A Texan by birth, R’el Dade found her future in modeling thanks to a suggestion from her father. At 15 years old, R’el entered the Dallas/Kim Dawson Model Search, later earning a contract with the agency, and finally bringing her talents to the Big Apple.

Upon arrival her in New York, R’el clearly stunned and snagged a major introduction to the modeling world, debuting on the Valentino couture runway, as an exclusive no less. Since her beginning modeling moments, she’s been featured in glossies like Numero, Interview, Wallpaper, and i-D, while walking the runways for designers like Marc by Marc Jacobs, Christian Dior, Armani, Hermès, Jean Paul Gaultier,  Carlos Miele, and Dennis Basso, and showing off her posing power for Victoria’s Secret, H&M, and American Eagle.

And if you’re wondering just how to pronounce her name, take a cue from her mother’s inspiration – Ariel of The Little Mermaid!