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Many could call supermodel Madisin Rian a global citizen as her mega-successful career has taken her across the globe, yet her hometown of St. Louis is a city which she keeps a deep connection with. The St. Louis native balances her career and bond with her hometown with esteem. She’s a model, a muse, and a trailblazer as her glowing beauty, alluring presence, and tenacity has taken her to the runways of top fashion houses and campaign work with global brands. From the regalty of Venice, Italy with her work as the face of Armani Beauty to the sandy beaches of the Dominican Republic for her feature with Sports Illustrated magazine. The Black American model has been around the world and back yet a special sense of happiness fills her whenever she has the opportunity to work in a city that helped lay the roots of her career. Call it a homecoming, an act of returning home to connect and cultivate a community that has contributed to the top model’s upbringing.
In early June, Advisor. had the pleasure of siting down with Madisin Rian to chat about her ever-evolving career as a pioneering fashion model. Before the in-studio talk, Madisin captivated everyone in sight during the on-location and studio photo shoots. Every movement in front of the camera brought the photoshoot concept to life. The fluidity of her movements almost mirrored that of a dancer – intuitive and natural. She maneuvered her frame to create shapes and lines enhancing every garment. During the in-studio portion of the shoot, the model donned a Laquan Smith fringe gown as she posed illuminating the stunning dress. Modeling is a channel of art, as it has the power to capture the quintessence of fashion and beauty in photographs and the runway. Models act as a canvas as they use expressions, body language, and the ability to work the camera to illustrate fabric, patterns, and style. Madisin Rian acts as a catalyst, embodying beauty and confidence that inspires others, leaving a lasting impression. With 15 years and counting in the fashion industry, modeling is an art form Madisin has mastered, that began in her hometown.
“I was at a private luncheon here in St. Louis when I was 16 years old. I begged my mom to attend because it was the first Saint Louis Fashion Week. She let me skip school so I could attend the luncheon. I was approached by ALIVE Magazine at the time and was scouted by them.” says Madisin as she reflects on how she got into modeling. “I did St. Louis Fashion Week a week after that and the rest was history.”
Saint Louis Fashion Week was launched in 2006 as a way to showcase the array of creative talent in the city. St. Louis is not often synonymous with high fashion like some other larger cities, yet STLFW sought out to challenge that narrative during the 2000’s at a time where the local fashion community was in a rebuilding stage. St. Louis has a rich fashion history that is sometimes overlooked. In the early 20th century the garment district was a major fashion hub, covering 15 blocks full of factories and warehouses that produced fashion goods that were transported nationwide. The district was centered in Washington Ave – now known as Garment District. A century later there has been much revitalization to the fashion community. Organizations like Saint Louis Fashion Fund, St. Louis Fashion Alliance, and Fashion Group International (FGI), all aim to fortify the former garment district and champion for the endless fashion talent in the city. A success story like model Miadisin Rian shows the importance of creating and supporting fashion talent locally. Madisin’s desire to attend one of the first fashion weeks over 15 years ago has since catapulted her into becoming one of the industry’s top models.
Shortly after being discovered at a luncheon held by fellow top model and St. Louis native, Kimora Lee Simmons during STLFW. Madisin’s career jump-started as she first signed with Centro Models and moved to New York. Her career was then fast-tracked as she graced the pages of major publishers from Vogue Portugal, Sports Illustrated, and Elle magazine. She has strutted the catwalk for top fashion houses such as Phillip Phein, Marc Jacobs, and Emilio Pucci exuding her undeniable confidence and stunning beauty.
Making an impact in a career is made by having the ability to affect an industry powerfully. Combining her talent, beauty, and work ethic, Madisin is leaving a lasting influence in the modeling field. In 2018 Madisin made history by becoming the first black woman to be the face of Armani beauty. Embodying the essence of the timeless luxury brand while being a symbol of progression in the industry giving young black girls someone to admire and see themselves in is something the model does not take lightly.Â
“Sometimes I have to pinch myself because I’ve had this dream since I was a little girl. So to represent that for so many little black girls but especially coming out of St. Louis is pretty major. To be a Black American woman in fashion, to me means I have to represent a community of all of us here in the Midwest, down south, and Black Americans in general.”
Black American models have always played a monumental role in shaping the fashion industry. From Naomi Sims who was the first Black woman to grace the cover of a major US magazine – Ladies Home Journal to Karen Alexander who was the first Black American to be featured in Sport Illustrated. Over time Black American models continue to create more space for the next generation, like the passing the baton of sorts. Today, the St. Louis-born beauty continues to make history and take up space in the fashion world, while remaining centered in what matters to her.
 “Modeling has taught me to just stand in who I am and be unapologetic with it because you know there is no right or wrong way. You are who you are and I think it’s taught me to just embrace who I am and to continue to push for my people and to follow my dreams. I think it’s taught me to fight for what I believe is right in my heart and spirit”
Madisin continues to grow and garner wisdom from her experiences. In a profession that is still moving toward representation of Black models, there are many things she’s learned by being in those rooms.
“I always tell people St. Louis raised me and New York made me. If it wasn’t for my St. Louis roots, my ambition, my drive, my family, and just my upbringing, I would definitely not be who I am or be able to take on the amount of that I really do in the fashion industry. Like I tell people all the time it’s so many greats that come out of St. Louis and it’s for a reason. We really embody a whole different level of tenacity.”
Before any flowering tree can bloom, a seed must first take root. With the warmth of the sunlight and nourishing water, a stem pushes through the soil. Over time the tree grows and the flower bud opens. Like a flower tree a person’s hometown acts as the roots laying the foundation of a person’s origin story. As we grow, flowers take form, blooming with beauty on full display. International fashion model Madisin Rian takes pride in her St. Louis roots as her established career continues to blossom and assist the fashion community in St. Louis.
“I think it’s all about collaboration. I think it’s about community. We have to help one another. We all have different talents and abilities. I think extending yourself, whether it’s to all different kinds of people, older, younger, we all have something. We all have something to learn. And I think remaining a student of life is very important in all areas.”
Get your copy of Issue 003 – featuring Madisin Rian, available in our shop now.
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