Meet the 14 Models You Have To Follow After Fashion Week
Photos by Sam Marie-Saint
Modeling in 2024 is about so much more than wearing clothes. Today, models are coupling activism, art, and business in ways that the ones before them never had the opportunity to. While there are hundreds of amazing models around the world, this fashion month we met with 14 of them to get to know what it's really like to work on that side of the fashion industry.
While you may recognize some of these faces from your favorite runway shows, magazine covers, advertising campaigns, or social media platforms, others are just beginning their careers. Hailing from all over the world, we had the chance to briefly meet these models in New York as they were rushing between castings, fittings, shoots, shows (still in their show hair and makeup), or right before heading to the airport.
Each model in this group comes from their own unique background and although they may share similar experiences, they have their own compelling paths that they are carving out with missions to accomplish. As Paris shows are coming to an end, they will continue on with advertising and editorial season and you're sure to see them more and more.
Although some of these faces are arguably becoming or already staples in the industry, they will tell you that this is just the beginning.
Heather Diamond Strongarm, 19, She/Her
Where are you from? Fishing Lake First Nation in Saskatchewan, Canada
How/where did you get scouted: In my reserve, there was a modeling workshop, so I went to that. A week later, I went to Calgary, Alberta to take digitals, and they sent my digitals out across Canada. Then my mother agency scouted me in Toronto when I was 16.
What do you like to do for fun? I like to bead a lot and sew. I also like to play games.
What kind of games? Mario Party on Nintendo Switch
How long have you been beading and sewing? I've been beading since I was 12 years old, and I started sewing when I was 16. I make ribbon skirts, which is a traditional clothing piece in my culture. When I'm beading, I make beaded jewelry, and I make beaded regalia for my Powwow outfits.
What do you do to pass the time if there is a long wait at a casting? I like to talk to people, and if I'm not talking to people, I like to read a book.
Do you have advice for someone who is experiencing their very first fashion week? Meditate a lot. Fashion week is sometimes draining, so you have to take care of yourself.
What is your favorite job that you have done so far? My favorite job that I've done so far is the Swarovski campaign last year. The look that they gave me for the campaign is called 'the turtle' and my great grandmother, her name Mihkinak is 'turtle' in our language.
Yumi Nu, 27, She / Her
Where are you from? Newport Beach, California
How/where did you get scouted: I guess I never really got scouted. I had my mom seek out an agency when I was in middle school. I was living in Maryland at the time so that agency helped me get an agent in New York, who helped me get an agent in LA, and here we are.
How long have you been modeling for? I've been in the industry since I was 12, but I've been working full-time since I was 19.
What do you like to do for fun? I have a clothing line, so I go to the garment district, pick up samples, and look at fabrics. I also make music.
What kind of clothing? The goal and the vision of my clothing line is to have all different types of staple pieces. Right now I'm working on trousers and elevated basics. The goal is to have completely inclusive sizing from XXS to 6X. I think the biggest problem is that (there are) extended sizes and straight sizes [out there], but there is not one collection that does all of it. Or if they do, it's a bit frumpy. We want cool, normal clothes that go all the way up and down. That is my vision, but I'm one person, self-funding, running around. It's very small and difficult.
How long have you had your clothing line? The idea sparked in 2020, and I launched in 2022. Vogue did an online feature, and I wore a piece for [Vogue's 2023] Lunar New Year [story].
What kind of music do you make? Alternative pop with lots of guitar and bass. I sing and songwrite, and my close friend Kayhan produces everything.
Do you have advice for someone who is experiencing their very first fashion week? I've actually been meeting a lot of new models this fashion week, and I can feel the anxiety. It's a very intense, intimidating industry to come into. I think that meditating and having people in your circle that keep you grounded and remind you that you are worthy no matter how your career pans out... I think with any entertainment industry, you need to touch grass... and hold on to the fact that we get to express ourselves and have fun. [My advice is] to not take yourself so seriously.
What is your favorite job that you have done so far? Definitely the American Vogue September group cover in 2021 is hard to beat for me. But honestly the last Vogue Japan cover in Okinawa was really special because I got to go to Okinawa. Vogue Japan is always my number one dream.
Leonie Steffen, 20, She / Her
Where are you from? Hamburg, Germany
How did you get scouted? I got scouted in a German drugstore in the city center when I was 14.
What did you do before you started modeling? I went to school and did a lot of sports, including Judo for 6 years.
What do you like to do for fun? I'm obsessed with sports, so when I have free time, I'm probably at the swimming pool. Besides that, I volunteer at church. There I work a lot with children and teens. We do church events or small group trips together. I like seeing how children learn and enjoy being part of a community.
