Supermodel Gigi Hadid says she had every right to defend herself after she furiously lashed out at a man while leaving a fashion show in Milan when he grabbed her from behind and tried to pick her up.

The 21-year-old is in the Italian city for Milan Fashion Week and was leaving the Max Mara show earlier today, which she took part in.

However, as the model made her way to a waiting car hand in hand with her sister Bella, the man, believed to be serial prankster Vitalii Sediuk, grabbed her taking her by surprise and forcing her to fight him off.