Before she was recognized globally, Kelsey Merritt started her modeling career at the young age of 15 in Manila, Philippines. Like most teenagers, she felt insecure about several aspects of her life. However, she was able to power through those insecurities and pursue her passion for modeling in full force. At 17 years old, Kelsey’s headshots on Instagram caught the attention of international model agent, Roman Young, who invited her to New York to try her hand at modeling in one of the fashion capitals of the world.

The way Kelsey jumped into the action was nothing less than a dream. Before she knew it, she had amassed a stunning portfolio that included work for renowned fashion powerhouses like Maybelline, Vera Wang, Uniqlo, H&M, and Harper's Bazaar, to name a few. She could also be easily seen on the pages of publications like L'Officiel, Harper's Bazaar, Seventeen, and the New York Post.

Kelsey Merritt entered the public eye and took her career to new heights after getting this position. She boldly carried the Philippines on her back as she walked alongside industry stalwarts like Candice Swanepoel, Gigi Hadid, and Adriana Lima. As the first person of Filipino origin to ever be chosen, Kelsey Merritt received her big break in 2018, she was chosen to walk in the Victoria's Secret fashion show.

Born: 1996
Nationality: Filipino-American
Instagram: @kelseymerritt

Miss Universe runner-up in 2012 Janine Tugonon ditched her title for the runway only a year after finishing second in the global pageant. Tugonon began a modeling career in the United States shortly after finishing first runner-up to American beauty queen Olivia Culpo in Miss Universe. Her New York career took off when she signed on as a Victoria's Secret model in 2016, and she appeared in the brand's PINK video campaign.

Janine Tugonon made history in 2015 when she became the first Filipino model to appear in a Victoria's Secret advertisement. Her debut in an ad for their tiny sister line, PINK, was so radical that it received widespread acclaim: a video about her new gig received over 10 million views. Her presence in the sector was amplified by the stint, which led to features in Elle and Teen Vogue. Janine has posed for companies such as Ralph Lauren, Sherri Hill, Shiseido, and Puma, in addition to walking the runway during New York Fashion Week in 2017.

Janine Tugonon was named one of the faces of tennis great Venus Williams' sportswear collection in 2019. She also appeared as a muse in Miss Universe sponsor Sherri Hill's New York Fashion Week show, where she met then-reigning title holder and fellow Filipina Catriona Gray.

Born: 1989

Nationality: Filipino

Instagram: @tugononjanine

Monika Sta. Maria is best known to fashion fans as the first runner-up in the third cycle of Asia's Next Top Model. She is also one of the most famous fashion models from The Philippines. Santa Maria was featured in Metro, Mega, and Circuit magazines prior to her appearance on the third season of Asia's Next Top Model, and she won Century Superbod in 2012. Her initial audition was in the second season, but she was turned down. She finally got in when she auditioned again for the competition's third season, becoming one of the 14 contestants. Sta. Maria is the Philippines' third runner-up in a row, following Stephanie Retuya and Jodilly Pendre.

She signed with Mercator Manila, handled by Jonas Gaffud, in 2017. She appeared in the fifth season of Asia's Next Top Model in May. Monika Sta. Maria walked the runway for Manila at New York Fashion Week. The title helped her to continue her career both in the Philippines and overseas, as she appeared in advertisements for L'Oreal Paris, Nivea Malaysia, and Subaru, as well as on the covers of glossy magazines such as Women's Health Malaysia, Circuit, and Speed Magazine. Along with Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, she was selected Task Master for the reality show SupermodelMe.

Born: 1991

Nationality: Filipino

Instagram: @monikastamaria

Beginning at the age of 15, Geena Rocero worked the transgender pageant circuit in the Philippines, where shows are broadcast on national television, in the late 1990s. Her victories won her money as well as fame. She claims that her unique wig design — a side bang and a flipped end — created a trend among other beauty finalists. She is considered as one of the most famous fashion models from The Philippines as well.

Geena originally signed with NEXT Model Management when she was 21 years old, before venturing into the entertainment world. Geena founded her own production company, Gender Proud, after walking the runway at New York Fashion Week and appearing in countless swimsuit and beauty editorials. She opted to "come out" during a 2014 TED lecture in order to raise awareness of the transgender community.

The ghost of "Horse Barbie" guides and buoys Geena Rocero throughout the journey. What began as a derogatory nickname from the pageant scene became a symbol for Rocero of a wild, gender-nonconforming spirit that has been part of Philippine indigenous culture for generations, even as Filipinos like us absorbed and assimilated American culture over nearly half a century of Western colonization. As a result, she is a bold, confident, and honest trans woman about who she is and what she stands for.

Born: 1983

Nationality: Filipino

Instagram: @geenarocero

Born in the United States to Filipino parents, Sharina Gutierrez has created a name for herself in the fashion business, appearing on magazine covers, campaigns, advertisements, and music videos since she was 12 years old. She was scouted for a modeling competition back then by the same organization that helped launch other Hollywood stars like Ashton Kutcher and Katie Holmes. She triumphed over thousands of other candidates, and the rest, as they say, is history.

She has collaborated with brands such as Ralph Lauren, Estee Lauder, Rimmel London, and Reebok. Her ten-year career in the industry is tough to summarize in so few words, but the Filipina-American has graced the covers of Vogue Italia, Teen Vogue, Glamour, Elle, L'Officiel Lithuania, Estee Lauder, and Preview, among others.

