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22 French Models You Need To Know About

Here are the most famous French models you need to know!

Models are an essential part of the success of any designer or brand. 

It takes a keen eye to match models with assignments ensuring designers and brands get the best possible exposure to their products. 

French models are in great demand. The fashion modeling industry is highly competitive not only for designers, brands, and products but also for fashion models. 

Models age out or leave the industry; fresh faces are needed regularly. If your dream is to be a fashion model, you must get to Paris and grab every opportunity. 

Following is a list of twenty-three French models with extraordinarily successful careers in modeling and modeling-related industries. 

Reading who they are, where they come from, and the work these female models have done will motivate you to realize your dreams.

22 Incredible French Models You Need to Know

Here are some of the most famous French models of all time. 

If you know more French models that haven’t been mentioned in this article, please drop their names in the comments.

1. Tina Kunakey

The beautiful French model Tina Kunakey
Tina Kunakey – Andrea Raffin/ Shutterstock

French model Tina Kunakey has always had modeling aspirations. She was born on April 5, 1997, and is originally from a tiny Basque village in France. 

Before moving to Madrid, she appeared in local commercials and had photoshoots for brands such as Roxy and Quicksilver.

In Madrid, she signed with a Spanish model agency, Mad Management Model, and appeared in various photoshoots. 

After some time, the model with beautiful curly hair moved to London and signed with SUPA Model Management. Her career started to escalate after appearing in the popular music videos “Danje” and “Belinda.” 

She was on multiple magazine covers for Vogue, Grazia, Marie Clare, and others. She collaborated with reputed photographers such as Koto Bolofo and Ellen Von Unwerth. 

Her modeling clients include Dior and L’Oreal. She recently made her debut as a ramp model for Jean Paul Gautier.

Kunakey is married to Vincent Cassel, one of the best French actors.

2. Laetitia Casta

Elegant Laetitia Casta
Laetitia Casta -Andrea Raffin/ Shutterstock

Laetitia Casta was playing on the beach at fifteen when an agent from Paris’ Madison Models approached her. 

After her father’s consent, the agent took test photographs of young Laetitia. 

Soon after, she signed modeling contracts, and in 1993 Laetitia signed with Guess? Jeans for a remarkably successful advertising campaign. 

Laetitia was born May 11, 1978, in Pont-Audemer, Eure, France, and spent her childhood in Normandy. 

1996 saw Laetitia become one of the lead female models for none other than Victoria’s Secret, from where she was featured in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition for three consecutive years.

Also, Casta was one of Yves Saint Laurent’s muses.

Laetitia Casta appeared on over one hundred covers of popular magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Rolling Stone, and Glamour and did commercials for L’Oreal. 

In addition, she was named the “Marianne” of France in 2000, a reward for being the most beautiful woman in a decade.

She also portrayed Brigitte Bardot, an incredible French actress, in Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life (2010). 

3. Constance Jablonski

Constance Jablonski is one of the most famous French models
Constance Jablonski is one of the most famous French models – eversummerphoto/ Shutterstock

The 5 ft 11 in French model Constance Jablonski was born on April 17, 1991, in Lille, France. Her birthnames are Constance Marie Jeanine Jablonski. 

Possessing a Gallic beauty, Jablonski’s career kicked off in 2006 after entering the French Elite Model Look Contest 2006. 

Jablonski is best known for being an international model and has appeared in Victoria’s Secret Fashion shows from 2010 to 2015. 

In 2010 she became one of the faces of Estée Lauder 2010. In addition, she appeared on the catwalk for many notable designers, both Ready to Wear and Haute Couture. 

The famous French female model has been featured on the covers and on the pages of international fashion magazines such as Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, Allure, Vogue, and Rush.

Models.com ranked Constance at #11 on the Top Female Model list in 2015, which made her one of the most famous French people in recent years.

4. Michaëla Thomsen

Michaëla Thomsen was born in Nice, France, on December 6, 1990, to a Swedish mother and a Danish father. 

This explains her perfect Nordic profile of blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty and a willowy frame.

The French fashion model and influencer work from Paris and New York. 

Her first introduction to fashion was her Swedish style icon mother, who taught her early on that black is always chic. 

Her favorite French designers include Dior and Christophe Lemaire for their timeless elegance. 

However, she supports Maryam Nassir Zaheh and Jacquemus for their designs’ individualistic and contemporary energy. 

French model Michaëla Thomsen joined her younger sister in launching their green cosmetics label Thomsen Beauty in December 2018. 

