Daily Inspiration: Meet Madeline McKinnon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Madeline McKinnon.

Hi Madeline, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My first real taste of modeling happened kind of unexpectedly when I was studying abroad in São Paulo, Brazil. I was walking to class one day when a local designer stopped me and asked in Portuguese if I’d walk in her runway show. I said yes — having zero experience — and the last night of my trip walked in São Paulo’s Spring Fashion Week.

When I got back to school in San Francisco, I signed with Look Model Agency and started modeling more regularly — test shoots, fashion week, e-comm, beauty, all of it. My first trunk show was with Louis Vuitton, where I wore a fur coat that was worth more than a year of tuition at my University! That opened the door to other opportunities, like eventually modeling for L’Oréal, and it also taught me how to show up with presence and poise, on and off camera.

Over the years, I’ve balanced modeling with work in the startup world — I co-founded a dating app in 2022, helped launch and scale a few other companies, and built a career in growth marketing. But modeling has always been this through-line for me — a creative outlet that reminds me to take up space, express myself, and have fun.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road — but I’ve learned that the detours usually make the best stories. When I first moved to New York I went to a barre class in Midtown Manhattan and randomly ended up next to Norma Kamali. After class, she came up to me and asked if I’d be interested in walking in her upcoming runway show. I was shocked — I mean, I was in leggings and a messy bun — but obviously I said yes.

I went in for a fitting a few days later, and everything was going great… until they measured me. I was half an inch shorter than the other models they had cast, and they ended up passing on me. It stung. But it also taught me something really important: this industry is full of near-misses and arbitrary standards, and you can’t let any one moment define your value.

That experience stuck with me — not as a failure, but as a reminder that being “almost” right for something doesn’t mean you’re not right for the next big thing.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As a model, I’ve worked across beauty, lifestyle, and fashion — everything from commercial campaigns to creative editorials. I’m often booked for my versatility and energy: I bring a lot of movement, personality, and presence to set. I’ve also been told I’m easy to work with, which honestly goes a long way in this industry.

Physically, I stand out with my vibrant curly red hair, pale skin, and an athletic build — I’m 5’9.5” with a strong, confident presence. I’m not your cookie-cutter model, and that’s something I lean into. I’ve always embraced what makes me different, and I think that authenticity translates on camera.

What also sets me apart is my background outside of modeling. I’ve co-founded a startup, scaled brands through growth marketing, and led teams — so I understand storytelling, branding, and the business side in a way that’s rare in this space. I’m not just modeling — I’m thinking about the bigger picture, the message, the customer.

What I’m most proud of is that I’ve never boxed myself into one lane. I’ve moved fluidly between creative and professional worlds, and that range has become my superpower.

What makes you happy?
Being with my family on our farm in Colorado makes me happiest. There’s something about the quiet, the open space, and the rhythm of life there that grounds me. We’re surrounded by animals, big skies, and fresh air — it’s the opposite of city life, and it helps me reset. I grew up there, so it holds a lot of memories, but even now, it’s where I feel most myself. No makeup, no deadlines — just real connection, good food, and laughter. It reminds me what actually matters.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madeline_mckinnon/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadelineMcKin
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelinemckinnon/

Image Credits
Christopher Dobey
Oliver Endahl
Salvador Delgado