Even the most successful male models don't enjoy the same 'super' status as their female counterparts, but their faces are still instantly recognisable around the world – whether on magazine covers or in the latest fragrance campaigns. Major brands like Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren have propelled the likes of Tyson Beckford and Lucky Blue Smith into the spotlight. And it’s a lucrative business (although there’s still a gender pay gap in modelling - in favour of women), with Gandy reportedly earning close to £4million a year thanks to his deals with Dolce & Gabbana and Marks & Spencer.
With the menswear shows underway, Vogue takes a look at the male models who have dominated the runways over the years.
Named Forbes’ highest-paid male model in the world in 2013, Sean O’Pry, who hails from Georgia, US, has starred in countless top campaigns over the past decade, for brands including Calvin Klein and Armani.
Lundqvist got his big break in the 1990s, when he starred alongside Helena Christensen in Versace’s AW97 campaign. The Swedish model has also been tapped by Guess and Hugo Boss.Read more: 9 Of The Hardest Working Male Models This Season
Gandy became one of the most famous male models in the world after being chosen as the face of Dolce & Gabbana’s Light Blue fragrance in 2006, before going on to front campaigns for - and even design for - Marks & Spencer.
Now aged 50, Dutch model Mark Vanderloo is a veteran of the industry, having fallen into it by accident when he was scouted while accompanying his model girlfriend to a photo shoot back in the 1990s. He's now renowned for his Hugo Boss campaigns.
Having made his name as the face of Ralph Lauren’s Polo line in the 1990s, Tyson Beckford successfully forged a career in showbiz. As well as venturing into acting, he went on to host the TV show Make Me A Supermodel.
In 2011, Taiwanese-Canadian model Godfrey Gao made history as the first Asian male to front a Louis Vuitton menswear campaign. He's since gone on to star in Chinese-language TV shows and films.
Read more: 5 Styling Tips To Take From Prada's AW19 Menswear Collection
Baby-faced Evandro Soldati has his mother to thank for his career, after she entered her then 17-year-old son into a modelling contest in his native Brazil back in 2002. As well as starring in major ads for Armani and Narciso Rodriguez, he also appeared in Lady Gaga’s music video for her hit "Alejandro" in 2010.
With his trademark long locks, 50-year-old Swedish model Marcus Schenkenberg is best known for his 1990s Calvin Klein adverts, as well as high-profile campaigns for Versace and Armani.
Kortajarena was only 18 when he became the face of Just Cavalli in 2004. Since then, the Spanish model has starred in countless campaigns – Valentino, Giorgio Armani, Chanel, Hugo Boss among them – as well as landing a role in Tom Ford’s 2009 film A Single Man.
After being scouted at the age of just 10, and modelling for Saint Laurent at 12, Utah-born, LA-based Lucky Blue Smith has soared to fame in recent years. Now aged 20 – with a 3.2 million-strong Instagram following – he’s a regular on the runways and in the FROW, working with everyone from Tom Ford, to Tommy Hilfiger, Balmain and Calvin Klein.
