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Younes Bendjima, that’s a face you’ve surely seen somewhere before, quite imposing when you know he is about 1m83 tall. He was born on May 5, 1993, in Lyon, so today he has just turned 31 years old. What’s crazy is that behind this cool model, there is also a former boxer and a hard worker in life.
You know what I like about him? It’s that mix of natural elegance and a bit of raw simplicity. Not just a model admired from afar, but a guy with a real story, Algerian roots, and dreams full of hope. Oh yes, and his private life has often been talked about, especially with his past relationship with Kourtney Kardashian (if you followed, it made some noise!).
Before walking the runways, Younes was a kid helping his father in the family restaurant in Lyon. He started boxing very early, at 11 years old, to channel his energy. Without sports, maybe he would never have touched modeling, because it was in New York that he was spotted.
Since then, he’s been signing contracts with Dior, Givenchy, Balmain… The big names in luxury trust him. And between two fashion shows, he manages his business, because this guy never stops. Entrepreneur, investor, creative, Younes Bendjima is much more than just a charming face.
Who really is Younes Bendjima? A French-Algerian model who conquered the world
Younes is first and foremost a French-Algerian born in Lyon, a simple guy from southwest France, but with huge ambition. His first life revolved around boxing and the family kitchen, spending a lot of energy in his father’s restaurant, before taking off for New York at the age of 17.
What impresses me is how he managed to juggle between these two worlds. Quickly, he was noticed for his style and look. In 2013, he signed his first major contract with Givenchy, and from there, it took off. Can you imagine the leap? Going from the kitchen to ultra-select fashion is not given to everyone.
Faced with rising fame, he kept a low profile, especially about his love life. However, his story with Kourtney Kardashian, the American star, projected his name internationally. Two years together, then everything stopped in 2018, amid the social media turmoil.
But Younes Bendjima didn’t stop at modeling. He started his luxury concierge company very young, at 22, and invested in several projects, including restaurants and a very well-known bakery in Los Angeles. A real entrepreneur who leaves nothing to chance.
A career full of success and bold choices
In a few years, Younes went from being a simple boxer to an essential model in fashion. That journey wasn’t easy. The beginnings in New York were tough, between life away from family and industry pressure.
This guy still posed for Dior, Balmain, Burberry, and Ralph Lauren. Honestly, that’s impressive. And he kept his authenticity, which I admire, because fashion can sometimes be a superficial world. He relies on his origins, his story, to make his photos resonate.
Beyond the runway, he also launched StudioFY7, his own creative agency. Have you seen the collaboration with New Balance for a sneaker inspired by Algerian architecture? I admit, I did not expect that, it’s classy and breaks a bit from the usual codes.
Also an investor, he doesn’t give up. Restaurants in Lyon, franchises in Los Angeles, and even a concierge company for VIP clients. The kind of guy who prepares the future because he knows modeling ends one day.
Private life: mystery and discretion
Personally, Younes Bendjima isn’t the type to spread his life like some do. Yet he had a highly publicized relationship with Kourtney Kardashian. The story grabbed tabloids, but it fell apart in 2018.
Before that, he dated British model Jourdan Dunn. That shows a bit that he has always been surrounded by personalities in fashion. Since then, it remains complicated to know exactly where he stands. He favors Paris, far from the US bustle.
He often explained in interviews that he left New York to be closer to his family, especially his mother. In 2020, back to Paris, a choice not obvious but very personal. Family first, that’s a trait that comes out a lot with him.
If you want to follow a bit of his daily life, it’s on his Instagram that it happens. Simple and elegant, he shares his projects without saying too much, true to himself.
Some anecdotes that make Younes Bendjima a unique character
Did you know Younes started boxing because he had so much energy it needed to be channeled? Not just for sport, but also to avoid spending the money the family didn’t have. It’s a detail that really humanizes his path.
His time in the family restaurant taught him to work hard, and it shows in his career. As he confided to Vogue magazine, his uncle remained his boxing coach, he never cut this link, which shows he keeps the values he learned young.
He also faced visa problems that slowed down his boxing career in the United States. Actually, it’s as if life had whispered to him to turn to modeling. Sometimes, fate works well, don’t you think?
His agency StudioFY7 is also a way to express his values, as he collaborates on projects supporting social causes, notably in Palestine and Yemen, through the sale of solidarity products. An unknown but admirable facet.
Younes Bendjima today: where is he in 2025?
2025 is a year where Younes continues to juggle between fashion and business. Still under contract with Next Models agency, he remains a sought-after top. Not bad, when you know the industry is ultra competitive.
At the same time, his group of companies is expanding. He’s thinking about launching a hair salon to add a new string to his bow. A taste for diversification typical of modern entrepreneurs.
On the collaboration side, he also works with names like Mustafa the Poet or A$AP Rocky’s creative director, Kamil Abbas, for unique collections. A mix of talents that breaks usual codes.
In short, Younes Bendjima, he’s here, he moves, he builds his life at his own pace, while staying connected to his roots. He clearly shows that behind the beauty, there is a real guy with a real journey, a guy who works hard.
Watch him walk, it’s crazy how he masters the runway.
Want to know him better? This interview is a real treasure of authenticity.
List 🌟: The 5 reasons why Younes Bendjima makes waves in fashion and entrepreneurship
- 🌍 A rich and inspiring French-Algerian background
- 🥊 Discipline gained thanks to boxing since childhood
- 🕴️ Prestigious contracts with brands like Dior and Balmain
- 💼 An entrepreneur diversifying his projects (restaurant, concierge, agency)
- 🤝 A committed involvement in humanitarian and creative projects
Discover more about Younes Bendjima and follow his news
To dig deeper, you can check his very complete bio on Voici.fr and a detailed profile on Legit.ng. If you like his style, take a look at Models.com where he is often featured.
And of course, with a bit of luck, he still pushes the limits as seen on Gala or in his interviews on Wikitia, which I find quite complete and full of fascinating info.