Gigi Hadid Is the Top Cover Model of 2018

Anything Bella Hadid can do, Gigi Hadid can do better — or at least that’s how it came across these past 12 months as Gigi slowly climbed the ranks to be crowned the top cover model for 2018 by snatching the title from her younger sibling. It has been an incredible year for the 23-year-old model — and not just on the magazine cover front. While BFF Kendall Jenner may have trumped her peers as 2018’s highest-paid model, Gigi has undoubtedly had the most exposure. In addition to scoring 11 major worldwide fashion covers, she landed the most ad campaigns for Spring 2018, booking everyone from Versace to Stuart Weitzman. Gigi also came in third for the Fall 2018 ad season. To celebrate Gigi and her achievement, we’re taking a look back at 10 times she dominated newsstands during 2018.

[ Next: Report: 2018’s Magazine Covers Were More Racially Diverse Than Ever, Size and Gender Representation More Than Doubled ]

top Model of the Year: Gigi Hadid

Vogue Germany January 2018 by Patrick Demarchelier

Starting 2018 with a bang, Gigi Hadid began to dominate the scene by dialing up the drama and giving us major 90s supermodel realness in Donatella Versace's much-coveted Gianni Versace tribute collection on the cover of Vogue Germany. Photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, Gigi appropriately donned a Vogue-adorned catsuit while posing up a storm.
British Vogue March 2018 by Steven Meisel

It didn't take Edward Enninful long to make Gigi his cover girl at British Vogue. Just three months after his debut cover, he welcomed her (along with Bella Hadid) on a pair of covers for the magazine's Spring Fashion Issue, shot by the one and only Steven Meisel. Gigi gave us glam goddess in the sultry cover photo, working a gold mesh Versace dress.
Harper's Bazaar May 2018 by Mariano Vivanco

Third time was a total charm as Gigi finally received the cover of American Harper's Bazaar she deserved, giving us good face in the flawless May cover, photographed by Mariano Vivanco. We can't blame Maybelline for having Gigi on its roster of brand ambassadors with such a face!
Vogue Japan June 2018 by Luigi & Iango

Maybe not considered Gigi's finest moment on the newsstand this year (at least according to our forum members), but it was Vogue Japan who invited Gigi back for the third time. She, once again, found herself before the lens of photographic duo Luigi & Iango. Gigi gave off subtle femme fatale vibes in the stark image with slicked-back hair, a bold red lip and a black leather Celine coat worn off the shoulder.
Vogue Italia May 2018 by Steven Klein

Perhaps a moment Gigi wishes to forget and now regrets was her appearance on the cover of Vogue Italia May 2018. In the questionable cover image captured by Steven Klein, Gigi straddled a male model wearing a glitzy Dolce & Gabbana getup, looking absolutely nothing like her usual with a darkened skin tone. The cover was immediately hit with criticism not only on our forums, but in headlines around the world.
Vogue Australia July 2018 by Giampaolo Sgura

Putting the controversy of Italian Vogue behind her, Gigi ventured down under for the cover of Vogue Australia. Captured by Giampaolo Sgura with Christine Centenera on styling duties, Gigi did her best to model her way through an OTT Calvin Klein look.
V Magazine #114 Fall Preview by Mario Sorrenti

Gigi took us out of the studio for V Magazine's Fall Preview edition. The mag dropped a trio of adventurous covers, photographed by Mario Sorrenti and styled by George Cortina, that made us want to try some extreme sports.
CR Fashion Book Issue 13 Fall 2018 by Pieter Hugo

It was way back in 2014 that Carine Roitfeld put Gigi on the cover of CR Fashion Book and at every opportunity, Gigi credits the editor for her success. This year, Gigi appeared on the magazine's cover for the fourth time to bring awareness to UNICEF USA. Photographed by Pieter Hugo and styled by Roitfeld, Gigi and Halima Aden posed on two covers wearing oversized Calvin Klein coats worn over UNICEF T-shirts.
Vogue Brazil September 2018 by Luigi & Iango

Gigi was soon back before the lens of Luigi & Iango for the cover of Vogue Brazil's all-important September issue. She took us back to the 60s with a bouffant hairstyle, winged eyeliner and neon Prada.
W Volume #8 by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott

W made sure Gigi closed out 2018 with a bang by having her front the holiday issue. Not just any old cover shot, Gigi channeled Debbie Harry for the occasion, captured by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. In the dark and moody cover image, Gigi was the spitting image of the legendary Blondie singer, working platinum blond locks, a smoky eye and a little black sequined Saint Laurent dress.