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Aya Jones

Aya Jones

Personal Details :

  • Full Name: Aya Jones N’Guessan
  • Date of Birth: September 7, 1994
  • Place of Birth: Paris, France (11th arrondissement)
  • Nationality: French
  • Ethnicity: Ivorian (father) and French (mother)
  • Height: 5′10″ (178 cm)
  • Measurements: 32″ bust / 25″ waist / 34″ hips
  • Hair Color: Brown
  • Eye Color: Brown
  • Zodiac Sign: Virgo
  • Profession: Fashion Model
  • Agencies: The Lions (New York), Elite (Paris), Monster (Milan), Supa (London)
  • Languages: French, English
  • Notable Campaigns: Prada, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Guerlain, Etam
  • Major Runways: Valentino, Dior, Nina Ricci, Miu Miu, Marc Jacobs, Dolce & Gabbana
  • Injury: Suffered major injuries in a 2016 jet-ski accident in Thailand
  • Recovery: Spent over a year recovering before returning to modeling in 2017
  • Inspirations: Naomi Campbell, Grace Coddington
  • Hobbies: Dance (ballet, jazz, hip-hop), adventurous sports (jet-ski, ATV), music

Social Media Presence :

Career Overview :

  • Discovery: Discovered by a modeling scout on Rue de Rivoli in Paris, France.
  • Modeling Agencies:
    • The Lions (New York)
    • Elite Model Management (Paris)
    • Monster Management (Milan)
    • Supa Model Management (London)
  • Breakthrough: Exclusive debut for Prada at Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2015.
  • Major Runway Appearances:
    • Valentino
    • Miu Miu
    • Dior
    • Nina Ricci
    • Marc Jacobs
    • Dolce & Gabbana
  • Campaigns:
    • Prada (Pre-Fall 2015, photographed by Steven Meisel)
    • Tommy Hilfiger
    • Calvin Klein
    • Guerlain
    • Etam
    • Mango
  • Magazine Covers & Features:
    • Teen Vogue – “Meet the New Faces of Fashion”
    • Vogue Spain – “Black is Beautiful”
    • Vogue Thailand
    • Issue Magazine
    • Interview Magazine – “15 Faces of 2015”
  • Awards & Recognition:
    • i‑D Magazine – Top 10 New Faces of 2014
    • Vanity Fair France – Ranked #44 among most influential French personalities (2015)
    • Praised by The New York Times as a rising star in fashion
  • Jet-Ski Accident & Recovery:
    • In 2016, suffered multiple injuries in a jet-ski crash in Thailand
    • Underwent extensive surgery and spent over a year in recovery
    • Made a strong comeback in 2017, walking for major brands again
  • Current Work: Continues to work in editorial and commercial modeling while advocating for diversity and representation in the fashion industry.

Personal Life & Interests :

  • Heritage: Born to an Ivorian father and a French mother who is a physical therapist.
  • Hometown: Grew up in Paris, France (11th arrondissement).
  • Family Life: Helped in her family’s Ivorian restaurant during her childhood.
  • Dance Background: Trained in ballet, jazz, and hip-hop from a young age.
  • Languages: Fluent in French and English.
  • Hobbies & Interests:
    • Fashion and modeling
    • Traveling and exploring new cultures
    • Listening to music—particularly hip-hop, R&B, and African genres
    • Adventure sports (jet-ski, ATV riding, zip-lining – now with more caution)
  • Inspirations:
    • Naomi Campbell (career and activism)
    • Grace Coddington (creativity and mentorship)
  • Personality: Known for her calm presence, resilience, and thoughtful outlook following her recovery from a major accident.
  • Public Image: Frequently praised for her “Disney-princess” elegance and mixed-heritage beauty; considered a symbol of #BlackGirlMagic and positive fashion diversity.

Net Worth :

  • Net Worth Estimate: Reports vary widely:
    • $14 million – NetWorthList estimates her at this figure .
    • $5 million – Celebrity-Birthdays lists this as of December 2023 .
    • $1 million – $5 million – InfoFamousPeople and CelebsAgeWiki estimate her in this range .
    • $100,000 – $1 million – CelebsMoney ranks her conservatively here as of 2024.
  • Primary Income: Modeling—high‑end runway shows, major brand campaigns (Prada, Valentino, Mango, Calvin Klein, etc.), and fragrance/beauty endorsements.
  • Why Estimates Vary: Public records don’t disclose fees; modeling income can fluctuate seasonally based on campaigns and fashion shows. Some estimates may overstate earnings by projecting brand values rather than confirmed contracts.

Awards & Achievements :

  • i‑D Magazine “Top 10 New Faces” (2014): Ranked 4th among breakthrough models of the season.
  • Interview Magazine “15 Faces of 2015”: Featured as one of the most promising models for the year.
  • Model of the Year Nominee (2015): Shortlisted by models.com as a breakout star.
  • Vanity Fair France – 44th Most Influential French Person (2015): Recognized for her cultural impact.
  • The New York Times Favorite Model (2015): Listed among standout models in their year-end coverage.
  • Teen Vogue Cover – “Meet the New Faces of Fashion” (Aug 2015): Featured as part of a pioneering group redefining fashion diversity.
  • Steven Meisel Campaign Model (Prada Pre-Fall 2015): Selected for a major campaign by the iconic photographer.
  • Runway Exclusive – Prada S/S 2015: Debuted exclusively for Prada in Milan, gaining industry-wide recognition.
  • Featured in “Rapid Rise” by Daily Front Row (2015): Highlighted as one of the standout talents of the Spring runway season.

Fun Facts :

  • She was discovered on the street in Paris while walking down Rue de Rivoli.
  • Before modeling, she helped out in her family’s Ivorian restaurant in Paris.
  • She trained in ballet, jazz, and hip-hop dance from a young age.
  • Aya survived a life-threatening jet-ski accident in Thailand in 2016 and made a strong comeback to the fashion world.
  • She was once described as having a “Disney princess” look by fans on social media.
  • Despite her glamorous career, she maintains a calm and down-to-earth personality.
  • She draws inspiration from Naomi Campbell and Grace Coddington.
  • She is fluent in both French and English.
  • She loves music, especially hip-hop, R&B, and contemporary African artists.
  • Her favorite activities include traveling, photography, and outdoor adventures—though she has become more cautious since her accident.