About
Stefanie Giesinger is a German model and entrepreneur who first stepped into the spotlight in 2014, when the then-17-year-old won the ninth season of “Germany’s Next Topmodel” (GNTM). Her victory opened doors to international runways, a Cosmopolitan Germany cover, and campaigns with labels ranging from Dolce & Gabbana to L’Oréal. In recent years she has broadened her focus beyond fashion shows, co-founding the eco-minded clothing line nu-in and using her social media reach—well over five million followers—to champion sustainable style and body positivity. In 2024 Forbes included her on its 30 Under 30 Europe: Art & Culture list, underlining how much her influence now extends outside traditional modeling circles.
Before Fame
Born on 27 August 1996 in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Stefanie is the daughter of ethnic German parents who emigrated from Siberia in 1995—just a year before her birth. Childhood was anything but ordinary: she lives with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a rare genetic condition that once required emergency surgery at age 13. Nevertheless, she stayed active at the local Gymnasium am Rittersberg and juggled homework with early photo shoots. Friends recall that she was never without a sense of humor or her sketchbook of fashion ideas—clues that a creative career was already on the horizon.
Trivia
- Idol of the Year: Stefanie took home the only jury-voted honor at the About You Awards 2018, beating dozens of digital creators.
- Sustainable trailblazer: Her label nu-in went fully vegan in 2023 and now carries a PETA certification—part of her push for low-impact fashion.
- Screen moments: Outside modeling, she had a cameo in the Matthias Schweighöfer comedy “Der Nanny” (2015) and appeared in the music video for Max Giesinger’s hit “80 Millionen.”
- Glamour accolade: In November 2024 GLAMOUR Germany named her one of its Women of the Year, celebrating her mix of business savvy and activism.
- Ouch, Paris!: A torn thumbnail during a December 2024 campaign shoot in Paris landed her in hospital; she documented the painful detour with trademark candor on Instagram.
Family Life
Although her parents prefer privacy, Stefanie often speaks lovingly about their courage in starting over in Germany and the support they gave her budding career. She has no siblings and says that her tight-knit family values keep her grounded when fashion life gets hectic. Romantic relationships have drawn public interest, too: from 2016 to 2022 she dated British YouTuber Marcus Butler, with whom she co-launched nu-in. The pair announced an amicable split in 2023, a year she calls “transformative.”
Love, however, did not stay away for long. In October 2024 Stefanie revealed on her podcast “G Spot” that she is engaged after a whirlwind proposal in Japan. For now she keeps her fiancé’s identity offline, joking that “some chapters are sweeter when they stay off-camera.” She has no children and tells fans she is “in no rush” to plan the wedding, focusing instead on health, family time in Kaiserslautern, and nu-in’s next collection.
Associated With
- Heidi Klum – Host and head judge of GNTM; Stefanie credits Heidi’s guidance for teaching her the business side of modeling.
- Marcus Butler – Former partner and nu-in co-founder; their shared interest in sustainability shaped the label’s mission.
- PETA – Through nu-in, Stefanie collaborates with the animal-rights group to certify vegan collections.
- UNICEF & LuisaViaRoma – She has walked the blue carpet at the UNICEF Summer Gala, using her platform to amplify children’s causes.
- Ashley Park, Kesha & Valentina Sampaio – Fellow honorees and presenters at the 2024 Glamour Women of the Year event, reflecting Stefanie’s growing presence in global pop culture circles.
