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 :
- Instagram: @iamayajones
- Models.com: Aya Jones on Models.com
- Babepedia: Aya Jones on Babepedia
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.