The cosmetic label focus on creating organic beauty products. Michaëla promotes them and makes them part of her daily routine, something the sixty thousand followers on her thomsenmichaela Instagram account will be aware of. 

5. Adèle Farine

French model Adèle is based in Paris, and the blue-eyed blonde stands 5 ft 6in tall. 

She is contracting for model agencies in New York, Paris, Milan, London, and Barcelona. She was discovered in a pavement café, after which she agreed to model part-time. 

Adèle Farine was born in France in 1998 and inherited creative flair from her father, a photographer; her mother, an architect and her grandmother, a painter. 

Adèle pursues careers in modeling, acting, and painting. She cultivates both a feminine and a boyish style depending on her mood. 

6. Ophélie Guillermand

Ophélie Guillermand walking on a runway
Ophelie Guillermand – Ovidiu Hrubaru/ Shutterstock

Ophélie Guillermand is a female French model that grew up in France. She was discovered shortly after finishing high school and moved to New York to pursue modeling. 

Ophélie is a sought-after model who has starred in fashion campaigns for high fashion clients such as Fendi, Prada, Chanel, Tommy Hilfiger, Bobbi Brown, Carolina Herrera, and Laura Mercier. 

She has graced the pages and covers of magazines such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Numero. 

In addition, she is a popular photo model and has worked with Steven Meisel, Peter Lindbergh, and Paolo Roversi. 

This brown-eyed, ebony-haired French model was born on March 9, 1994, in Paris, France, and is a successful, internationally acclaimed print and runway model. 

7. Clementine Desseaux

Clementine Desseaux is anything but your typical French model! She does not fit into the stereotypical mold of being a French woman and lives by her beauty mantra “Be kind, be you.” 

She is a curvy, plus-sized model who moved from France to live in the USA shortly after college. 

However, she enjoys her French roots, stating that most French women are free-spirited, educated, cultured, and independent. 

Clementine is a proud and successful curvy model who became the first “plus size” woman to appear on French television in a Castaluna clothing commercial. 

She danced seductively, flaunting her curves in a bodysuit no less. 

Clementine graces the covers of international fashion magazines. Through her blog, Bonjour Clem, she reshapes people’s perceptions of French women and their styles. 

The beauty and lifestyle blogger was born in France on July 8, 1988. She co-founded the All-Woman Project, representing women of all shapes and sizes. 

8. Gabrielle Caunesil

Gabrielle Caunesil posing for a photoshoot in the streets of Milan
Gabrielle Caunesil – Luca Ponti/ Shutterstock

Gabrielle Caunesil is a famous French model born on October 20, 1992, in Paris, France but resides in Milan, Italy. 

The 5 ft 9 in French beauty has campaigned for brands like Jets Pure Instinct, Eurvi, and Bamba Swimwear. 

She endorsed brands 24Bottles, Ermanno Scervino, Blumarine, Missoni, and Adidas Women. 

She is represented by the following popular model agencies Women Management, Elite Model Management, and The Society Management. She has a massive Instagram following. 

Gabrielle Caunesil is considered a top French model and has been featured in notable magazines like The Chive and 708 Magazine. 

She started as a journalist for the Lux Agency before entering the modeling arena. 

9. Estelle Lefébure

The fabulous Estelle Lefébure in Cannes, France
Estelle Lefébure – Andrea Raffin/ Shutterstock

French model and actress Estelle Lefébure was crowned one of People magazine’s most beautiful in the world and a modeling sensation during the 1980s and 1990s. 

She was a cover model for Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, and others. 

In addition, Estelle appeared in advertisements for fashion brands such as Cartier, Christian Dior, Lacoste, L’Oreal, Revlon, Thierry Mugler, Versace, Victoria’s Secret, and many more. 

Estelle was born in France on May 11, 1966. George Gallier discovered her and managed her career exclusively at Prestige Models in Paris, France. 

Then, George Gallier moved to the USA and kept managing her career in America till 1991. 

She achieved national recognition shortly after the first Guess campaign in the early 1980s. Cover shots for Vogue and Elle followed suit, all contributing to her early successes as a model. 

Her modeling career started at nineteen. She was featured in four Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues. 

First in 1988 and again in 1989, 1990, and 1993. 1994 saw her named one of the fifty most beautiful people by People’s magazine. 

She was in the music video “Too Funky,” produced by George Michael and released by Columbia Records. 

Apart from being a model, Estelle Lefébure acted in her first film role in Gross Fatigue, a French comedy, in 1994, followed by portraying a model in the comedy Absolutely Fabulous in 2001. 

