Russell has appeared in photoshoots for American and European fashion magazines like Vogue, Numéro, and W. She is an active endorser and is associated with brands including Calvin Klein, Armani, Louis Vuitton, and Benetton.

Since beginning her modeling career part-time at the age of 16, Russell has worked with numerous successful photographers including Steven Meisel, Craig McDean, and Nick Knight among others, in such magazines as American, French, Italian, Spanish, German and Japanese Vogue, W, Self Service and Numéro.

[10] She has featured in advertising campaigns for companies including Ann Taylor, Benetton, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Armani, Oscar de la Renta, and Yves Saint Laurent.

[10] Russell has featured in runway fashion shows for designers including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Marc Jacobs, Versace, Vivienne Westwood, Ralph Lauren, Victoria's Secret, and Diane von Fürstenberg.

[17] In October 2017, Russell contributed to the #MeToo campaign by reaching out to other models, colleagues, and friends, asking for their personal experiences with harassment and exploitation.

She used her platform on her Instagram[18] to anonymously post their testimonies in an attempt to bring further awareness to the sexual harassment many face but never speak up about.