By GRAZIA INTERNATIONAL

Exemplar in Style: Charting Gigi Hadid’s Complete Fashion Evolution

In celebration of the model's 29th birthday, we look back at her evolution from California Barbie to New York City designer.
PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 03: Gigi Hadid attends the Miu Miu Dinner Party at Laurent as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear S/S 2024 on October 03, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Victor Boyko/Getty Images for Miu Miu)

As one of the most successful supermodels of the last decade, Gigi Hadid has naturally also gained notoriety off the runway for her modern off-duty style.

From growing up in sunny Beverly Hills to living in Soho, NYC, Hadid’s style evolution has seen the model go from laidback California cool in denim cut-offs and athleisure to a more sophisticated twist on grunge with leather jackets, oversized shirts and low-slung jeans.

Both on the red carpet and through her street style, we’ve witnessed her come into her own with a defined sense of personal style. Even as she’s become a mother to daughter Khai and taken the design world by storm with her knitwear line, Guest In Residence—all while still dominating fashion weeks—Hadid consistently proves why she’s on everyone’s radars with her effortless knack for dressing.

Below, we take a look back at Gigi Hadid’s style from her early career to now.

2016

Gigi Hadid Zayn Malik
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 17: Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik attend the Versus Versace show during London Fashion Week Spring/Summer collections 2016/2017 on September 17, 2016 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Darren Gerrish/WireImage)

Gigi Hadid had her modelling breakthrough in 2014 after appearing in CR Fashion Book and starring in multiple Tom Ford campaigns. By 2016, she had progressed from runway to front row—here, attending the Versus Versace show at London Fashion Week, Hadid’s preference for a relaxed aesthetic shines.

2017

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Bella and Gigi Hadid arrive at the 2017 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards in New York City

Particularly early in their careers, the Hadid sisters would often attend events together, often synchronising their looks to complement (similar to the Jenner sisters).

At the Glamour Women Of The Year Awards, Gigi wore Zuhair Murad, an intricate lace gown with a modest take on the naked dress, paired with Lorraine Schwartz jewels and metallic pumps by Christian Louboutin. Meanwhile, Bella chose an asymmetrical bustier under a white suit by Cristina Ottaviano. Silver, and gold.

2018

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NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 12: Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid seen on January 12, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)

During their relationship, Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik would often coordinate. Here on a night out in New York, Hadid wore a PVC coat by Helmut Lang, and both went for Matrix-inspired eyewear.

Gigi Hadid
Gigi Hadid in NYC. Getty Images

Hadid’s off-duty style is often laid-back, but here, heading out in NYC, the model brought back the ‘party top’ (our 2010s favourite), wearing a cropped chiffon piece by Tia Adeola’s label, Slashed By Tia.

Gigi Hadid
Credit: Getty Images

For the 2018 Met Gala, ‘Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination’, Hadid wore Versace—a glittering, angelic creation by Donatella Versace. Hadid hinted at her choice earlier in the day, sharing a personal note from Versace on Instagram. “Gigi, can’t wait to see you at the Met. Enjoy another robe for the collection,” the note read.

The gown was inspired by stained glass window designs of churches.

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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 11: Gigi Hadid seen on the streets of Manhattan on December 11, 2018 in New York City.

This tangerine look (is it red? Is it orange?) worn out in New York by Hadid in 2018 is reflective of the model’s street style across the year—dipping her toe into trends without necessarily committing to any as a signature.

Here, she dabbled with monochromatic dressing in a silk top, velvet and lace bell bottoms, and a long-line leather jacket.

Gigi Hadid
Credit: Getty

Out in Paris, Hadid chose a Fendi dress teamed with the fashion house’s popular cream cowboy boots.

2019

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 22: Gigi Hadid attends her 24th Birthday at L’Avenue in Midtown on April 22, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)

For her 24th birthday party, Gigi Hadid chose a denim theme—what else, given her love for the material in her downtime? While sister Bella went for a full Canadian tuxedo look, Hadid just popped on her favourite distressed jeans, some Doc Martens, and a lived-in jacket. Effortless style, personified.

