year-old Hadid is the face of Dior beauty, Bulgari and Tag Heuer. Ads are still standard fare—but increasingly, posts to her 21.7 million Instagram followers are what brands now find more valuable.
7. Gigi Hadid: $20 million
At the tender age of 22, Gigi has became one of the highest paid models with an estimated earning of $20 million. Her ascendance on the list is partly owing to deals with Maybelline, Tommy Hilfiger, BMW, and Topshop. Ranked amongst Top 50 Models at Models.com. In addition, she was named “International Model of the Year” by the British Fashion Council.
6. Cara Delevingne: $31 million
Perhaps something of a surprise. At number 6 of the 10 highest paid models of 2022 is Cara Jocelyn Delevingne. She’s currently focusing on her film work, but, still immensely popular in modeling industry. With a dedicated Instagram following of 34 million, making her one of the most popular, if not the biggest earner this year.
Delevingne is a fashion supermodel, actress and singer. She made her modelling debut at age ten then in 2009, after leaving school, Delevingne signed with Storm Model Management. Delevingne won the “Model of the Year” twice in 2012 and 2014 at the British Fashion Awards. Cara has appeared in shows for houses like Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry, Mulberry and Jason Wu. She has acted in films like Anna Karenina (2012), Paper Towns (2015) and Suicide Squad (2016). Among AskMen’s ‘Most Desirable Women’, Delevingne ranked 13th.
5. Adriana Lima – $31 million
The longest-running angel in Victoria Secret history, Brazilian super model comes fifth amongst highest paid models of 2022. Since 2000, Lima has been a spokes model for Maybelline cosmetics and of Super Bowl and Kia Motors commercials from 2003 to 2009. She is best known as Victoria’s Secret Angel.
Lima began thinking about modelling when she won a beauty pageant in elementary school. Then at the age of 15, she participated in the Ford’s “Supermodel of Brazil” competition. Following which she came second at the Ford “Supermodel of the World” competition. Next she moved to New York City and signed with Elite Model Management from where her career just took off.
4. Rosie Huntington-Whitely: $32 million
One of the most glamorous English model, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley comes at number 4 in our list. Earning a cool $32 million is home-grown talent. A royalty cut her own series of lingerie, make-up and fragrances lines for department store Marks & Spencers account for the majority newcomer, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Follow her on Instagram @rosiehw.
3. Gisele Bundchen: $35 million
Although retired, Gisele Bundchen once again reigns top amongst the highest paid models. All hail the reigning Queen of wealthy supermodels. For over ten years Gisele has presided over the top of the list.
Gisele Caroline Bündchen is a model, actress, and producer from Brazil. Bündchen began her rise as a model in the 90s. By 1999, she is credited with ending the “heroin chic” era of modelling. Sometimes called the only remaining true supermodel today. Bündchen pioneered the “horse walk” and was part of Victoria’s Secret Angels from 2000 to mid-2007. As an actor she has played a supporting role in Taxi (2004) another supporting role in The Devil Wears Prada (2006). Bündchen has for long been associated with many charities like; Doctors without Borders and Save the Children, Red Cross.
2. Chrissy Teigen: $39 million
Thanks to her giant social media presence, the former Sports Illustrated cover star has branched out beyond modeling into a line of cookware, a second cookbook and hosting television show Lip Sync Battle.
1. Kendall Jenner: $40 million
One of the most beautiful girls in the world right now. Kendall comes at number 1 amongst the world’s highest paid models. Her ‘ ballet skills ‘ may have recently come under fire but hey, Kendall has netted herself $40 million during last year. We doubt she’s bothered about the haters. She’s one of the most followed girl on Instagram. Check her @kendalljenner.