Growing up, many of us natural redheads rarely saw ourselves represented in mainstream or runway fashion. Although there were redheads in fashion, like the stunning Grace Coddington who was a model in the 1950s turned Vogue fashion editor and eventually creative director, she was very rare. The lack of representation of redheads in mainstream media and runway fashion can be attributed to a variety of factors, including societal beauty standards and a preference for certain hair colors, which might have marginalized redheads. However, with growing diversity and inclusivity movements, we’re seeing more representation across the board, including for redheads.
That’s why, it wasn’t until 2019 that the first redhead became a Victoria’s Secret Angel (we’ll talk more about her later and give a sneak peek). Redhead models are still a rarity, but we’re seeing them more and more, and want to embrace that representation in the fashion world. Here are 5 redhead models who are taking fashion by storm:
1. Sara Grace Wallerstedt
Sara Grace Wallerstedt is a redhead model who has appeared in American Vogue as well as several international Vogue magazines, W Magazine, and Harper’s Bazaar. She has walked the runway for most of the big names in fashion. Her most recent cover is Vogue Singapore.
2. Tianna St. Louis
Tianna St. Louis is a redhead model with a stunning head of curls who has modeled for numerous brands including Tom Ford, Fendi, Kate Spade, Burberry, Gucci, Stella McCartney, Chanel, and more! Recently she was featured in the Moncler Digital Campaign and modeled for Retrofete.
3. Karen Elson
Karen Elson is a redhead who has been modeling for almost 30 years, getting her start at just 16. She has worked with huge fashion names and photographers around the world and has been on 30+ magazine covers. She is also an accomplished singer/songwriter. Elson was part of the March 2024 British Vogue “Legendary!” photo shoot.
4. Alexina Graham
Alexina Graham was the first redhead Victoria’s Secret Angel in 2019 after beginning her modeling career over a decade earlier. She trained in ballet as a child and endured bullying for her red hair. Graham has modeled for a ton of big names including Burberry and Jean-Paul Gaultier and founded her own fashion brand in 2022. Recently she shot for Elle Germany.
Stay tuned to Season 6 of the How to be a Redhead podcast where Alexina will be one of our premiering guests!
5. Rianne van Rompaey
Rianne van Rompaey is a Dutch-born strawberry blonde who started modeling as a high school student and had her first photoshoot in 2013 for Elle Magazine. She’s worked with Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Alexander McQueen, Prada, Hugo Boss and so many more. She’s been on at least 8 international Vogue covers and recently shot for Holiday Magazine in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.
Rock it like a Redhead!
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