17 Best French Female Models You Should Look Out for
Want to learn more about French models who have turned heads both on and off the runways? This article will give you 17 of the best French female models.
One of the things France is synonymous with is fashion. Its capital Paris is known for being one of the 4 major fashion capitals, with Paris Fashion Week being a big deal for the industry.
The Women’s biannual schedule comprises the Spring/Summer edition, held between the end of September to the beginning of October, and the Fall/Winter edition, held between the end of February to the beginning of March.
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Haute couture fashion designers want their creations sashayed down the ramp in the best way possible, so they pick the top models to enrobe.
If you’ve ever wondered who the most famous French models are, this guide will show you the 17 best French female models to look out for.
These top supermodels and several famous upcoming models have worked with some of the best French fashion designers in the market to showcase their stunning creations.
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Best French Female Models
Earlier, the fashion industry had some implicit standards of how a model should look, and models were picked based on these criteria.
However, in the past couple of years, the industry has opened up to giving people beyond the old-fashioned “ideal beauty standards” a chance. The industry and those working within it choose to be inclusive and diverse as the years go by.
This list will tell you a bit more about the top French models in the fashion industry who have ruled the ramp over the years.
Each has something unique that makes them stand out among the crowd, which is why they were spotted and worked their way up to become the best French Female models.
1. Carla Bruni
Remi Jouan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
We start this list of famous French fashion models with the former First Lady of France, Carla Bruni.
For those unaware, Carla is an Italian-French model and singer whose international fame began with her early modeling days before she pursued other interests.
She started modeling for Guess jeans when she was 19, and, after a decade of walking the ramp, she became a singer releasing several popular French songs.
Bruni has paraded the ramp for Christian Dior, Karl Lagerfeld, Christian Lacroix, Yves Saint Laurent, Versace, Givenchy, John Galliano, Chanel, and Sonia Rykiel, among others hence becoming one of the highest-paid models in the 90s.
Eventually, she married the then-President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008, and her fame even grew more. She also ventured into acting and starred in Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris movie.
Today, she is one of the most famous French women in the acting/modeling industry.
2. Constance Jablonski
With blue eyes, blonde hair, and defined facial features, modeling scouts would say Lille-lady Constance Jablonski epitomizes model characteristics — at least according to the “old-beauty standards”.
It’s no wonder that after participating in 2006’s French Elite Model Look Contest, Constance was flooded with offers and, two years later, she made her catwalk debut.
But before she took the modeling world by storm, Constance pursued tennis as a profession, having played competitively for nearly a decade.
Constance is recognized as one of the best French supermodels because of her stellar portfolio.
She was the face of Estée Lauder in the past decade and has walked the runway for Donna Karan, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Burberry, Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci, Shiatzy Chen, and a Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
Additionally, she was a part of ad campaigns for Alberta Ferretti, Calvin Klein, Hermes, Nine West, Topshop, Moschino, and more.
She even co-founded French Bloom with her friend Maggie in 2020, a company that makes sparkling non-alcoholic wine made with organic fruits.
3. Camille Rowe
VOGUE Taiwan, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Paris-born Camille Pourcheresse, professionally known as Camille Rowe, is one of the top models from France.
Camille emulated her mother, who was a former model and dancer. If Camille’s controversial appearance on the 2016 cover of Playboy doesn’t ring a bell, you might recognize her as Harry Styles’ former girlfriend and inspiration behind his 2019 Fine Line album.
Her connection to music doesn’t end with her ex! Camille also features in The Weeknd’s Can’t Feel My Face alternate video.
Camille was still studying at university in 2008 when she became the face of Chloé. After that, there was no looking back.
She has since featured in campaigns for Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, H&M, Gap Inc., Abercrombie & Fitch, Tory Burch, and Adidas Originals.
Camille also appeared on the covers of Vogue (Paris, Italy, Spanish), Marie Claire, and Elle France.
Besides modeling, she has also dipped her toes in acting featuring in movies like Our Day Will Come, and The Deep House.
4. Sigrid Agren
Despite being from a small French island called Martinique in the Caribbean, Sigrid Agren did not let her humble background inhibit her chances at a modeling career.
Sigrid not only participated alongside Constance Jablonski in the 2006 edition of the French Elite Model Look Contest, but she went on to win it.
She lays as much emphasis on her education as on her profession and hence, didn’t pursue modeling full-time until after she graduated. Then there was no looking back.
Famous brands like Armani, Ralph Lauren, Chanel, Dior, and Versace wanted her to walk for them.
She even became the face of Stella McCartney, taking over from the eminent Kate Moss.
Agren is all about finding life balance so when the modeling life became too demanding, she took a break to focus on her inner well-being but later returned back to modeling in 2022 with a much healthier balance to yet again take on the fashion world.
5. Thylane Blondeau
Almost all the famous French models in this list started their careers after or when pursuing college.
However, Thylane Léna-Rose Blondeau has been modeling since she was a kid. Born in Aix-en-Provence, Thylane’s modeling career began at the very young age of only 4, when famed fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier discovered her and asked her to walk the ramp for his House.