Gigi Hadid
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 07: Bella Hadid (L) and Gigi Hadid attend Marc Jacobs and Char DeFrancesco’s wedding reception at The Grill in Midtown on April 07, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)

Attending the wedding reception of Marc Jacobs and Char DeFrancesco, Bella and Gigi Hadid were snapped in suits. Hadid went for olive plaid, paired with a filmy sheer silver top and Youssef Lahlou hat, while Bella chose a black corset and suit pants.

Gigi Hadid
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 06: Gigi Hadid and Michael Kors attend The 2019 Met Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 06, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Hadid’s outfit for the 2019 Met Gala ‘Camp: Notes On Fashion’ was a Michael Kors creation that may be her best for the event yet. A sequinned, fitted jumpsuit with matching platform boots was paired with a floor-length coat with graduated feathering and a matching headpiece and silver lashes that perfected the look (even if they seemed wildly uncomfortable to wear).

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NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 09: Gigi Hadid seen out celebrating Bella’s Birthday on October 9, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Robert Kamau/GC Images)

For Bella Hadid’s birthday, Gigi cut a very casual figure in a Wesley tie-dye tracksuit and Reebok sneakers. The birthday was low-key, hence the athleisure—the sisters were joined by Dua Lipa and other friends for a painting class.

Gigi Hadid Virgil Abloh
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 03: Gigi Hadid (L) and Virgil Abloh attend the 2019 CFDA Fashion Awards at the Brooklyn Museum of Art on June 03, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Stewart/WireImage)

For a complete 180 on the above look, Hadid attended the CFDA Fashion Awards and posed with Virgil Abloh, wearing, of course, Louis Vuitton.

2020

Gigi Hadid Zayn Malik
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 11: Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik show PDA after leaving a restaurant in NoHo celebrating a birthday on January 11, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Robert Kamau/GC Images)

Out on a dinner date in New York, Hadid wore an olive suit by Russian label Lesyanebo over a Wolford bodysuit, teamed again with Reeboks.

Gigi Hadid
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 19: Gigi Hadid is seen in SoHo on December 19, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Raymond Hall/GC Images)

Heading out with daughter Khai in New York, Hadid wore a down-filled cashmere overcoat by Thom Browne, jeans, Doc Martens, and a Louis Vuitton sheepskin hat.

2021

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 11: Gigi Hadid is seen in Chelsea on January 11, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)

Hadid’s early motherhood style was practical but elevated—here, she paired Nike sneakers and a Wardrobe.NYC puffer jacket and tights out for a walk.

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 13: Gigi Hadid attends The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by John Shearer/WireImage)

For the 2021 Met Gala, ‘In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion,’ Hadid channelled Jessica Rabbit with a high ponytail Ariana Grande would be jealous of, a strapless pearly-white Prada gown, and leather opera gloves.

2022

Gigi Hadid
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 23: Gigi Hadid arrives at her 27th birthday party at Zero Bondon April 23, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)

Gigi Hadid celebrated her 27th birthday party in a Dion Lee corset top, coat and trousers, finished with Jacquie Aiche pearls and white pumps. The party was a big affair, with Bella Hadid, Blake Lively, Emily Ratajkowski, Martha Hunt and Helena Christensen all attending.

Gigi Hadid
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 02: Gigi Hadid attends The 2022 Met Gala Celebrating “In America: An Anthology of Fashion” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images)

For the 2022 Met Gala ‘In America: An Anthology Of Fashion’, Hadid wore a jaw-dropping creation by Versace, featuring a red latex jumpsuit and corset and an enormous quilted coat.

Gigi Hadid
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 20: Gigi Hadid seen attending Vogue x Self Portrait – party at Chiltern Firehouse on July 20, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Ricky Vigil M/GC Images)

For the Vogue x Self Portrait party in London, Hadid wore a lime green, sequinned midi dress by the fashion label, paired with a matching bag and Y2K topknot.

