Cover Photo: Getty

They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder... but sometimes it’s in their DNA. From Ella Yam to the Hadid sisters, here are the models who followed mum onto the runway

As the old adage goes, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, and if you've ever wondered whether good genes run in the family, you have to look no further than models and their offspring for definitive proof. Every decade had its top girls: Twiggy in the ’60s; the ’70s had a whole crop like Jerry Hall, Beverly Johnson, Iman and Lauren Hutton, to name a few; and the ’80s and ’90s, were a time when fashion and pop culture collided to propel names such as Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, and Kate Moss to stratospheric fame.

In the time since, the supers have also become mothers, and it should come as no surprise that their genetically blessed children have also taken their turn on the runway. In honour of Mother's Day, we take a look at the striking progeny that have follow their mother's footsteps on the catwalk.

1. Qi Qi and Ella Yam

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Instagram/@qiqi_yam

Ella Yam, daughter of Asia’s original supermodel QiQi and Hong Kong veteran actor Simon Yam, is a promising young star of the modelling world. Since her teenage years, The 18-year-old Ella, who stands at 1.8m, has been working part-time as a model and featured on various covers of Asian fashion magazines since her younger teenage years. And the mother-daughter duo has been seen having fun at fashion shows together. For example, in 2022 at the Dior show in Shanghai and Ralph Lauren show in Los Angeles.

2. Yolanda Hadid, Gigi Hadid and Bella Hadid

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Getty

Yolanda Hadid was a top model in the ’80s, having been discovered by legendary modelling agent Eileen Ford herself. Her two daughters, Gigi and Bella, need no introduction, having burst into the fashion world in 2014 and conquering runways and snagging dozens of magazine covers  since.

3. Kate Moss and Lila Grace Moss Hack

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Getty

As a model, Lila Grace Moss Hack is as pedigreed as they come, being the daughter of Kate Moss and Dazed founder Jefferson Hack. She's modelled for the likes of Miu Miu, Chanel, Marc Jacobs, and most recently walked the runway together with mum at Kim Jones' couture debut for Fendi.

4. Kris Jenner and Kendall Jenner

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Getty

In her youth, Kris Jenner dabbled in a bit of modelling, but it's her daughter Kendall Jenner who has really become the clotheshorse of the family. She was named the top paid model in 2020, further cementing her place among the new supers of this generation.

5. Victoria Beckham, Brooklyn Beckham and Romeo Beckham

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Getty
Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Getty

Is it any wonder that Victoria Beckham's kids would also be models? Her eldest, Brooklyn, has turned his attention to his modelling career after a stint as an aspiring photographer, but it's really Romeo who has the serious modelling chops—he's been in several Burberry campaigns since he was a child.

6. Cindy Crawford, Kaia Gerber and Presley Gerber

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Getty

You know her by name, if not her iconic beauty mark. Cindy Crawford married American businessman Rande Gerber in 1998 and have two incredibly good-looking children together: Presley, who briefly dabbled in modelling since he was 16, and Kaia, who stunned the world with her close resemblance to her mum and her natural affinity with the runway strut.

7. Vanessa Paradis and Lily-Rose Depp

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Getty

Lily-Rose Depp burst onto the modelling scene as one of the late Karl Lagerfeld's darlings, following her chanteuse-model mother Vanessa Paradis, a catwalk fixture of Paris' top fashion houses in the ’90s.

8. Jerry Hall and Georgia May Jagger

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Getty

Jerry Hall was a top name of the ’70s, and, upon marrying Rolling Stones member Mick Jagger, gave birth to four children together: Lizzie, James, Georgia May and Gabriel. Of this brood, Georgia has taken after her mother the most, gracing magazine covers and modelling for top brands across the world.

9. Beverly Johnson and Anansa Sims

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Getty

Beverly Johnson made history in the ’70s as the first-ever black woman on the cover of American Vogue, and now, her daughter Anansa Sims is also pursuing a career in fashion as a model. 

10. Pat Cleveland and Anna Cleveland

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Getty

Known for her memorable turns on the runway in the ’70s, top model Pat Cleveland was a darling of Valentino and Yves Saint Laurent. Her daughter Anna has signed on as a model in 2015, and has walked for Chanel, Moschino (at age 4!), Jean Paul Gaultier, and Zac Posen, among others.

11. Jennifer Flavin and Sistine Stallone

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Getty

Sistine Stallone—daughter of professional macho man Sylvester Stallone and model Jennifer Flavin—is Hollywood royalty, but she's been building her catwalk chops too, walking for the likes of Dolce & Gabbana and Chanel.

12. Kristen McMenamy and Lily McMenamy

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Getty

Instantly recognisable with her steel grey mane, Kristen McMenamy made a name for herself as a daring model both editorially and on the runway. So is it any wonder that her daughter Lily has been courted by the likes of Louis Vuitton and Saint Laurent, who want her unique looks on their lineup?

13. Pamela Anderson and Dylan Jagger Lee

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Getty

Best known for her starring role on Baywatch, Pamela Anderson was a household name and frequent cover star in the ’90s—her son Dylan Jagger Lee is walking a mile in his famous mother's shoes and take his turn in the spotlight too.

14. Christie Brinkley and Sailor Lee Brinkley-Cook

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Getty

Another mother-daughter duo who makes people do a double take, Christie Brinkley and Sailor Lee Brinkley-Cook look almost identical, and the similarities don't just stop at face value. The blonde bombshells have both covered Sports Illustrated, and strutted down the runway at New York Fashion Week together as well.

15. Wendy Jacobs and Iman Fandi

Tatler Asia

And last but not least, Singapore's very own mother-daughter model duo: Wendy Jacobs and Iman Fandi. Jacobs modelled for local department stores such as Robinsons, John Little and Tangs in the ’90s, while her daughter Iman has quickly rocketed to fame as a model in Singapore, securing several magazine covers and shoots locally in the past few years.


This article was originally published on May 9, 2021 and was updated on May 12, 2023.

Topics