What is the BoF 500?
No other industry has a cast of characters as passionate, diverse and interesting as those who influence and animate the business of fashion, from business titans and daring young designers to power princesses and discreet behind-the-scenes catalysts, in cities from New York to Paris to Beijing and beyond.
The BoF 500 is a live, visual index of these talented shapers of the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion and powered by social media.
Explore the BoF 500 to learn who they are, what they’re doing and how they break down, from designers to entrepreneurs to behind-the-scenes catalysts, hailing from 27 countries and representing 50 different nationalities.
Models & Muses
ARIZONA MUSE
Hailed for her relative maturity and versatility, she has starred in high profile campaigns and films for the likes of Louis Vuitton.
CARA DELEVINGNE
Hailed as the ‘next Kate Moss,’ the British model is known for her bushy brows and quirky humour, and has a massive social media following.
COCO ROCHA
Fashion’s ‘first digital model’ was spotted at an Irish dance competition and became an advocate for digital and social media.
GISELE BUNDCHEN
She led the wave of curvy Brazilian models in the early 2000 and in 2013 topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid models again for the seventh year in a row.
NAOMI CAMPBELL
One of fashion’s most recognisable faces and part of the 1990s supermodel elite, she continues to model for select projects.
DARIA WERBOWY
Though she has conflicted feelings about her profession, her elegance has won her countless editorials and ad campaigns, including for Céline.
DAVID GANDY
One of the world’s most bankable male models is recognised for his smouldering gaze, Dolce and Gabbana ads, and digital presence.
FEI FEI SUN
She was the first Chinese model to star in a Valentino advertising campaign and to cover Vogue Italia.
IMAN
The iconic Somali supermodel inspired many designers, including Yves Saint Laurent, and has her own ethnic cosmetics brand.
JOAN SMALLS
The Puerto Rican model has appeared in countless campaigns and magazines and was the first Latina face of Estée Lauder.
JOURDAN DUNN
Discovered in a west London Primark, the British model was the first black model to walk on a Prada runway in over a decade.
KARLIE KLOSS
The ex-ballerina and breakout model is favoured for her signature runway stomp, sinewy frame and her all-American appeal.
KATE MOSS
The British model is world-renowned for the gritty, ‘heroin chic’ aesthetic of the 1990s and continues to have enduring global appeal.
SUI HE
The first Asian face of Shiseido and the first to open for Ralph Lauren, campaigns for H&M and Printemps have cemented her status.
LIU WEN
The Chinese model is an established runway favourite and the first Asian model to land an Estée Lauder cosmetics campaign.
LIYA KEBEDE
After her breakout season as Tom Ford’s exclusive for Gucci in 2000, she has covered many magazines and is an ambassador for the World Health Organisation.
NATALIA VODIANOVA
Raised in poverty in her native Russia, she became one of the most in-demand models of the 2000s and is an active philanthropist.
MIRANDA KERR
The Victoria’s Secret angel was once a Balenciaga exclusive model and has evolved into a spokeswoman, streetstyle superstar and skincare entrepeneur.
Alexa Chung has been included as a model but ummm... no.
Discuss, Who should be on the list? Who shouldn't?
Check out the other categories plz, so much to absorb.
btw Karlie ain't #2 no mo oops.