Alva Chinn is an American fashion model. She is of Chinese, English, Indian, and Black ancestry. She grew up in Boston where she was the valedictorian of her high school class. While attending the University of Massachusetts, she modeled for Mademoiselle magazine's college issue. Shortly thereafter, she moved to New York to start a modeling career. She modeled for Halston, Saint Laurent, Chanel, and Chloé. In 2004, she and designer Stephen Burroughs collaborated on a collection.