Sharina Gutierrez is a sound guide who helps others ascend to their higher selves and live a life of unconditional self-love in addition to her modeling career. She is also a founding member of Mama Mantra, a family brand that will launch in 2023 with the goal of encouraging parents and children to believe in themselves and break down barriers.

Born: 1990

Nationality: Filipino

Instagram: @sharinagutierrez

Hannah Locsin would be the following most famous fashion model from The Philippines in this list. Hannah Locsin struck the ground running after graduating from college and pursued her modeling goals. Hannah was a frequent working model in the Philippines, walking many a fashion show and filling her book with editorials from various newspapers.

She began her international career after dutifully completing her degree and changing up her image with the shocking and now distinctive hair chop. During her early career, the young model landed assignments at London Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week, and the Hyeres Fashion Festival.

Hannah Locsin has even posed for Vogue Italia, but it wasn't until 2019 that she finally came into her own. The Filipina debuted big at Milan Fashion Week by walking for the Gucci Spring-Summer 2020 presentation in a long-sleeved, tea-length lime dress and black leather gloves, sporting her now distinctive bowl cut. Hannah has since become a Fashion Week regular, in addition to being featured in Gucci Beauty's YouTube series, modeling for Maybelline, and fronting the cover of Vogue Japan Beauty, to name a few of her accomplishments.

Born: 1996

Nationality: Filipino

Instagram: @hannahvlocsin

Former Preview Reins, a Clique member and Filipina model, Reins Mika is still in her early stages of her profession, but she has already made an impression. Despite her initial doubts about the vocation and her potential, Mika decided to pursue the opportunity to model with the full backing of her parents. In 2021, she became the first Filipina winner of Elite Model Look, the same prestigious competition that launched the careers of Cindy Crawford and Giselle Bundchen.

Reins Mika's victory is significant because she is the only Asian in EML's Digital Creator category and the first Filipina winner in her section. Mika, who is currently represented by the Philippine Models Association of the Philippines (PMAP), has appeared in advertisements for Human, Rustan's, Bench, Dove, 0917 Lifestyle, and a few editorial works for publications. That's all about the seventh most famous fashion model from The Philippines Toplist wants to mention.

Born: 2000

Nationality: Filipino

Instagram: @reinsmika

Several models are on their way to success in the modeling profession. Charlene Almarvez is a well-known model and Instagram star who is well on her way to stardom. Charlene Almarvez, a model born in Laguna, Philippines, and now residing in the United States, is still creating waves after a decade in the profession. She rose to fame after signing a modeling contract with Ford Modeling Agency. Many fashion publications have featured her in editorials, including Chinese Vogue, Teen Vogue, Glamour Italia, Wonderland Magazine, New York Times - T magazine by KT Archuleta, US Glamour, A magazine, Glamour UK, Russian edition of Ellie, and US Town.

Charlene Almarvez, has been crushing it in the modeling industry since 2010, when she finished second in the Ford Supermodel of the World competition. She has now appeared in advertisements for worldwide brands including Maybelline, Shideiso, and Shu Uemura, as well as in a Coach commercial. Her repertoire, however, does not end with modeling. Charlene put her acting skills to the test in 2019 when she appeared as a guest actor in the Kevin Bacon-starrer City on a Hill.

Born: 1993

Nationality: Filipino

Instagram: @charlenealmarvez_

Marizza Delgado is the triple threat to watch out for. She is a model, a beauty queen, and a data scientist. Delgado commuted to modeling gigs in San Francisco while residing in Santa Cruz and studying at UCSC. She claims that her time management abilities, multipotentialite mentality, and having a community on campus enabled her to stay up with her academics while also pursuing other loves.

Since winning the Miss Pacific Coast Teen USA title in 2017, she's shot for a variety of companies, including H&M, Walmart, Target, and Kohls, according to her official agency biography. She has also appeared in Seventeen Magazine, Cosmopolitan, L'Oreal advertisements, and has also graced New York Fashion Week for two seasons.

Marizza Delgado was crowned Miss New York Earth 2021, and she will now represent the state on the pageant's national stage. When she's not working on her computer, you can find her cooking vegan meals, reading, advocating cruelty-free beauty products, and obsessing about all things skincare.

Born: 1998
Nationality: Filipino

Instagram: @marizzadelgado

Charo Ronquillo would be the last most famous fashion models from The Philippines. Charo Ronquillo, a Filipina model residing in Los Angeles, has been modeling since 2006. Ronquillo entered and won the Ford Supermodel of the World Philippines 2005 Search when she was 17 years old. She went on to represent the Philippines at the Supermodel World Finals in New York City in 2006, finishing third and earning a $100,000 contract with Ford Models.

Ronquillo has walked the runways at New York Fashion Week for brands and designers such as Lacoste, Lela Rose, Nanette Lapore, Zero Maria Cornejo, Tory Burch, Antonio Berardi, Kenneth Cole, Mac Cosmetics Barbie Collection, Zaldy by Gwen Stefani, BCBG, Sisley, and Benetton since her victory. Elie Tahari debuted at New York Fashion Week F/W 2009-2010, and Julien Fournie and Eric Tibusch debuted at Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture FW 2011-2012.

On the season 2 finale of Project Runway, Charo Ronquillo was one of Chloe Dao's models. She has also appeared in editorials for Spanish Vogue, Indian Vogue, Teen Vogue, Marie Claire Paris and US, ELLE Vietnam, Cosmopolitan US, and Glamour. She's been seen in commercials for Old Navy, Macy's, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Born: 1990
Nationality: Filipino

Instagram: @charoronquillo