You’ve seen her cherubic face everywhere: she’s on billboards, the covers of numerous glossies, and stomping all over the runways at Fashion Week. But how much do you really know about the model of the moment, Gigi Hadid? The 20-year-old Malibu-born beauty is much more than just another pretty face, and we’ve compiled the 10 things you need to know about the lady poised to become the fashion’s biggest newcomer.
1. Gigi is of Palestinian and Dutch descent
The stunner grew up in Papendrecht, Holland with her Palestinian real estate magnate father Mohamed Hadid and former Dutch supermodel Yolanda Foster. Now that explains where all those gorgeousness come from!
2. Her mum is a Real Housewife
Yolanda Foster joined the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in 2012. Gigi has appeared in eight episodes of the hit Bravo show, including one in which Yolanda helped her pack for her big move to Manhattan so she could pursue her modeling career.
3. She’s linked to the Kardashians
It’s a weak link, but it’s there! Gigi’s mom is now married to legendary musician David Foster, who used to be married to Linda Thompson. Yes, the same Linda Thompson who was married to Bruce Jenner. That means her step-dad is Kendall and Kylie Jenner’s half-brothers’ former step-dad.
4. Kendall and Gigi are tight
Gigi already has a celeb fanbase – she’s great pals with Kendall Jenner, as well as Hailey Baldwin, Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift. Gigi’s Instagram makes compulsive viewing – just check out the enviable photos of her and Kendall on holiday!
5. She started modelling at 2 years old
She posed for Baby Guess at a tender age after being “discovered” by Paul Marciano, the brand’s co-founder – who happened to be her preschool pal’s dad. In 2012 at the tender age of 17, Gigi became the face of Guess.
6. She’s a longstanding relationship with Maybelline
The beauty giant snapped her up as a brand ambassador in January this year. Gigi has a sweet story about Maybelline, too – the first beauty product she ever owned was a superstay 24hr concealer from the brand, which she hid from her mom because she wasn’t allowed to wear make up.
7. Gigi is a bi-coastal dresser
She divides her time evenly between Malibu, her hometown, and New York City. That means her wardrobe is pretty versatile! “It’s funny because [my style is] definitely different when I’m in New York or when I’m home in California. I think that I kind of take on two different personalities in those two places through my style. In California, I’m more of a beach chick and I kind of take on a model city girl when I’m in New York.”
8. She’s a sporty chick
Growing up, Gigi was a competitive horseback rider as well as the captain of her high school’s varsity volleyball team. These days, she stays fit with boxing sessions at her favorite gym in New York City.
9. She’s got beauty… and brains
Gigi studies criminal psychology at The New School in New York. How about that?
10. She doesn’t have expensive tastes
Despite walking the catwalk for labels like Marc Jacobs and Chanel, Gigi doesn’t have expensive tastes. In fact, she revealed that she washes her face with “cheap stuff from CVS”, and said that when she runs out she “picks whichever one I think looks the coolest or smells good.” Her must-have product? Fresh Sugar Lemon Bath Gel.
Watch Gigi Hadid work her angles at the Carine Roitfeld’s “Beauty Queens” shoot.
