Besides being famous for its beautiful Transylvanian landscapes and the legend of Dracula, Romania has a lot more to offer. The country has beautiful models that have landed international bookings and are slowly making their way to the global scene.
She posed for magazines and ad campaigns across Europe. Her etiquette and professionalism made her a hit in the industry.
Catrinel Menghia
Catrinel Menghia (also known as simply Catrinel) is an established mid-career model who has graced countless magazine covers and ad campaigns. She has worked with top brands like Chanel, Dolce&Gabbana, Dior, Gucci, Balmain, Emilio Pucci, and more. Her beauty has also landed her the cover of Glamour Romania and international editions such as Vogue Brazil, Italy, and Japan.
Born in Iasi, Catrinel began modeling at the age of sixteen and quickly gained recognition in her homeland. She was discovered on the street by a local modeling agent who took her to Bucharest to meet with Liviu Ionescu of the MRA Agency. Six months later, she was competing in the Ford Supermodel of the World Romania contest and had achieved second runner up status.
Aside from her many modeling appearances, Catrinel has appeared in several films and TV shows as well. She is also a very talented singer and dancer. Her single, “Roses on Fire” was an instant hit and climbed the charts worldwide in no time at all.
Currently, Catrinel is the face of French luxury lingerie brand Lise Charmel and can be seen in a Ford car commercial that was featured during the Super Bowl. She also recently starred in two Italian films, La Citta Ideale directed by Luigi Lo Cascio and Tutti i Rumori Del Mare written and directed by Federico Brugia.
You are a creative, independent person who is not afraid to take risks and make decisions for yourself. Your intuition and intellect help you to be highly organized and meticulous in all of your pursuits, as you prefer to master your craft perfectly, rather than just mediocrely. You are a perfectionist who can be ruthless with yourself as you strive to achieve your goals, but you are also a loyal and thoughtful friend and partner.
Madalina Ghenea
Madalina Ghenea is one of the most renowned Romanian models to make a name for herself in the fashion industry worldwide. Her beauty and talent have not only made her a favorite of local tabloids but also international media platforms. The gorgeous model is the winner of several major modeling competitions, including JAGUAR TOP Model and BELGRAVO TOP Model. Her etiquette, knowledge, and excitement are what set her apart from the rest of her fellow competitors.
In 2009, she signed a contract with the New York and Milan branches of the Major Model Management. Soon, she was participating in fashion shows around the world. In 2011, she starred in her first film, I soliti idioti. Her career as a model and actress has been going strong ever since, and she’s even been linked to famous celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Gerard Butler.
She’s been the face of several important brand campaigns and has acted in famous movies such as Dom Hemingway and Youth. She’s also starred in a commercial together with actor Raoul Bova and filmed a movie alongside actresses Sofia Loren and Eva Longoria.
Most recently, the stunning model was spotted at the Madrid Open. She supported tennis star Grigor Dimitrov from his box during his third round match against Carlos Alcaraz. She later posted a cute photo on her Instagram of herself and Dimitrov enjoying a fancy dinner. The pair have been fueling dating rumors ever since they were spotted together at the Madrid Open. They have not yet confirmed their romantic relationship but they are sure to delight their fans with more sweet posts in the future.
Diana Moldovan
Romanian model Diana Moldovan started her career in Bucharest but quickly gained international recognition. She is now a sought-after model who has graced numerous magazine covers and ad campaigns including Abercrombie & Fitch, Bare Necessities, JCPenney, John Frieda, L’Oreal and many more. She posed for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue twice and is the face of French luxury lingerie brand Lise Charmel. She has also appeared in Vogue’s Brazil, Italy, Russia, and Spain editions as well as the inaugural cover of Glamour.
Despite her success, she still makes time to do philanthropic work and speak at fashion events. In fact, she has even taught modeling to children through a charity called I Love You More.
She is signed with IMG models and has worked with brands like Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Etam, Balenciaga, Vera Wang, Jacquemas, Barbara Bui and Chalayan. She has also modeled in Milan Fashion Week and graced the cover of Glamour Italy. Her beauty and work ethic have made her one of the most sought-after models in the world today.
Ioana Mihalache is another Romanian model who has risen to fame quickly. She was crowned Miss Romania in 2017 and has walked the runways for top designers such as Chanel and Gucci. In addition, she has several television appearances under her belt and has starred in a few movies. Despite her success, she has maintained a down-to-earth attitude and has been praised for her friendly demeanor.
If you want to become a fashion model in Bucharest, there are plenty of agencies to choose from. You can check out Mandarina, which represents both male and female models, or Rue des Models, which specializes in scouting models for local and international clients.
Ioana Mihalache
Ioana Mihalache is a fashion model who started her career in Bucharest and went on to achieve global recognition. She is not only a model, but also an actress and beauty pageant titleholder who has competed in Miss Earth Romania and Miss Grand Romania. She has been a part of numerous editorial shoots and worked with some of the biggest brands in the world.
Ioanna has an estimated net worth of $1-5 Million. She earned most of her money as a professional actor. She keeps her personal life private and prefers not to share her relationship details with the public.
She is currently enrolled at the University of Alexandru Ioan Cuza din Iasi and is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in English Language and Literature/Letters. Besides her studies, she has also been working as a Technical Support Engineer at IntelligentBee since October 2022. In this role, she helps customers with email deliverability and technical setup, conducts client technical provisioning and onboarding, analyzes blocks and bounce errors, and prioritizes tickets and chats based on internal rules.
The most important thing in her career has been the ability to overcome obstacles and keep moving forward. She has a strong work ethic and is always looking for the next challenge. She is a true inspiration to other models and will continue to push herself to reach new heights in her career.
The next time you’re in Bucharest, be sure to check out the modeling agencies there. These agencies can help you become a national and international booked model. They will help you get in touch with clients from all over the world and give you a chance to build your portfolio.
Andreea Diaconu
When she’s not gracing the covers of French, American, Brazilian, Russian and Romanian Vogue, you can find Andreea Diaconu barefaced and dressed in an old T-shirt, facetiming her husband from their home in Tofino on Canada’s west coast. She loves old Romanian music, The Cure, Feist and dubstep when she’s exercising (she credits a good pair of sunglasses, sunscreen and an hour of training here and there with keeping her lithe limbs).
As a model, Diaconu is a stalwart for brands that prioritize sustainability and an ethical lifestyle. She’s posed for Viktor & Rolf, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Donna Karan and Celine. She’s also appeared in advertising campaigns for Ralph Lauren, Chloe, Tod’s, Salvatore Ferragamo, David Yurman and Giuseppe Zanotti, along with Trussardi, Isabel Marant, Balmain, Max Mara, Adolfo Dominguez, Custo Barcelona and J. Crew.
Diaconu has also walked the runways for Roberto Cavalli, Prada, Tommy Hilfiger, Bottega Veneta, Michael Kors, Dolce & Gabbana and Balmain, as well as Chanel, Blumarine and John Galliano. She’s appeared in editorials for Vogue Paris, Harper’s Bazaar and Vanity Fair, and is featured in a number of advertising campaigns including the likes of Tiffany & Co and De Beers.
Aside from modelling, Diaconu has invested her time in charity work and promoting healthy eating through her health food restaurants called Moo Moo. She also volunteers for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and is involved with Art and Abolition, an organization that works to end child sex slavery in East Africa. She speaks five languages, including three fluently, plus French, Italian and basic Mandarin. She’s currently in a transition, moving back to school and trying to figure out her future beyond fashion.