Much like our class-driven society, there is a caste of models. First, there are the certified supers like Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington Burns, Gisele Bündchen and Kate Moss (frankly, we could’ve just used first names here and you would’ve been hip). Up next are Victoria’s Secret Angels, including Alessandra Ambrosio and Adriana Lima. Then we have the class of Instagirls led by Kendall Jenner, Gigi and Bella Hadid, Hailey Baldwin, etc. But one of the categories we’re most excited for is the one featuring lesser-known models.
You’ve probably seen a few of these faces up on the runway or peppered on the pages of your favorite glossy, but odds are you haven’t stalked them on Instagram yet. From Grace Mahary’s uplifting account full of fashion inspo to Fabienne Dobbe’s fiery posts and Cara Taylor’s life lessons on sports and chocolate, you don’t know what you’re missing if you’ve missed following these Instagram models on the rise. If you’re looking to expand your Instagram game, check out the 17 under-the-radar models you should be keeping tabs on.
[ Next: 11 Real Girl Models (aka Nodels) Who’ll Revive Your Instagram Feed ]
Lesser-Known Models
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Grace Mahary
Eritrean-Canadian model and activist Grace Mahary has been in the industry for several years now, but she’s not as high-profile as some of her colleagues. She already has 106,000 followers, but with an Instagram full of funky fashion, inspirational mantras and epic travel vistas, we think that tally deserves to be higher.
Image: @gracemahary
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Fabienne Dobbe
As if you need any more motivation to cruise the racks at Zara, Netherlands native Fabienne Dobbe was actually scouted at the fast-fashion mecca. The freckled model just walked in Gucci’s Cruise 2018 show and she’s quickly become our favorite redhead, especially with an Insta that lets followers tag along on her trips around the globe, go behind the scenes at fashion shows and get a glimpse of her spunky personality.
Image: @fabiennedobbe
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Moira Berntz
Originally from Argentina, Moira Berntz was actually discovered on Facebook and is hoping to continue her psychology studies after she gets through with modeling. Her studies may have to wait a long while, though, because she’s already become a Chanel darling, walking in both the Fall 2017 show and the recent Cruise 2018 presentation. Though her captions aren’t always in English, her stylized pics speak volumes.
Image: @moiraberntz
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Emm Arruda
The Canadian model made our top 12 list for Fashion Month Fall 2017, but we still want more. Luckily, Emm Arruda’s Instagram is full of personal pics (including her before and after undergoing spinal surgery to correct scoliosis), runway/editorial shots just in case you missed any and #OOTD inspo for girls with an edge.
Image: @emm_arruda
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Nora Attal
British/Moroccan beauty Nora Attal was discovered by designer Jonathan Anderson, just one of his many triumphs in the fashion industry. Her chill Insta has us wishing we could tag along on her many adventures and perhaps borrow her Dior feminist tee.
Image: @noraattal
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Sohyun Jung
Sohyun Jung is the epitome of short hair, don’t care. With her stylish crop (which was cropped even shorter for Alexander Wang’s Fall 2017 show), the Instagram model has us fanning out over her on- and off-duty looks.
Image: @cochon_j
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Tina Kunakey
French model Tina Kunakey is no stranger to editorials, but a lot of us are getting to know the 20-year-old through her street style game, her appearance in an A$AP Rocky video and her recent turn at the Cannes International Film Festival. Her Insta is guaranteed to give you a perennial case of FOMO.
Image: @tinakunakey
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Luisana González
Joining the ranks of lovely ladies from the Dominican Republic, Luisana González is responsible for instigating some serious curl envy. According to a Vogue profile, she helps keep her mane tight with “secret homemade recipes that my grandmother taught me, like avocado with olive oil and coconut.” She’s also a big fan of architecture and design, which you can clearly see if you’re one of her almost 8,600 followers.
Image: @luisana_gonzalez24
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Cara Taylor
Alabama native Cara Taylor was pretty focused on being a jock in high school (she even wanted to go to the Olympics or play college volleyball), but things took a turn when she was contacted by an agency through Instagram. She didn’t even really learn to walk in heels until her first show (Alexander Wang’s Spring 2017 presentation). Check out her account for spontaneous toe touches, gorgeous up-close shots and her philosophies on life (“chocolate comes from cocoa, which is from a tree that makes it a plant. therefore, chocolate is salad”).
Image: @cara_taylorrr
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Aleece Wilson
With a handle like @oddfreckles, you know you’re in for a treat. Hailing from Windsor, Ontario, Aleece Wilson never really thought she was pretty enough to be a model. But with a Fall 2017 set list that included Fenty x Puma, Maison Margiela and Marc Jacobs, she’s steadily becoming one to watch. The Twilight Zone and anime fan’s Instagram is pretty unique boasting fan art, selfies and striking editorials.
Image: @oddfreckles
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Aira Ferreira
Aira Ferreira is cleaning up during this resort season. The Brazilian model walked for Valentino, Dior and Prada. A tomboy at heart who fangirls over Harry Potter and Taylor Swift, her Insta is just as eclectic dotted with everything from her runway and editorial work to personal snapshots and scenic shots of her model travels.
Image: @airafn_
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Yoon Young Bae
South Korea stunner Yoon Young Bae just walked the Dior and Chanel Cruise 2018 shows. Her 47,800-strong Instagram is brimming with street style and runway shots, but we’re equally enamored with her pup’s account.
Image: @mulan_bae
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Milena Litvinovskaya
Milena Litvinovskaya was pretty busy last season, hitting the runway 23 times for Fall 2017. You can rely on the on-the-rise Russian model for hoodie styling inspo plus ways to rock vintage jackets, classic Breton tops and graphic tees.
Image: @milena_litvinovskaya
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Lark Huska
If you’ve been following the recent resort season, you’ll probably recognize Toronto newcomer Lark Huska. Not only did she hit the catwalk for Dior in Los Angeles, but she went on to close the Valentino show in New York. As it stands, Lark only has 1,416 followers, so look at this as your opportunity to get in on the ground floor of this Shakespeare and art lover’s Instagram model legacy.
Image: @larkhuska
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Luna Bijl
Luna Bijl’s brought back the 80s for Vogue Paris, enjoyed all the frills of being in a Chloe Spring 2017 advert and posed on a dirt bike for WSJ. Magazine’s March 2017 cover (she’s a big fan of motocross/quadcross). The versatile Dutch model’s Insta is just as ambitious and adventurous.
Image: @mxlunaa
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Wallette Watson
Raleigh, North Carolina’s own Wallette Watson represented in both the Spring 2017 campaigns for Prada and Coach 1941, but this well-rounded model also has a passion for singing and is classically trained in ballet. From stunning editorials to a shot of her kindergarten graduation, this Instagram model's account always makes us smile.
Image: @wallettewatson
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Ashanti Hildreth
From bride to bobby socks, Ashanti Hildreth went from walking for the Oscar de la Renta Bridal Spring 2018 show to taking the resort route for Valentino. We’re expecting big things from the Texan and in the meantime, you can keep tabs on her via her stylish Insta where she still credits/tags all the people behind the lens.
Image: @iamashantinicole
