Gigi Hadid

Gigi Hadid – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Discover the life, career, and inspiring quotes of Gigi Hadid — from her early years as a child model to her rise as a global fashion icon. Learn lessons from her journey, explore her personality, and see what makes her a role model today.

Introduction

Jelena Noura “Gigi” Hadid is one of the most recognizable faces in fashion today. Born on April 23, 1995, in Los Angeles, she has grown from a child model into a multi-faceted personality: supermodel, brand collaborator, media figure, and mother. Her journey is marked by persistence, self-reflection, and a desire to remain authentic in a world obsessed with perfection. Through her words and actions, Gigi has become more than a runway name — she’s a symbol of confidence, balance, and evolution.

Early Life and Family

Gigi Hadid was born into a creative and cosmopolitan family. Her father, Mohamed Hadid, is a real estate developer of Palestinian-American descent, and her mother, Yolanda Hadid (née van den Herik), is a Dutch-American former model.

She has two younger siblings, Bella and Anwar, both of whom also became models, as well as two older paternal half-sisters, Marielle and Alana.

Gigi spent her early years on a ranch in Santa Barbara, California. When she was around ten, her family moved to Beverly Hills.

Growing up, she was exposed to photography through her mother’s passion — she often remarked that she was “always in front of the camera.”

This family environment — combining entrepreneurial drive, modeling experience, and creative influence — set a foundation for her future.

Youth and Education

During her school years in Malibu, Gigi excelled not only in modeling but also in athletics. She captained her school’s volleyball team, and she competed in equestrian sports (horseback riding) as well.

At the same time, she modeled occasionally as a child — for instance, in “Baby Guess” campaigns — but she largely stepped back from modeling during her elementary through high school years to focus on academics and sports.

After high school, she enrolled at The New School in New York to study criminal psychology, though she later suspended her formal studies to pursue her modeling career full-time.

Her time in New York not only exposed her to the fashion world but also pushed her to balance intellectual curiosity with creative ambition.

Career and Achievements

Modeling Breakthroughs

Gigi officially signed with IMG Models in 2013, cementing her entry into high fashion. She made her New York Fashion Week debut in 2014.

Over the years she walked for top designers including Versace, Chanel, Fendi, Marc Jacobs, Balmain, and more. In 2016, she became the global brand ambassador for Tommy Hilfiger and starred in multiple campaigns, including her own capsule collection “Gigi by Tommy Hilfiger.”

She also launched her own boot collection with Stuart Weitzman and became ambassador for Reebok’s #PerfectNever campaign.

Gigi has graced over 50 international Vogue covers. She was named International Model of the Year by the British Fashion Council in 2016.

By 2017 onward, she consistently ranked among the highest-paid models globally.

Beyond Modeling

While fashion remains her core domain, Gigi has diversified:

• She has appeared on television and in media, bringing her personality into more public view.

• She has explored entrepreneurial ventures, including launching her own label Guest In Residence, focusing on cashmere knitwear.

• In more recent years, she has shared interest in creative projects beyond fashion, such as auditioning for acting roles (e.g., a live-action Tangled adaptation).

Her willingness to push boundaries shows she sees her identity not just as a model, but as a creative, mother, and evolving figure.

Historical Milestones & Context

Gigi’s career aligns with a shift in the fashion industry toward models who have multidimensional public personas — not just faces, but voices. Social media allowed her to share more than her looks: her thoughts, struggles, and personality.

Her rise in the mid-2010s also happened during a time of increasing scrutiny of body image, diversity, and authenticity in the fashion world. Gigi, who openly discusses imperfections, mental health, and growth, resonated in that era.

By winning awards, starring in campaigns, and generating her own entrepreneurial identity, she widened the definition of success in modeling — encouraging newer models to be creative and business-savvy as well.

Legacy and Influence

Gigi Hadid’s influence spans multiple domains:

• Fashion & Modeling: She helped usher in a model era where personality, relatability, and platforms matter as much as physical beauty.

• Body Positivity & Realism: She often speaks about imperfections, trusting one’s body, and resisting unrealistic ideals. Her openness gives others permission to be authentic.

• Young Women & Creatives: She shows that careers can evolve. One can start in modeling and expand into design, acting, or entrepreneurship.

• Work Ethic & Humility: Many recall her saying she treats each runway, each campaign, as an opportunity to improve.

• Balance & Identity: As a mother now, she has embraced evolving identity — not just model, but parent, partner, creative. Her growth journey will be part of her enduring legacy.

Personality and Talents

Gigi is often described as goofy, earnest, and grounded. She has said:

“In real life, I’m so goofy and super weird. I’m never mean … people don’t see the weird side of me.”

She emphasizes genuine connections with people on set — from photographers to catering crews.

Athletics has long been part of her identity. She played volleyball, rode horses, and more recently has taken up boxing as both a physical and mental discipline.

Her mindset is rooted in growth: she views imperfection not as a flaw, but as a space to improve.

She also highlights the importance of consistency and integrity. She has said:

“My biggest thing about being a role model is whatever I'm preaching, I'm practicing.”

This trait — aligning one’s public persona with private behavior — reinforces her image as relatable and genuine.

Famous Quotes of Gigi Hadid

Here are selected quotes that reflect her philosophy, voice, and the lessons she shares: