Meet familiar faces behind fashion’s biggest campaign and runways this past year and let’s get to know them personally
While we may recognize popular female supermodels such as Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner, or Kaia Gerber, the world of male modeling operates quite differently. Lesser-known names like Oliver Chesire, Leon Dame, and Cheikh Dia have recently risen to prominence, featuring in high-profile campaigns and strutting down runways across the globe. These seven male models have successfully made their mark in the fashion industry, demonstrating a strong sense of style and a keen eye for success.
Oliver Chesire
At just 15 years old, Oliver was scouted by Select Model Management in 2003, and his career took off when he landed a spot as the face of a Calvin Klein Jeans ad just two years later. Over the past two decades, he has continued to achieve success in the modeling industry, as well as branching out into entrepreneurship with the launch of his own label, Che Studios. With a star-studded status, boasting 185K followers on Instagram, he is often seen as a VIP attendee at numerous fashion events and red carpet functions. His modeling accomplishments are too numerous to list, but some of his most notable accolades include being named “International Model of the Year” and “Best Groomed Man” by highly-publicized magazines. Revisit our special interview with Oliver Chesire here.
Leon Dame
From Dries Van Noten, Maison Margiela, to AMI Paris, Leon Dame has been the likes of many designers since his debut in 2019. With tousled blonde hair and a distinctive trademark mole, this Berlin-born model possesses unique and recognizable features. However, it was his energetic and androgynous walk during Margiela’s 2020 show that caused a stir on social media. Since then, he has solidified his status in the fashion industry, earning the title of “Model of the Year” by Models.com in 2022.
Cheikh Dia
Standing tall at 182 cm makes Cheikh Dia very easy to spot on runways. His standout feature and impressive runway skills have made him a popular choice among designers to open and close their shows. Recently, he caught the industry’s attention with his opening walk for Louis Vuitton during their Fall/Winter 2023 presentation in Paris. In addition to his runway success, Cheikh is also a familiar face in the fashion industry’s major publications. He has fronted fashion campaigns for prestigious brands such as Hermès and Louis Vuitton, and frequently poses for fashion editorials.
Alton Mason
Having one million followers on Instagram with posts mostly about his modeling activity makes this American model truly the one to watch. His current status as “Model of The Year” awarded by Models.com by readers’ votes and industry insiders has brought him to fame. For Fall/Winter 2023 alone, he has walked for more than 10 shows appearing as the first and last face. He was also the first black model to ever walk for Chanel’s show.
Kit Butler
We’d like to call him the female version of ‘then’ Cara Delevingne for his current status as the favorite of fashion designers. The London-based model is not only known for his chiseled cheeks and British ancestry but also for his breakthrough when he opened Coach Fall/Winter 2015 show at the age of 16. Now at 24, Kit has walked for Burberry, Giorgio Armani, Casablanca, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, and more. His latest work includes posing for Calvin Klein as shot by Emmanuel Monslave.
Adamu Bulus
Born and raised in Nigeria, Adamu Bulus first started his modeling career in 2020 when he got to walk for Prada as his first client. Since then, he has come to rise and model for many major fashion brands and designers. His latest breakthroughs include starring in the campaign of Louis Vuitton’s Fall 2022 titled “A Room With a View” and walking for EGONlab, Thom Browne, Hermès, and many more for the current season.
Malick Bodian
He is probably one of the most-seen faces during Fall 2023’s runways. Malick Bodian was also the first choice of Dior, Givenchy, Valentino, and more when it comes to their campaigns and the first-ever black model to walk in Givenchy Couture show in 2020.In addition to his modeling career, Malick is also an avid photographer. He started experimenting with photography by taking pictures of himself and his friends during travels and in their daily lives. One of his notable works was photographing Grace Wales Bonner’s Spring 2022 collection. Since then, he has contributed editorial work to various fashion magazines, showcasing his skills behind the camera.
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