7. Joan Smalls – earned $5.5 million in 2015
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Joan Smalls moved to New York to start modelling straight after finishing her psychology degree.
The move clearly paid off – she signed with IMG Models and within a year was exclusively modelling on Givenchy’s runway. As the years have gone by, Smalls has been the face of Estée Lauder, Gucci eyewear, Balmain, Ralph Lauren, H&M and many, many more global fashion brands.
In a recent Facebook post, legendary 90s supermodel Cindy Crawford said that Smalls was her favourite model of the moment.
