Who Is The World’s Most Connected Supermodel? You’ll Never Guess…

Imagine the world's 'most connected' supermodel, and you'll probably think of the old guard; 90s beauties like Kate, Naomi, Cindy or Helena – models so famous, they don't even need a last name.

Or you might think of the 'newer' guard: Cara, for example (no surname needed either), or Kendall (as before).

*W *magazine, however, has bestowed the 'most connected' title on none of these faces.

The answer: Gigi Hadid.

Slightly perplexed? Read on...

Gigi Hadid, daughter of Palestinian real-estate developer Mohammed Hadid and his American model wife Yolanda Foster, is (as W claims) a 'Post-It Girl' – a model with a huge personality, who has built her fame online.

Through gigs with Maybelline, Tom Ford, MaxMara and most recently Topshop (and an active social media presence), Gigi has amassed a following of millions. Not only that, the 20-year-old moves in tight circles with other 'Post-It Girls' (Cara, Kendall, Taylor) and has also been linked to more than 50 highly influential people.

From Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand and Cher (all of whom worked with Gigi's stepfather, record producer David Foster), to Bill Clinton and George W Bush (who was endorsed by Gigi's best friend's billionaire father, Nelson Peltz), Gigi's connections set her apart. As Lynn Hirschberg (W's editor at large) puts it, Gigi can move 'seamlessly' between 'mass and class'.

But it's not only her connections that have paved the way for success, but her upbringing too. Mindful of her privileged childhood, Gigi is, as Hirschber claims, 'intentionally polite'; a quality which not only cements her place in the camp of other immaculately-mannered Post-It Girls, but one which makes her instantly likeable too. This, of course, only serves to add to her already substantial appeal.

So whilst they say that 'manners maketh man', it seems valid to also say that manners maketh models too – with the help of a hefty address book.

WATCH The Gigi Hadid Runway Workout ...