Gigi Hadid delivers tearful speech as she’s named Model of the Year 2016

Fashion


Gigi Hadid delivers tearful speech as she’s named Model of the Year 2016

By Kayleigh Dray

9 years ago

Gigi Hadid is just 21 years old, but she is already one of the best known – and most admired – people in the fashion industry.

Not only has she walked catwalks wearing some seriously famous designer labels, but she has also worked hard to become a positive role model for young women everywhere, fronting an inspiring new #PerfectNever campaign with Reebok.



And, earlier this year, she fought back against a man who grabbed her without consent outside a Paris Fashion Week show. She was later accused of behaving in an “unladylike manner” – but she refused to accept the sexist criticism.

“I'm a HUMAN BEING — and had EVERY RIGHT to defend myself,” she wrote on Twitter at the time.

“How dare that idiot think he has the right to man-handle a complete stranger.”

So it should come as no surprise to hear that she has been named International Model of the Year at the 2016 Fashion Awards.

Despite keeping her cool while hosting the American Music Awards earlier this year, Hadid struggled to contain her emotion when stepping up on stage to collect her accolade.

“This is so crazy,” said Hadid. “I just want to say that I know that I'm in the generation of social media, and I'm so blessed for that. But the fashion industry is my family, and you guys are the ones that I'm here for.”

She was fighting back tears as she continued to thank each and every single one of her supporters, saying: “To Bruce [Weber] and Carine [Roitfeld], who started my career when no one else knew who I was, I can't believe that I'm sitting her with you today.

“To everyone, who has been so genuine, and looked beyond what the rest of the world looked for, that has meant so much to me.

“You guys know who I am, and that to me means so much, so thank you for inspiring me, and for teaching me to look beyond - and for being the most amazing industry I could ever ask to be a part of; you guys are a dream come true. So thank you so much.”



It’s not the first time that Hadid has addressed the fact that she is unwilling to accept anyone’s judgement of her looks; she’s actually penned several incredible essays on body image, too.

“If you just kind of embrace yourself, like, other people accept you in the same way," Hadid wrote in a piece for Daily Mail Australia. “And I think that's really cool.

“You don't always have to go with the cookie-cutter version of what people tell you you're supposed to be.”

Hadid had beaten off competition from the likes of her sister, Bella, and her best friend, Kendall Jenner, to win the title of Best Model.

But, while she saw it as a very serious honour, she still managed to inject some fun into her acceptance speech.

Cue her taking part in a mannequin challenge on stage at the Royal Albert Hall – and, yes, she even managed to get the audience involved as well.

The winners of the 2016 Fashion Awards

British emerging talent - Molly Goddard

Swarovski award for positive change - Franca Sozzani

British menswear designer - Craig Green

British womenswear designer - Simone Rocha

Isabella Blow award for fashion creator - Bruce Webber

British brand - Alexander McQueen

International business leader - Marco Bizzarri for Gucci

International urban luxury brand - Vetements

New fashion insider - Jayden Smith and Willow Smith

International model - Gigi Hadid

International accessories designer - Alessandro Michele for Gucci

International read-to-wear designer - Demna Gvasalia for Balenciaga

Outstanding achievement award - Ralph Lauren

undefined

By signing up you agree to occasionally receive offers and promotions from Stylist. Newsletters may contain online ads and content funded by carefully selected partners. Don’t worry, we’ll never share or sell your data. You can opt-out at any time. For more information read Stylist’s Privacy Policy

Thank you!

You’re now subscribed to all our newsletters. You can manage your subscriptions at any time from an email or from a MyStylist account.