Riggs' career in modeling began by accident when posing for a class project for his friend, a photography student. The friend's Teacher suggested that Riggs pursue an actual career in modeling, and in 2007, Riggs signed with Red Model Management and moved to New York City. Since then, Riggs has been featured as an "exciting new face" and "model of the week" by Models.com. He was ranked at number seven on Forbes.com's June 2009 list of the most successful male Models. He has also been featured as a style inspiration on the New York Times style blog The Moment. Riggs debuted at Gaetano Navarra in Milan during Milan Fashion Week F/W 2008-2009 and opened his first show - Neil Barrett. Since then he has walked the runway for the most important brands and designers like Alessandro Dell'Acqua, Alexander McQueen, Costume National, DKNY, Givenchy, Gucci, Hermès, Kenzo, Louis Vuitton, Marni, Moschino and Thierry Mugler. He appeared on the cover of Sportswear International, GQ Style Russia, Contributing Editor and inside magazines such as Wonderland, V, VMAN, Another Man, Details, i-D, Numero Homme, L'Officiel Hommes, GQ and 10+ Magazine, as well as in print ad campaigns for Louis Vuitton, D&G, Topman, Ray-Ban, Diesel, Sisley, Bershka, Raoul Fashion, william Rast for Target and Converse by John Varvatos.

He studied acting under the prestigious acting Teacher william Esper at the william Esper Studio. He has aspirations of becoming an actor, something that played into the decision of moving to Los Angeles from New York. His first serious production, the short film entitled The Truth In Being Right, directed by Benjamin Eck, has been released in 2012.