Who is Mathieu Simoneau? Meet the Model Everyone’s Talking About
Amid the fashion week frenzy, swirl of grand venues, boundary-pushing concepts, and next-season tailoring, there’s one model who’s been quietly (and stylishly) stealing the spotlight. Enter Mathieu Simoneau, the Canadian-Korean model turning heads from Milan to Paris — and quickly becoming fashion’s next obsession.
He’s a star in the making
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the major fashion shows this season, chances are you’ve noticed Simoneau. With a statuesque 6’3″ frame, high cheekbones, and distinctive monolid eyes, he stands out — not just as an Asian face on Western runways, but as a fresh, modern masculinity in an industry craving new energy.
Spotted at age 17 by a scout at Toronto’s Veld Music Festival, Simoneau signed with an agency and wasted no time making his mark. He debuted as an exclusive model for Calvin Klein by Raf Simons, and quickly followed up with runway turns for Tom Ford, Hugo Boss, Theory, and heavyweights like Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, and Emporio Armani.
Since then, he’s appeared on the covers of magazines across the globe and, in 2023, was named Models.com’s “Model of the Year: Men”—a serious seal of approval in an industry that doesn’t hand out praise lightly.
He’s went from the catwalk to classroom, and back to the catwalk
In a twist you wouldn’t expect from one of fashion’s most in-demand faces, Simoneau hit pause on modeling for nearly two and a half years. The reason? He wanted to explore life beyond the runway.
During the pandemic, he returned to Canada and enrolled at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, planning to pursue a business degree. But with time, the pressure of academic life—and perhaps the call of the runway—led him to reconsider. The fashion world pulled him back in.
He’s also a TikTok creator
Simoneau’s influence isn’t limited to editorials and catwalks. With over 1.3 million followers on TikTok, he’s carved out a second identity as a creator—one who offers an unfiltered, charmingly real look at life as a working model. From behind-the-scenes vlogs to fashion week recaps, his content blends humor with honesty, and it’s working. He’s relatable, disarming, and refreshingly down to earth.
In one video, he shares how early runway gigs were nerve-wracking. His secret? Focusing on the endpoint and imagining a powerful figure seated there. He admits to still learning how to master his expression, proving that even models in the spotlight are still refining their craft.
And unlike many influencers, Simoneau actually reads and replies to his comments. “This is me in real life,” he says. “Sitting in my room, talking to you, honestly.”
He is grounded, gracious, and going places
Despite his rising fame, Simoneau remains modest about where he stands in fashion. In interviews, he’s said he still doesn’t fully understand all the nuances between brands, and feels there’s much more to learn. But it’s that humility—paired with drive, presence, and rare authenticity—that makes him not just a model to watch, but one to root for.
Fashion may be fast, but Mathieu Simoneau is moving with purpose. And trust us — you’ll be seeing a lot more of him.