Her first lead role was in the horror film Frontière in 2007. She also produced songs for movie soundtracks. 

10. Lena Simonne

Lena Simonne is a French model, born September 9, 1997. She aspired to become a veterinarian but opted to study photography in high school. 

After graduating, she moved to Montpelier to further her photography studies. She was awarded a modeling contract with New Wave Management soon after. 

Her first model job was in the showroom of the fashion house Balmain. 

Since then, she has campaigned for top brands, including Victoria’s Secret, L’Oreal, and Off-White designer Virgil Abloh.

11. Caroline de Maigret

The talented Caroline de Maigret
Caroline de Maigret – sama_ja/ shutterstock

Carol de Maigret, the French model who modeled, left modeling for a music career and later returned to modeling. 

Carol was born on February 18, 1975, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, and is a model and actress. 

The 5f 9in French model is also a music producer and writer who enjoys Mexican food. 

Caroline left modeling after realizing how passive her life became since models always wait for someone to call. 

So she left modeling and established Bonus Track Records, which promoted rock ‘n roll. In 2011 she was nominated for a César (the French equivalent of an Oscar) for best soundtrack for the movie “Bus Palladium.” 

Shortly after, she met Karl Lagerfeld while interviewing him during the Paris Fashion Week. 

Three weeks later, his team contacted Carol, aged thirty-six, to appear in Chanel’s St Tropez resort show. She accepted the offer, and the rest is history! 

12. Cindy Bruna

The fantastic Cindy Bruna
Cindy Bruna – Andrea Raffin/ Shutterstock

Cindy Bruna was the first ever model of color to walk just for Calvin Klein in 2012. 

Born on September 27, 1994, her modeling career took off in 2013, walking on the runway for brands like Vivienne Westwood and Zuhair Murad. 

Steven Meisel, a fashion photographer, discovered Cindy Bruna, and soon after, Cindy modeled during Victoria’s Secret fashion show. 

She later also graced the cover of fashion magazines of Elle, Vogue, and Harper’s Bazaar. 

In addition, she is the international spokesperson for French beauty brand L’Oreal and an ambassador of Solidarité Femmes, which support survivors of domestic violence. Cindy Bruna is based in New York. 

13. Camille Rowe

Camille Rowe -Kathy Hutchins/ Shutterstock

Camille Rowe, born Camille Chrystal Pourcheresse, modeled for most of the biggest fashion brands, including Victoria’s Secret. 

She started her modeling career with Louis Vuitton and has since starred for Dior, Chloé, Tommy Hilfiger, Gap, and Abercrombie & Fitch. 

Rowe is a French model and actress who starred in the films Knuckledust and Hosea. 

Rowe resides in Los Angeles, California, and is contemplating designing her own collection with RVCA.

Camille Rowe was born in Paris, France, on January 7, 1990, to an American-born mother and French father, spending her youth in Paris, New York, and California. 

An actual authentic French American model for you.

14. Sigrid Agren

The extraordinary Sigrid Agren
Sigrid Agren – Nata Sha/ Shutterstock

Sigrid Agren, born April 24, 1991, entered the Elite Model Look in 2006 as a teenager and went to the finals in Paris, where she won the competition. 

She was runner-up in the Elite Model Look finals in Shanghai but signed with Elite Model Management in Paris shortly after. 

She only landed small jobs and took a break from modeling to finish her education in 2007. 

After completing her education, she returned to modeling, signing with New York Model Management and re-signed with Elite Models. 

She returned to modeling in a big way by taking the runway at the closing of the Prada Resort show. 

15. Inès de la Fressange

The elegant  Ines de La Fressange
Ines de La Fressange

Inès de la Fressange was named a member of the International Best Dressed Lis Hall of Fame in 1998. 

She is a fashion designer, perfumer, and French model born on August 11, 1957, in Gassin, France. 

Inès studied art history and only modeled to supplement her pocket money. Her career started at seventeen, and she has never looked back since. 

At twenty-five years of age, she signed an exclusive contract with Chanel and became the muse of Karl Lagerfeld, but later went her own way. 

Inès de la Fressange created her brand, opened a shop in Avenue Montaigne, authored Parisian Chic: A Style guide, and made perfumes such as Blanck Chic. 

She did all this while modeling for Jean-Paul Gaultier in 2011.

16. Mélodie Vaxelaire

Mélodie Vaxelaire is a French model that works for modeling agencies in New York, Paris, London, Barcelona, and Los Angeles. 

She was born on March 23, 1995, in Guadeloupe. She currently divides her time between living in Paris and New York.

