2010 Golden Iris Nominees: Fashion Model of the Year

The nominees for Fashion Model of the Year haven’t changed since the Midterms, with the exception of Tony Ward knocking 2009 winner Sean O’Pry off the list. Ward earned his nomination by having one of his biggest years ever. But after modeling for nearly three decades, 2010 wasn't a comeback for Ward so much as reignited love from the fashion world.
 
Nominees Noah Mills and Evandro Soldati are both seasoned models who made a splash in filmed entertainment this year, while David Agbodji and River Viiperi are the new kids on the block who came became overnight sensations in 2010.

Go below for profiles and photos of the 2010 nominees.

Photos (clockwise from top left): Guy Aroch, Steven Klein, Doug Inglish, Will Davidson, Christian Oita

David Agbodji

Calvin Klein has launched many trailblazing campaigns over the past three decades, and a few of his models became fashion icons in the process. Last spring, David Agbodji debuted as the star of Klein's most stunning campaign in years (above left), which presented the French-born New Yorker as a 21st century update of the famous Grace Jones/Jean-Paul Goude model-as-sculpture collaborations. The CK ads made 23-three-year-old Agbodji an instant icon, and landed him on the cover of Numéro Homme (above center) and Paper magazine's "Beautiful People" list. But the Bronx resident is not a one trick pony: He channeled urban cuteness for the Sean John campaign and is also an accomplished fashion photographer, with a body of behind-the-lens work that rivals some of the photographers who've shot him. (Above Right Photo: Boo George)

Noah MIlls

Noah Mills won the readers poll for Midterms Fashion Model of the Year, thus guaranteeing him a spot on this list. But the Baltimore native would have secured a nomination even without the readers' seal of approval. To begin with, Mills starred in some of the year's biggest fashion campaigns, including; Dolce & Gabbana (above left), Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, and The Gap. In fact, you could hardly open a lifestyle magazine this fall without encountering his masculine mug in the first few pages. But Mills' golden moment was his role in Sex and the City 2 (above right) as an Italian stallion who hooks up with Samantha after the film's big gay wedding. His screen time may have been short, but the view of his plump rump pounding mightily made him an international sex symbol. And since Mills plans to continue acting, don't be surprised if he becomes a successful leading man like fellow model-turned-actor Channing Tatum.

Evandro Soldati

Evandro Soldati has been around for a while, but 2010 was his breakout year—thanks to  photographer/director Steven Klein, who cast the Brazilian babe as the featured male in Gaga's  "Alejandro" video (above right). Soldati followed that pivotal moment by gracing the cover of Blank magazine (above left), starring in campaigns for Bergdorf's and Guess (above center), and appearing as a featured model in Klein's Golden Iris-nominated Dolce & Gabbana ads. Though Soldati has finally made it to the A-list, the "Alejandro" clip secured a permanent place for him in pop music history, something only a handful of male models have achieved.

River Viiperi

In the fifteen months since he began modeling, River Viiperi's brooding good looks have made him a favorite of international gay blogs and magazines (first come the gays). He's graced the covers of Winq and Attitude (with Kylie!), and was named one of 2010's sexiest men by DNA magazine. But Viiperi's mixture of vulnerability and mischievousness has resonated with young females, too (then the girls). Casting directors took notice, and the Spanish pupcake landed two major youth-orientated clothing campaigns: Bershka and American Eagle (above left). Viiperi's become a sensation in the fashion world because, more than just about any other young male model, he embodies the spirit of the new millennium man—comfortable enough in his own skin not be threatened by being an object of desire for both sexes, while winking playfully at the whole concept of eroticism in general. If he ever decides to channel this energy into acting, it's certain that Hollywood will respond with equal enthusiasm (then the industry). (Above Right Photo: Barry Hollywood) 

Tony Ward

Tony Ward has been modeling longer than all of the other nominees have been alive. During that time, he posed for Herb Ritts, modeled for Calvin Klein, had a very public romance with Madonna, starred in one of Bruce LaBruce's best films (Hustler White), and also, well...sorta fell off the map. But Ward's been busy writing, painting, directing, and even snapping photos—all of which help inform his downtown-meets-uptown Warholian appeal. In 2010, the  father of three became an "it boy" all over again, scoring five magazine covers and starring in campaigns for Dolce & Gabbana (above center), Wrangler, Selected (above left), Aubin & Wills, La Maison Simons, Kappahl, and Deleón tequila. Looking hotter than ever at age 47 (seriously!), Tony Ward is the embodiment of "it gets better," because he certainly has. 

The Golden Iris Award winner for Fashion Model of the Year will be announced on December 23rd.

Tomorrow: Photographer of the Year nominees.

Click here for complete Golden Iris Award coverage.