Role model

The days when models solely played a visual role in the fashion world are gone. The boundaries have expanded, and now icons of beauty play a significant social role globally. We have made a list of 8 models who are role models both in terms of external and internal beauty.

Christy Turlington

This 90s icon is known as one of the most beautiful women of the 20th century, but Christy Turlington’s achievements go beyond her looks. In 1992, she launched an advertising campaign with PETA, an organization that fights for animal rights. Later, after experiencing complications during childbirth, she founded the charity Every Mother Counts, which works to reduce deaths related to childbirth and pregnancy.

Doutzen Kroes

The Dutch supermodel and Victoria’s Secret Angel support the animal protection project in Africa called “Knot on My Planet.” She also sponsors Dance4life, a project that promotes a healthy lifestyle for young people and educates them on HIV prevention.

Karlie Kloss

Beloved by runways and glossy magazines, Karlie Kloss started her career with a charity show in her hometown, which led to her being noticed and invited to New York Fashion Week. In addition to a charity fair with Natalia Vodianova, Karlie founded a summer camp for girls who want to learn to code called “Kode with Klossy.” 

After becoming a mother, she established the birthFUND to help mothers in difficult situations. 

Toni Garrn

The German supermodel Toni Garrn is known not only for her career and personal life but also for her significant role in charity. By founding the Toni Garrn Foundation, the model helps promote and improve education for girls in Africa.

Adwoa Aboah

The vibrant model with Anglo-African roots, Adwoa Aboah, struggled with drug addiction and mental health issues from a young age. She then decided to start the charity initiative Gurls Talk, where girls could talk about mental health issues, addiction, or discrimination. What began as an online platform soon grew into offline meetings and lectures supported by the model’s star friends.

Liya Kebede

The Ethiopian supermodel Liya Kebede makes a significant contribution to her home country with her charitable efforts. By founding the Lemlem Foundation, Liya helps reduce child and maternal mortality during childbirth. Due to the significantly different conditions in Ethiopia compared to Western and European countries, and the lack of proper medical care for young mothers, childbirth often leads to high mortality rates from infection or complications.

Gisele Bündchen

The Brazilian Gisele Bündchen is known not only as a supermodel and advocate of natural beauty but also as a philanthropist. Besides working with organizations like Save the Children and the Red Cross, Gisele is a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN. As an ambassador, she organized the planting of thousands of trees to stop deforestation in Brazil. To encourage future generations to care for the planet, Gisele also gives lectures on climate change in schools.

Naomi Campbell

The “Black Panther” of the fashion world uses her fame to help the world through numerous charitable acts. In the late 90s, Naomi wrote the book “Swan,” with proceeds from its sales going to the Red Cross in Somalia. Naomi hasn’t stopped there; she constantly helps raise funds for building schools and kindergartens in poor countries, collaborates with the Dalai Lama, and hosts numerous charity events. Moreover, Naomi is an ambassador for Queen Elizabeth II’s charity, The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust.