#MetroStyleWatch: 6 Filipina Global Models Who Have Worked With International Brands

From Kelsey Merritt to Hannah Locsin, here are the top fashion models who continue to make a name for themselves in the international fashion industry.

Carla Buyo

June 11, 2021, 07:57 PM

It’s not every day that you get to see a Filipina model pose for Bulgari Parfums, walk for LaQuan Smith, or become the face of several Gucci beauty and fashion ads but we're about to introduce you to the very women who have achieved just that. Their portfolios are considered as benchmarks for every aspiring Filipina model out there. Boasting a number of editorials, fashion campaigns, and runway shows under their belt, these models are not the type of people you should be taking lightly. Filipino representation in the global fashion arena is definitely getting better and better. We are now lucky enough to have these models to look up to and add more to the roster. If you’ve been feeling uninspired lately, just take a look at how far they’ve come and remember that if they can make it internationally, then you can too!

From Kelsey Merritt, Charlene Almarvez, to Hannah Locsin and more, we give you the top international Filipina models you need to know now. Read through their mini growth stories in the gallery down below:

Top Filipina Models

By Metro.StyleOctober 04 2024, 12:28 AM

Charlene Almarvez

Charlene’s modeling career skyrocketed after winning second at the Ford Supermodel of the World competition in 2010. Her contract under Ford Models gave her an opportunity to grace the covers of Vogue, Elle, and T Magazine. In 2019, Charlene walked for two budding fashion greats LaQuan Smith and Area by designers Beckett Fogg and Piotrek Panszczyk. A runway favorite in New York Fashion Week, Charlene continues to inspire her fellow Filipinas to conquer the fashion industry by storm!

Photo Credit: Photo from Shiseido

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Photo Credit: Photo from New York Fashion Week (Area)

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Photo Credit: Photo from New York Fashion Week (LaQuan Smith)

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Charo Ronquillo

Standing at 5’10 tall, Charo Ronquillo had an impressive start in the industry thanks to a contract she won from Ford Models. She has walked for New York Fashion Week, and Paris Fashion Week, you name it. In the span of her career, she has also modeled for classic premium brands such as Lacoste, Fossil, Tory Burch, Massimo Dutti, and Kenneth Cole. Now at 31 years old, Charo has kept things up to par with a number of swimwear and luxury bag campaigns.

Photo Credit: Photo from Massimo Dutti

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Photo Credit: Photo from New York Fashion Week

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Danica Magpantay

Although Danica was the first Filipina to ever win the Ford Supermodel of the World, she didn’t enter the fashion industry as a wide-eyed teenager. At 18, she already knows that the fashion industry is her home and she belongs here! Through the years, she has modeled for Adidas, Too Faced, Sephora, and Nordstrom.

Photo Credit: Photo from Lady Gunn

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Photo Credit: Photo from Lady Gunn

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Hannah Locsin

Hannah is still deemed as the luckiest girl alive even after years since she appeared in Alessandro Michele's Orgasmique runway show. This 24-year-old did see her Gucci runway debut coming. After the runway show, the brand has also casted her in a number of their fashion and beauty campaigns. Did we mention that she recently posed for Balenciaga as well?

Photo Credit: Photo from Gucci

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Photo Credit: Photo from Gucci

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Photo Credit: Photo from Balenciaga

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Janine Tugonon

As a fixture in both the pageant and fashion industry, Janine never once failed to impress us with her wins. Her Victoria's Secret PINK campaign remains as an iconic moment for us! Apart from that, Janine has also walked for several fashion shows during New York Fashion Week. From Sherri Hill, Victoria's Secret, Escada, to Calvin Klein, Janine has definitely made a mark in our hearts!

Photo Credit: Photo from New York Fashion Week

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Photo Credit: Photo from Victoria's Secret

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Kelsey Merritt

Kelsey can easily give girls like Kendall and Bella make a run for their money. As the first Filipina to ever walk the Victoria's Secret runway show and to model for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, Kelsey is headed to ultimate fashion icon status and she's not stopping anytime soon. In fact, Kelsey just bagged herself a partnership with Bulgari Parfums! We just know that this won't be the last time we will be seeing her with a luxury brand.

Photo Credit: Photo from SI Swimsuit

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