Two years later, she was awarded the title of “Most Beautiful Girl in The World.” She also became the youngest international ambassador for L’Oreal Paris.
Although she is only 21 years old (as of 2022), she has had the privilege of modeling for Tommy Hilfiger, Lacoste, Dolce & Gabbana (alongside Zendaya), and Versace.
After walking in clothes for various brands, in 2018, she decided it was time for her to start her clothing brand called Heaven May.
6. Inès de la Fressange
nicogenin, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Modeling might run in Inès de la Fressange’s veins since her mother was also a model.
Inès began her modeling career in the 70s when she was only 17 and quickly gained attention.
A year later, she appeared in Elle magazine and modeled for Thierry Mugler. When Karl Lagerfeld saw her, she reminded him of Coco Chanel, so he took her under his wing while she became his muse.
In 1983, she signed an exclusive modeling contract with Chanel haute couture becoming the first model to do so.
In 1991, she launched her eponymous brand, where apart from clothes, she also sold perfumes but later lost the company to the biggest shareholders.
In recent years, Inès de la Fressange walked for Gaultier when she was 51 years old and later for Chanel during their spring-summer 2011 show.
7. Tina Kunakey
Joan Hernandez Mir, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Next on the list of best female French models is Toulouse-born Tina Kunakey. She captured the attention of everyone with her brown eyes, curly hair, and bronze skin.
For those unaware of her, she married Vincent Cassel, a famous French actor, in 2018 and even has a daughter with him.
She has modeled for Dior (with Bella Hadid), L’Oréal, Valentino, and Etam and made her runway debut by walking for Jean Paul Gaultier.
Tina was also featured in the ad campaigns of surf and snowboarding companies Roxy and Quicksilver.
She has graced the cover of Harper’s Bazaar (Spain), Elle (Arabia, Russia), Madame Figaro, Marie Claire (Italy), Grazia, and Vogue (Italy).
Additionally, she has also been featured in a couple of music videos which garnered her additional international fame.
8. Clementine Desseaux
Joining Tina from Toulouse is Clementine Desseaux. A vocal body positivity advocate, Clementine, a curvy, plus-sized model, ensured that people knew her for her work rather than her size.
She joined the fashion industry to help with her self-confidence issues and rose to become one of the best French fashion models busting the myth that size matters in the modeling industry.
She has featured in campaigns for Nike, Valentino, GAP, NARS cosmetics, and Tanya Taylor while gracing the covers of Vogue, Allure, and Harper’s Bazaar.
Apart from modeling, Clementine has two projects close to her heart — Bonjour Clem, a platform for expressing herself through blog posts, and All Womxn Project, an NGO for girls and women empowerment.
She aims to spread messages of inclusivity and self-love through these two initiatives.
9. Ophélie Guillermand
Next on the list of top French models is Ophélie Guillermand, who made her debut on the runway nearly a decade ago, barely after graduating high school.
Ophélie was a science graduate who hadn’t even thought of modeling as her career path before she decided to fly to New York City to pursue it.
She has worked in campaigns for Prada, Calvin Klein, Laura Mercier, Fendi, and Chanel and walked for designers like Carolina Herrera, Pierre Balmain, Marchesa, Prabal Gurung, and Jeremy Scott.
She has also been a Victoria’s Secret Angel. Eve Vogue Italia featured her on their cover twice.
Her professional success inspired her younger brother, Corentin, to give modeling a shot. So, now modeling has become a family business.
10. Mélodie Vaxelaire
Who would have thought a young 18-year-old girl from the islands of Guadeloupe would join the ranks of some of the top female French models and gain international fame?
I’m talking about the second brown-eyed, bronze-skinned, and curly-locked beauty on this list, Mélodie Vaxelaire.
She was the face of Chanel beauty, joining a list of other international ambassadors.
After this, she partnered with her friend Louise Follain and designed an eco-friendly lipstick in the shade “Folie,” a bright orangey-red, with a refillable case for La Bouche Rouge Paris, which is one of the best French makeup brands.
Mélodie has a knack for vintage clothing and loves classic pieces but doesn’t mind experimenting with bold prints and bright colors now and then.
She has been a part of Calvin Klein, Jacquemus, Marcia Wear, Monsieur Paris, and Etam Cruise campaigns. Additionally, she was on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar and Elle (France).
As her modeling career grows, Vaxelaire is looking to expand her portfolio to become an actress and is currently taking acting lessons.
11. Laetitia Casta
Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
15-year-old Laetitia Casta from Normandy did not realize that her life would change when she went on holiday to Corsica, where she won a local beauty contest in 1993.
She was then signed on to be a Guess girl. A couple of years later, she walked as a Victoria’s Secret Angel and became the spokesperson for the French beauty brand, L’Oréal.
Fast forward to the present day, she is one of the best French supermodels in the industry.
