Top Bikini Models of All Time

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Interested in becoming a bikini model? Before we dive into the skills required, let’s take a look at the top bikini models of all time!

Emily Ratajkowski

Emily is a seriously famous face – you will likely have seen her on billboards and in magazines, or in films including Gone Girl and We Are Your Friends. Or perhaps you saw her in music videos for artists including Robin Thicke and Maroon 5. Emily is well-known for having an incredible body, and she regularly uses it in bikini modelling images for top brands around the world. Emily says her body comes down to having good genes; she hates the gym and prefers exercises like yoga and hiking. She also firmly believes everything in proportion is the healthiest way to be; she’s a big fan of meat and carbs, proving you don’t have to cut anything out to have a great figure!

Sommer Ray

Sommer Ray is a well-known Instagram model with over 26 million followers and over 2.5 million subscribers on her YouTube channel. She’s well-known for her fitness content, which has earned her the nickname “fittest girl on Instagram”.

Gigi Hadid

Gigi Hadid is an American fashion model and television personality. She was signed to IMG Models in 2013. In November 2014, she made her debut in the Top 50 Models ranking at Models.com. She has since walked for designers including Marc Jacobs, Chanel, Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger, Moschino, Alberta Ferretti, Versace, Diane von Fürstenberg, and Elie Saab.

Chanel Iman

Chanel Iman is a model, actress and entrepreneur. She is best known for her work with Victoria’s Secret, and has also appeared in campaigns for Adidas, DKNY, Gap, and others. Iman is the co-founder of a modelling agency and a line of cosmetics.

Kate Upton

Kate Upton is a plus-size model and actress. Upton began her modelling career in 2010, and has since appeared in magazines such as ‘Sports Illustrated’ and ‘Vogue.’ Upton has also starred in films such as ‘The Other Woman’ and ‘The Layover.’

Elle Macpherson

Elle Macpherson is an Australian supermodel and businesswoman. She is known as “The Body” because of her extremely toned figure and long legs. She has appeared on the cover of more than 500 magazines and has her own line of lingerie. Macpherson is also a successful entrepreneur, with businesses in real estate, fashion, health and wellness.

Tyra Banks

Tyra Banks is an American model, television personality, producer, businesswoman, author and occasional actress. She first became famous as a model in the early 1990s, appearing in magazines such as Sports Illustrated, Vanity Fair, and Elle.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham is a plus-size model who’s been making waves in the fashion industry in recent years. She’s been featured in magazines like Vogue and Sports Illustrated, and she’s even been on the cover of Elle Quebec. Graham is known for her curves, and she’s been a major advocate for body positivity. She’s been outspoken about the need for more diversity in the fashion industry, and she’s helped to change the way that plus-size women are portrayed in the media.

Do You Want to Become a Bikini Model?

There are a lot of things to think about if you want to become a bikini model. You need to be able to pose well, have a good sense of fashion, and be able to market yourself. You also need to be able to stay in shape year-round and have a good head on your shoulders. You’ll need to be business-savvy and tenacious if you want to succeed in the world of modelling.

So what does it take to be a bikini model?

What it Takes to Become a Bikini Model

Experience

As with every industry, you’re more likely to get noticed if you already have some experience under your belt. This can be difficult to gain, so many models start out by entering competitions, or doing some photoshoots for free/for freebies in exchange for some great images.

A Strong Portfolio

A model’s portfolio is their number one tool of the trade. They need a strong portfolio to showcase their experience and range as a model. A portfolio should include some strong, natural headshots as well as some full-length body shots and some photos representing the type of modelling you wish to enter. If you want to become a bikini model, you’ll need some high-quality bikini photos in your portfolio and these will need updating regularly as you age and change.

Confidence

Naturally, a bikini model needs lots of self-confidence to do their job. Modelling with little clothing leaves you nowhere to hide; you’ll have complete strangers applying body make-up and watching you pose, which can leave even confident people feeling on edge.

A Great Physique

The main thing a bikini model needs is a good physique. That will require a strict diet and workout routine year-round; you will need to say fit during all seasons of the year. Many bikini models are naturally gifted genetically, so find it fairly easy to maintain their figures. Those with a more ectomorphic body type (apple-shaped and more inclined to keep hold of fat) may struggle; many top models hire top nutritionists and personal trainers to help keep them in shape.

Getting Noticed

Self-marketing will do wonders for your career. Having a recognisable face will give you the power to influence, and this alone is enough to make you interesting to brands. A blog or social media platforms such as Instagram or TikTok are a great place to get started as, while time-consuming, they are relatively cheap and will give you the chance to build a following.

Photogenic

Every model needs to look good in front of the camera, but this is especially important for bikini models because you won’t have clothes to hide behind. You’ll need to understand your figure, how lighting affects the way you look, and how to pose/tense muscles to make the most of your assets.