There's always this feeling of excitement in witnessing Filipino models make waves in the global fashion scene. To see them strutting down the catwalks of haute couture designers during fashion week and posing in editorials and ad campaigns abroad give us a huge amount of pride over just how far their hard work has come.
Here are six Filipino models who've made a name for themselves in the international modeling scene.
Hannah Locsin
Hannah Locsin is living her best life abroad as she pursues her modeling dream. Locsin, who graduated from De La Salle University with a degree in Communication Arts in 2018, got her big break when she walked the runway for Gucci’s Spring/Summer 2020 show in Milan Fashion Week in 2019. She followed this up by once again walking down the catwalk for Gucci last 2020 during Milan Fashion Week, as well as Miu Miu, Ralph and Russo, and Rokh for Paris Fashion Week.
Danica Magpantay
Danica Magpantay won the Ford Models Supermodel of the World competition in 2011, making her the first Filipino in history to do so. If this isn’t providence enough, her mother, celebrity makeup artist Lala Flores, won the Ford Supermodel of the World Philippines in 1990. Magpantay has gone on to model for Adidas and beauty brands Too Faced and Sephora, as well as appear in countless fashion editorials and ad campaigns.
Charo Ronquillo
Charo Ronquillo, on her end, won the Ford Supermodel of the World Philippines search in 2005, and placed third in the finals. Called by many as Asia's Kate Moss due to her resemblance to the British supermodel, Ronquillo is her own person and has appeared in glossies like Vogue España, Vogue India, Teen Vogue, and Marie Claire. She has also modeled for Tory Burch, Lacoste, Nanette Lepore, and Fossil, among many others.
Janine Tugonon
Janine Tugonon has made a name for herself not just in the fashion world, but also in pageantry. This pharmacy graduate of the University of Santo Tomas was named first runner-up to Olivia Culpo in Miss Universe 2012. She then went on to become a successful model in the United States and was the first Filipino to appear in a Victoria’s Secret ad campaign. She has since posed in campaigns for Ralph Lauren, Nike, Marcella, as well as ads for Wells Fargo and Walmart.
Kelsey Merritt
Filipino-American Kelsey Merritt graduated from Ateneo de Manila University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts major in Communication. She was the first Filipino to ever walk down the runway of Victoria's Secret and made her debut along supermodels Adriana Lima, Kendall Jenner, and Gigi Hadid. She has likewise modeled for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit and Revolve, and is the new face of Bulgari Fragrances.
Paolo Roldan
Paolo Roldan, perhaps not as famous as the Filipina models in this list, has powerhouse brands under his belt. This Filipino supermodel has walked the runway for luxury fashion houses Givenchy, Hermès, and Armani, as well as Phillip Lim and Vivienne Westwood, to name a few. In 2016, Roldan was featured by Vogue, who couldn’t get enough of his cool, refreshing street style. (We couldn’t, either!)
Don't miss out on the latest lifestyle beats across Asia. Subscribe to The Beat's newsletter to receive compelling, curated content straight to your inbox!
