5 Canadian Male Models You Should Know Are Canadian!

Models have a lot more influence than you think. And this influence I’m making reference to has nothing to do with their image, salary or which designers they’re hanging out with — it has to do with their citizenship. Over the last few years, I’ve witnessed Canada, a generally overlooked country by the international fashion press, transform into a better version of itself by tapping into, perhaps even piggy backing off of, a group of Canadian talent that is taking off internationally. Sadly, these aren’t the designers, but the models.

Girls like Daria Werbowy, Alana Zimmer, Jessica Stam, Irina Lazareanu, and Coco Rocha have made it a point to return to their roots throughout the year to grace the covers of Canada’s fashion magazines (Elle Canada, Flare, Fashion), walk its runways and star in its ad campaigns (Ogilvy, Simons). I’ve seen first hand how their presence has created more buzz around the country’s industry (at least within Canada).

And the Canadian male models are no exception. In fact, its the boys’ influence that feels much more current. I may not exhibit the go-habs-go gusto as some of my fellow Canadians do, but rest assured that when I’m attending New York Fashion Week I can’t help but smile when Simon Nessman struts by.

Here are 5 Canadian male models you should know are Canadian (and hey, if you don’t care they’re Canadian, consider this a list of hot male models grouped together).

Rick Genest (aka Zombie Boy), 25
Born: Montreal, Quebec (haayyy!)
Best Known For: His corpse-like tattoos. Before he joined forces with Lady Gaga and Nicola Formichetti for Mugler, Genest had money problems and found himself homeless in his hometown (us Montrealers know him to have been a squeegie kid). He’s also appeared in spreads for GQ Style and Vogue Hommes Japan.
  

Noah Mills, 27
Born: Toronto, Ontario
Best Known For: Making you melt butter in your pants. To non-industry folk, Noah Mills made an appearance in Sex and the City 2 as Samantha’s sex buddy at the wedding. He’s done the naked anthology fragrance campaign for D&G, is currently starring in Lacoste’s ad campaign, and has walked countless shows (check out footage I took of him during the Michael Kors Spring 2010 show — what’s up with him looking at the floor so much?).

Simon Nessman, 21
Born: Courtenay, British Columbia
Best Known For: Wishing you were 21 again. I’ll never forget standing in front of him at Simon Spurr’s Spring 2010 presentation. I must have taken a few (cough, dozen, cough) pictures of him. His memorable works include his campaign with Givenchy and his spreads in L’Officiel Hommes. He’s made guys with curly hair that much more attractive.

Marcel Castenmiller, 24
Born: Edmonton, Alberta
Best Know For: His slim and, at times, androgynous look. He’s the skinny, living-in-Brooklyn model we wish we were. His work has included campaigns with Versace, Kenzo and Gucci. He’s friends with fellow cutie model Chantal Stafford-Abbott (click through for my interview with her!).

Gabriel Aubry, 34
Born: Montreal, Quebec
Best Know For: Dating  Halle Barry and fathering her child. Breaking up with Halle Barry. He’s worked with Calvin Klein, L’Uomo Vogue and DKNY to name a few.