Mélodie expressed an interest in dancing before a modeling agent spotted her in a supermarket in France. 

She was eighteen years old when her modeling career took off. Mélodie is the face of Chanel beauty and does ad campaign after ad campaign while studying drama. 

Mélodie Vaxelaire and Louise Follain recently designed lipstick for the La Bouche Rouge Paris brand. The design is unique in color, and the case is refillable, making it eco-friendly. 

17. Prune Pauchet

Prune Pauchet, model and actress, models for Rouje, Sezane, and Figaret and is known for seldom wearing make-up.

Pauchet represents the French style like few other female models and stands out for her beauty. 

Needless to say, Pauchet quickly became one of the most famous French women models.

18. Noémie Lenoir

The multiethnic beauty Noémie Lenoir
Noémie Lenoir – Jaguar PS/ Shutterstock

Noémie Lenoir was born September 19, 1979, in Les Ulis, Esonne, France. At seventeen, Noémie and her family relocated to Palaiseau, France. 

Standing out by her multiethnic beauty, Lenoir was spotted by a representative of Ford Modeling and signed her first modeling contract. Noémie launched her career in Paris but eventually moved to New York City. 

By the age of twenty-eight, Noémie Lenoir traveled between New York, London, and Paris and modeled creations of Ralph Lauren, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Vera Wang on major fashion runways.

Her face appeared in Marie Claire, Elle, Glamour, Sports Illustrated, the Italian division of Vogue, and the French edition of Cosmopolitan. 

Her career further included advertising campaigns for Gap, Mark & Spencer, Tiffany &Co, Tommy Hilfiger, and L’Oreal.

Lenoir was one of the world’s most successful black models.

19. Suzi De Givenchy

Suzi De Givenchy, a fifty-something-year-old French model, did not shy away when approached to model for Next Model Management. 

The widow of Hubert de Givenchy now shares the runway with Naomi Campbell, Gigi Hadid, and Cindy Crawford.

She was featured on the cover of Vogue and did runway shows for Off-White. In addition, she has worked with Demna Gvasalia for Balenciaga. 

Suzi De Givenchy’s roots lie in Hong Kong. However, she was raised in New York and settled in Paris. 

She was married to Hubert De Givenchy and only started her modeling career after his passing. 

She was discovered by Versace Vanni, a talent scout at Next Model Management, during a dinner party. 

At first, she was hesitant to enter the modeling scene at her age, but she reconsidered, and the rest is history.

20. Betty Doye

Betty Doye is a female French model based in Paris and has modeled for brands such as Pierre Cardin and was on the covers of magazines such as Marie Claire, Romance, and OBB.

Doye has beautiful blonde hair and a French girl flair. Gorgeous!   

21. Louise de Chevigny

Louise de Chevigny is a French model that was born on March 23, 1991. Louise is known worldwide thanks to her unique facial features and short hairstyle.

Louise was on the cover features of magazines such as “Biba.” She was recently offered an opportunity to walk on the Chanel ready-to-wear runway show. 

In addition, Louise recently starred in Marie Claire, Elle, and Vogue Paris photo productions. 

22. Louise Follain

Louise Follain was born and raised in Paris and is working to become a style icon. 

Besides being a model, Louise became editor and chief of a new editorial project titled Combo magazine. 

Louise is a French model who has gained popularity on social media, and her Instagram page, louisefollain, has two hundred and eighty thousand followers. 

She models for New York, Paris, Milan, London, Copenhagen, and Los Angeles agencies.

More French Top Models Worth Knowing

  • Estelle Chen
  • Thylane Blondeau
  • Carla Bruni (known for Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris 2011 movie. She is the former First Lady of France, married to Nicolas Sarkozy, and a former model for Yves Saint Laurent)

Did you enjoy reading about these female fashion models from France? Then share this article on your social media!

22 Incredible French Female Models You Need to Know

  1. Tina Kunakey
  2. Laetitia Casta
  3. Constance Jablonski
  4. Michaëla Thomsen
  5. Adèle Farine
  6. Ophélie Guillermand
  7. Clementine Desseaux
  8. Gabrielle Caunesil
  9. Estelle Lefébure
  10. Lena Simonne
  11. Caroline de Maigret
  12. Cindy Bruna
  13. Camille Rowe
  14. Sigrid Agren
  15. Inès de la Fressange
  16. Mélodie Vaxelaire
  17. Prune Pauchet
  18. Noémie Lenoir
  19. Suzi De Givenchy
  20. Bette Doye
  21. Louise de Chevigny
  22. Louise Follain

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