Gigi Hadid Covers W, Reflects on Modeling Success, Naked Photo Shoots and More

"Both commercial and high fashion are what make my job so interesting," she says, adding that she never wants "to choose one or the other"

By Rebecca Macatee Aug 03, 2015 6:56 PMTags
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Gigi Hadid is fashion's It Girl right now, or as W magazine calls their September cover girl, the "Post It Girl."

The 20-year-old is one of the "new-generation models" who has "built their fame online," notes Lynn Hirschberg, W editor at large. Gigi is well aware of her social media popularity, too, even telling the magazine matter-of-factly, "I have more than 4 million followers on Instagram."

"All the companies I work for want me to guarantee how much I'll post for them, but I'm not going to force my career onto the people who follow me," she adds. "I refuse to do 40 Instagram posts about any campaign."

Speaking of which, Gigi has no trouble working for all ends of the fashion spectrum. "My Pirelli calendar is hanging on the wall of my friend's frat house, and he doesn't know anything about fashion," she says. "That balance is what leads to big campaigns outside of fashion. But I never want to choose one or the other. Both commercial and high fashion are what make my job so interesting."

"I have always been aware of the business side of this industry," Gigi tells W. "I've always seen it as a career that required work and planning."

Last summer, Gigi's career got a major boost when she posed nearly naked for Tom Ford's Velvet Orchid fragrance campaign. "I've never been scared of being naked in pictures, but I wouldn't do naked for naked's sake. With Tom, it was an easy decision," she tells the mag. "When you think of scent, you don't think of clothes. In the beginning, I thought Tom would not want to know my name. But he made a space for me in the high-fashion world. When Tom liked me, other jobs followed."

For much more of Gigi, pick up W's September issue when it hits stands Aug. 18.

Watch: Gigi Hadid Talks Newest Gig with Maybelline