She has worked with Chanel, Dior, Nina Ricci, Dolce & Gabbana, Tiffany & Co., Pepe Jeans, Paco Rabanne, Roberto Cavalli, Kenzo, Pantene, Christian Lacroix, Jacquemus, Bvlgari, Vivienne Westwood and many more and was even Yves Saint Laurent’s last muse.
She has appeared on the cover of several popular publications like Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, Rolling Stone, and Elle.
Then she became a French actress and starred in numerous movies and a couple of music videos, like Rihanna’s Te Amo.
12. Noemie Lenoir
Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 3rd beauty, after Tina Kunakey and Mélodie Vaxelaire, featured among famous French female models who are also persons of color is Noemie Lenoir.
She came from the suburbs of Paris and had a humble background, with her parents working blue-collared jobs.
Noemie’s first big signing, at 17 years, was with L’Oréal, for which she worked alongside Laetitia Casta and Andie MacDowell.
She has also modeled for Marks and Spencer, Gucci, Gap, Next, Tommy Hilfiger, Balmain, and Victoria’s Secret.
She added acting to her portfolio when she bagged roles in After the Sunset, Rush Hour 3, and The Transporter Refueled. Apart from this, she was featured in a music video for Usher.
13. Filippa Hamilton
Christopher Peterson, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 2nd Paris-born model on this list after Camille Rowe is Filippa Hamilton. With her green eyes and blonde hair, Filippa quickly rose to become one of the most famous French women models.
She was barely 15 when she was spotted, and subsequently, she was signed on by Ralph Lauren.
Their partnership was going well until, for one of the ad campaigns, the brand used digitally edited images of her to make her look disproportionately thin.
But, before she could do anything about it, she was fired because, in the brand’s words, “not fitting into the sample clothes saved for her.” She spoke out after this horrific incident.
She has then gone on to work with Vogue, Elle, and Grazia by appearing on their magazine covers.
14. Louise de Chevigny
Louise de Chevigny’s signature short, cropped hair and chiseled features set her apart from many of the top French women models ruling the ramp currently.
She’s in a league of her own and, as a bonus, can pull off feminine and androgynous looks with equal ease making her coveted for fashion shows and magazine covers.
Three brands that love her and have constantly featured her in their campaigns are Missoni, Chanel, and Khaite.
Beyond cover features on Marie Claire and Elle, Louise was on Vogue’s Czech and Polish covers as recently as 2022 and its Paris edition in 2021.
15. Michaëla Thomsen
Michaëla Thomsen, Nice-born daughter of a Swedish mother and a Danish father, ruled hearts and the ramp from a young age with her Nordic looks featuring blonde hair and blue eyes.
Not wanting to rely solely on modeling, Michaëla became a brand owner in 2018 with her sister Emelie.
They launched a natural, clean, chemical-free cosmetics label called Thomsen Beauty that sells organic products like moisturizers, body creams, and antioxidant serums.
Her style includes wardrobe basics that are chic yet classic, think white top/t-shirt and jeans, with pops of statement pieces such as jewelry from Monsieur or a bag.
Her fashion inspiration is her mother. She prefers to shop from vintage stores but loves Dior from the iconic French fashion brands and Jacquemus from the newer lot.
16. Adèle Farine
Adèle Farine, a recognizable face in Paris fashion shows, is one of the top French models with her eyes set on New York next.
Creativity runs through her blood, with her photographer father and architect mother passing on their creative genes to this blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty.
Apart from modeling, Adèle also paints, something she got from her grandmother, who was also a painter.
Her campaigns have her adorning Claudie Pierlot, Yasmine Eslami, Guerlain, Courrèges, See by Chloé, and Zara. She wears her friend Alphonse Maîtrepierre’s pieces often.
Adèle loves vintage wear but also has a penchant for some simple boyish styles like a T-shirt and blazer or trousers and a shirt. Unlike other French female models, she doesn’t like accessorizing with jewelry.
17. Estelle Chen
We have a 3rd Paris-born model, who happens to be the final entry in this list of top female models from France, and she is none other than Estelle Chen.
Estelle gained fame as an Elite Model Look finalist; a yearly fashion modeling event held by Elite Model Management.
She shot into the limelight by walking for Raf Simons, creative director at Christian Dior, and Nicolas Ghesquière, creative director at Louis Vuitton. Her modeling career only soars from there.
From high-profile fashion designers like Jean Paul Gaultier, Michael Kors, and Elie Saab, and well-known luxury brands like Dolce & Gabbana, LOEWE, La Perla Atelier, Fendi, and Chloé, to upcoming brands like Eudon Choi, Kenzo, and Miu Miu, Estelle has walked for them all.
She even sashayed for Victoria’s Secret fashion shows in 2017 & 2018.
Final Thoughts on the Best Female Models from France
I hope this list gave you a little insight into the lives of the best Female models from France.
If you ever want some fashion inspiration, look at the outfits worn by these 17 top French female models, and I’m sure you will make heads turn.
What are your thoughts on the models and their achievements? Do you have a favorite? Let me know in the comments below.
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