Source: Riddle Magazine

15 Models Who Launch Their Own Business

Source: M&S Tailoring

1. David Gandy

Muscular male models may be the norm now, but it hasn’t always been that way. David Gandy is cited as the trendsetter, flexing his muscular build and prompting the industry to move away from its prototypical skinny models. All thanks to his flatmate: Gandy had no aspirations to be a model whatsoever—his breakthrough came about when his friend entered his picture to a modelling competition without him knowing. Now, Gandy has fully embraced his fame, releasing the very aptly-named mobile app David Gandy Men’s Style Guide in 2010 which seeks to give men styling advice.  

Source: M&S Tailoring

Source: Ocean Drive Magazine

2. Heidi Klum

Following the end of her 13-year reign as a Victoria’s Secret Angel, Heidi Klum admitted she’s become more of a businesswoman than a model. The fact that her work has been featured by Birkenstock and the 2002 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is proof that her talent for fashion design is not limited to clothings. Klum launched a maternity line and collaborated with New Balance for her activewear HKNB. Five years later, she kicked off her hugely popular lingerie line Heidi Klum Intimates here in Melbourne. Klum also hosted reality competition Project Runway for 16 glorious seasons and is now helming her own Amazon show Making The Cut due to premiere in 2020.

Source: Vegas Magazine

Source: Katama

3. Garrett Neff

Most well-known as the face of Calvin Klein’s MAN fragrance, Garrett Neff’s years of knowledge as an industry insider combined with his love for the outdoors have birthed KATAMA, a resort wear brand for men. His earliest memory is of time spent by Katama Bay off the coast of Massachusetts with his family. As a matter of fact, he credits his closest ones for his sense of style. “The preppy athleticism of my father, the tailored sharpness of my world-traveling grandfather, and the military functionality of my uncle … form[s] the backbone of the KATAMA brand,” he said in a statement on KATAMA’s website. 

Source: Christian Hogstedt

Source: conversationsabouther.net

4. Tyra Banks

Tyra Banks paved a way for African-American women in the fashion industry by becoming the first to ever grace the cover of GQ and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, as well as consistently being named one of Time Magazine’s most influential people. Refusing to stop there, her drive to succeed continues to amaze when she enrols in a 9-week program at the Harvard Business School as an aspiring entrepreneur. She has now launched her very own make-up line Tyra Beauty. 

Source: attractionsmanagement.com

Source: Jung Culture

5. Kwon Sang-Woo

Kwon Sang-Woo is a South Korean actor and model. At the height of his career, he delivered an Oscar-worthy performance in the melodramatic series Stairway to Heaven. This tear-jerking, heart-wrenching drama earned him the nickname “Mr. Tears”. In a tongue-in-cheek manner, Sang-Woo ventured to name his cosmetics firm Natural Tears, and to model for his own product TEARS.  

Source: Arena Homme Plus Magazine

Source: Kate Spade

6. Karlie Kloss

Karlie Kloss is much more than a pretty face. She’s also an avid computer programmer. Her flagship summer code program Kode with Klossy is launched in the hopes to inspire young girls with an interest in the male-dominated STEM industry to just go for it. The numbers show that her game plan is definitely working. Within just three years, scholarships that Kloss awards to young women has drastically increased from 21 to over 1,000, and she has expanded her program from New York to a dozen more areas in the U.S.

Souce: IMG Models

Source: Raf Simons

7. Luka Sabbat

Although his name is now echoed as Kourtney Kardashian’s newest love interest, Luka Sabbat is a model and successful entrepreneur in his own right. He has worked with brands like Dolce&Gabbana, Hugo Boss, and Tommy Hilfiger. Sabbat has also collaborated with Italian Designer Gianni Monini for a jewellery line. At the age of just 21, Sabbat has accomplished more than people twice his age could perhaps only dream of.

Source: Raf Simons

Source: editorialist.com

8. Alexa Chung

Alexa Chung started modelling at the wee age of 16, already working for mega firms in the likes of Fanta, Sony Ericsson, Tampax, and Sunsilk. Chung then took a 5-year hiatus from the modeling world, only returning every once in a while after diverting to TV. Still, there is no denying her natural flair for fashion. She won the British Style Award for 4 consecutive years and made it to Tatler’s top 10 best-dressed list. In May 2017, she debuted her own clothing line Alexa Chung, which ranges from casual, workwear, to partywear, all embodying her distinctive personal style.

Source: fashionista.com

Source: Pridelux Atelier

9. Jack Guinness

Starting his career as a fashion model, Jack Guinness was featured by L’Oreal, Dunhill, and Dolce & Gabbana. Applying his knowledge of the modeling industry into writing, Guinness went on to become a fashion commentator for a variety of publications, including Italian Vogue, The Guardian, and British GQ. An out-and-proud gay man himself, he is now the founder and director of The Queer Bible, a platform which seeks to shed light on LGBTQ history and promote the works of LGBTQ communities around the world.

Source: pocketmags.com

Source: Vogue Turkey

10. Candice Swanepoel

The South African Beauty launched her swimwear line Tropic of C with eco-sustainability in mind. Her collection is made of recycled nylon, which in turn helps reduce ocean litter. She’s also committed to championing female empowerment. The brand is backed by a team of working mothers and support mothers2mothers, a charity devoted to achieving HIV-free generation of mothers in Africa.

Source: celebritystyleguide.com

Source: Nobleman Magazine

11. Rande Gerber

Rande Gerber may have hung his cape as a model, but he’s still more than just Kaia Gerber’s doting dad or Cindy Crawford’s loving husband. The hospitality company he founded is still standing, stronger than ever. The Gerber Group owns 15 cocktail bars and restaurants across the U.S., and remains the most sought-after by high-end hotels. In 2013, Gerber partnered with George Clooney to launch Casamigos Tequila.   

Source: British GQ

Source: Pinterest

12. Vivian Geeyang Kim

In a culture where plastic surgery is part of everyday life and anyone above Australian size 10 is considered fat, South Korean self-proclaimed plus-size model Kim is determined to break down these harmful prejudices. Despite constant rejections and online death threats, Kim is eager to inspire self-love and body-positivity. She started her own online shop/fashion magazine “66100” which offers tips for plus-size women and advise on how to deal with bullying. The magazine’s motto is “No Matter What, You Are Beautiful”.

Source: Pinterest

Source: Vanity Fair

13. Fabio Lanzoni

Fabio Lanzoni’s long lustrous locks are not the only thing enviable about him. He is also an accomplished author, having published nearly ten historical romance novels. On top of that, The Italian hunk designed a casual womenswear line for Walmart and launched a company selling fitness protein pills.

Source: reddit

Source: Mango Magazine

14. Miranda Kerr

Worlds away from her motorbike-racing and horse-riding filled childhood, Miranda Kerr is now the co-founder and the face of her skincare line Kora Organics. She uses 100% natural and organic ingredients in her products, which she believes sets her brand apart from other cosmetics ranges. Kerr proudly declares most of her products vegan and condemns animal testing. “These products tested on me,” she said.

Source: MEI.com

Source: Vogue Paris

15. The Beckhams

The Beckhams possess star power and persona only comparable to that of the British Royal Family’s. Victoria was part of 90s’ biggest pop girl group and David was a household name in the football world. Joined forces, the duo is unstoppable. They have built an empire’s worth of business ventures. David’s Instinct cologne proves to be highly in-demand, while Victoria’s clothing line was Meghan Markle’s first choice for her engagement picture. Indeed, The Beckhams remain the epitome of the world’s power couple.

Source: Vogue Paris