About

South African fashion model, Cape Town & Milan.

Chad J. Payne — portrait, April 2026

Chad J. Payne

I grew up in Durban, South Africa, and studied at Stellenbosch University. I've been working as a fashion model since 2015, based primarily between Cape Town and Milan.

In 2020 I was a Top 5 finalist on Netflix's The Model Show — South Africa's first reality competition series produced for global distribution — which led to my signing with 20 Management and building an international career across editorial, campaign and runway.

My editorial work spans Sunday Times STYLE, CAP 74024 (Milan), L'Effronté Journal (Paris), Heavy Feral (Berlin), and Vangardist (Austria). Campaign credits include Heineken, Sanlam, and Huawei. On the runway I've worked with couturier Gavin Rajah in Paris and South Africa.

Internationally represented by Indastria Model Management in Milan. Domestically by 20 Management (Cape Town mainboard), MyFriendNed (Johannesburg), and iModel Management (Durban).

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Selected Credits

Editorial
Sunday Times STYLE Cover · South Africa · 2021
CAP 74024 — Thicker Than Water Milan
L'Effronté Journal Cover · Paris
Heavy Feral Berlin
Vangardist Vienna
Falcon Magazine Milan
Campaigns
Heineken International
Sanlam Live With Confidence South Africa
Huawei Global
Talcid Germany · All-media
Runway & Screen
Gavin Rajah Paris · South Africa
Netflix — The Model Show Top 5 · 2020