Gigi Hadid is an American supermodel who, alongside sister Bella, helped define 2010s-2020s fashion and social media modeling. The hashtag documents her rise from reality TV background to Victoria’s Secret Angel to high fashion icon.
Career Trajectory
Early Years:
- Child model (Baby Guess, 1997)
- Real Housewives of Beverly Hills connection (mother Yolanda Hadid)
- Signed with IMG Models (2013)
Breakthrough (2014-2016):
- Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue debut (2014)
- Tom Ford F/W 2014 runway
- Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show debut (2015)
- Named Angel (2016)
Supermodel Status (2016+):
- International Vogue covers (30+)
- Major campaigns: Versace, Fendi, Moschino, Tommy Hilfiger, Maybelline
- Model of the Year awards
Social Media Influence
Gigi pioneered the “Insta-model” era:
- 80+ million Instagram followers
- Brand partnerships worth millions
- Behind-the-scenes runway content
- Personal life documentation (motherhood, relationships)
Her relatability (compared to inaccessible 90s supermodels) made her brand-friendly and controversial.
Bella Hadid Partnership
The sisters became a package deal:
- Appeared in campaigns together
- Street style photographed in tandem
- Competitive yet supportive dynamic
- Different aesthetics (Gigi: all-American, Bella: edgy international)
Design Ventures
Tommy Hilfiger Collaborations (2016-2018):
- Designed capsule collections
- Runway shows combined model and designer roles
- “See now, buy now” format
Guest in Residence (2022):
- Cashmere knitwear brand
- Shift from modeling to design
Controversies
- Nepotism debates: Reality TV/wealthy background vs. “true” modeling talent
- Cultural appropriation: Vogue Italia “blackface” controversy (2018)
- Palestine activism: Pro-Palestine posts, family heritage (Palestinian father)
- Body comments: Lyme disease affecting appearance, public commentary
Motherhood & Privacy Shift
After daughter Khai (2020, with Zayn Malik), Gigi:
- Reduced public exposure
- Advocates for children’s privacy
- Selective about projects
- More mature, refined image
Fashion Impact
Gigi helped normalize:
- Models with non-traditional runway bodies (curves, athletic build)
- Social media as modeling portfolio
- Celebrity families in fashion
- Models as entrepreneurs and designers
Cooking & Personal Brand
Beyond modeling:
- Viral pasta recipes (#GigiHadidPasta)
- Cooking content on social media
- Relatable “normal” activities alongside luxury life
The hashtag captures both fashion content and parasocial relationship between model and fans.