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Gigi Hadid is seen in Manhattan on September 06, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Robert Kamau/GC Images)

Gigi Hadid dabbled in Barbiecore at the launch of her knitwear label, Guest In Residence. Teaming a pink shirt with a silver corset and wide-leg cream denim, Hadid added a hot pink Miu Miu Wander bag and point-toe pumps.

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MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 22: Gigi Hadid is seen during Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2023 on September 22, 2022 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Arnold Jerocki/GC Images)

Naturally, Gigi Hadid repped her own label, Guest In Residence, for Milan Fashion Week in 2022, having recently launched the brand. Here, she chose a brown boilersuit styled with sneakers and aviators.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 09: Gigi Hadid is seen attending Bella Hadid’s birthday party at Lucali’s on October 09, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)

Attending Bella Hadid’s birthday in 2022, Gigi Hadid wore a cropped black turtleneck with a denim and tie-dye maxi skirt and longline leather blazer.

Gigi Hadid
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Gigi Hadid is seen visiting the popup store for her label ‘Guest In Residence’ on December 09, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)

Visiting her label’s pop-up store in New York, Hadid wore a knitted cardigan under a Worn Vintage leather jacket. A black denim maxi skirt and brown leather cowboy-style boots completed the look, but the real standout? Her mermaid curls were pinned back with a 90s claw clip.

2023

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 27: Gigi Hadid i seen outside the”Today Show” on February 27, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Raymond Hall/GC Images )

Promoting her show Next In Fashion, Hadid stepped out to appear on The Today Show, wearing a Brandon Maxwell short suit.

NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 27: Gigi Hadid is seen arriving at the ‘Good Morning America’ show on February 27, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

That same morning, Hadid wore A Valentino knit top and gloves paired with a thigh-split pencil skirt and red pumps.

Gigi Hadid
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 28: Gigi Hadid is seen on February 28, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by MediaPunch/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

It was a big 48 hours for the model. The next day, Gigi Hadid wore a monochromatic all-white ensemble with ballet flats, opaque tights, and the softest coat we’ve ever seen, all by Berlin-based brand Malaikaraiss.

Gigi Hadid at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party held at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 12, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Alberto Rodriguez/Variety via Getty Images)

For her first Vanity Fair Oscar Party since 2015, Hadid made a big impact in Zac Posen.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 01: Gigi Hadid attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld)

A Met Gala red carpet regular, Hadid attended last year’s gala in a sheer Givenchy look that featured a cut-out corset and cascading train. As a homage to her friend and the night’s honoree, Karl Lagerfeld, she finished off the look with layered pearls, a signature of the late designer.

CANNES, FRANCE – MAY 21: Gigi Hadid attends the “Firebrand (Le Jeu De La Reine)” red carpet during the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 21, 2023 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)

At the 76th annual Cannes Film Festival, she leaned into the glamour that the event usually calls for with a structured taupe strapless gown by Zac Posen. But don’t let the muted palette fool you, as Hadid was swathed in Messika jewellery.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 06: Gigi Hadid is seen in NoHo on July 06, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)

Hadid made headlines for this look, as many used her outfit as proof that the Capri pants were making a comeback. Though the jury’s still out, it’s impossible to deny that the model makes a strong case for them.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 18: Gigi Hadid is seen walking in Soho on October 18, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Raymond Hall/GC Images)

While walking around New York City, Hadid proved she’s the ultimate advertisement for her Guest In Residence line, modelling an outfit from the brand.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 19: Gigi Hadid is seen at the opening of her new store Guest in Residence on October 17, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jackson Lee/GC Images)

For the opening of her NYC Guest In Residence store, Hadid looked chic and cosy in a cashmere knit sweater from her brand, styled with a leather pencil skirt and knee-high boots.

2024

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 14: Gigi Hadid is seen on March 14, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Raymond Hall/GC Images)

2024 has been a relatively low-key year for Hadid as far as red carpets go—perhaps she’s focusing on her new romance with Bradley Cooper instead. But on March 14, she debuted a major transformation with a fresh chop.

This story originally appeared on GRAZIA International.