What is something you like to bring or have to have with you during castings? I always have a lot with me, but I think my three essentials are lip balm, blister patches and a hairbrush.
What do you do to pass the time (during long waits at castings)? To be honest, I'm not the biggest reader. Sometimes I have a book with me, but most of the time I just let my mind wander. Or I talk to the other people waiting. That's one of the things I love about my job, being able to meet so many people from all over the world.
What is some advice you have for someone who is experiencing their very first fashion week? Don't take anything personally, you are you and you are great! That's what my agency told me at the beginning of my first season and it's so true! It is so hard not to take rejection personally, but most of the time it's about your appearance, not about who you are.
What is your favorite job you've done so far? It's hard to decide because many jobs were great in their own way. I really like it if you get to try out new roles every time. And of course, a great team on set makes every job better.
Who or what is your fashion inspiration? There is not really a specific person or time that inspires me. I just like to see what people are wearing in each city and if any color or combination catches my attention, I try to include it in my style.
Abény Nhial, 24, She / Her
Where are you from? I'm from Australia but I'm originally South Sudanese.
How/where did you get scouted: When I was younger, [people] always told me to model because I was really really tall. After I graduated high school, I thought, 'Let me apply to these modeling agencies before life gets too serious' and it all worked out.
What do you like to do for fun? I like to go hiking. I love to read. I love to sit in silence, meditate, coloring books. I love interviews too, so I watch a lot of documentaries.
What kind of documentaries? More like ancient aliens and conspiracy theories, which I like. Very ancient ancient like Mesopotamia.
Do you ever get sucked into a black hole? Every time. I feel like every week I'm in a deep black hole of something. I'm like, 'I need to know, I need to know,' but then it gets too deep and I need to stop.
What do you do to pass the time if there is a long wait at a casting? I normally listen to podcasts or audiobooks. If not, I'm probably watching something on my phone or talking to people. Sometimes we have castings or fittings for so long, when we're on our phone we get bored, so I feel like I have to talk to people and see why they're here, what's on their mind... I like to get to know people.
Do you have advice for someone who is experiencing their very first fashion week? Do your best. Don't try to be something you're not. Just be you. Show up as you, and things will go the way it's supposed to go. Trust the process. Life is not that serious. If you don't get something, you're not going to die.
What is your favorite job that you have done so far? Vogue! Vogue Japan! British Vogue! And also V Magazine... I love Dior as well. I've worked with them for so long, so I've met all the girls and made friendships. I'm still friends with them to this day.
Marina Moioli, 19, She / Her
Where are you from? Cremona, Italy
How/where did you get scouted? From TikTok... I was dancing. My agent saw me and wrote me on Instagram. I was 17 years old and with my mom when we did some video calls [with my agent before signing].
What do you like to do for fun? I like traveling and going out with my ducks. I have 6 ducks and 2 dogs.
What do you do to pass the time if there is a long wait at a casting? At castings, I really enjoy talking with other models about a range of topics, from our experiences in the industry to our personal interests and goals. Meeting new people adds a fresh energy to these days… we share ideas, support each other, develop lasting friendships and create a sense of community in the competitive world of modeling.
Do you have advice for someone who is experiencing their very first fashion week? My advice is to truly enjoy the moment and embrace being yourself. Life is full of opportunities, and while it’s natural to want to achieve your goals, it’s equally important to appreciate the journey along the way.
Remember that not every closed door has something behind it for you. If things don’t go as planned, try not to feel disappointed. This is a business of aesthetics and shouldn’t be always taken personal.
What is your favorite job that you have done so far? Alaia was my first show. I was so excited, and I loved the dress.
Who or what is your fashion inspiration? Gisele [Bunchden]. I love her so much. I think she is the best top model ever.
Divine Mugisha, 22, She / Her
Where are you from? Born in Burundi, living in Canada since 2018.
How/where did you get scouted: At the mall.
What do you like to do for fun? Spend time with friends, listen to music, watch shows, and learn on YouTube, adventurous activities: escape rooms, exploring with friends.
Do you have advice for someone who is experiencing their very first fashion week? Don't let it consume you. Don't take everything too seriously because then it's so hard to get through it. Number two: don't identify yourself with how many shows you do. Don't think that says if you're worth it or not. Remember to eat, remember to sleep... go to sleep early if you can, and try to talk and hang out with friends. Also, I think you should try to do things outside of fashion. I know it's hard with castings always going on, but it really helps to stay sane.
What is your favorite job that you have done so far? That changes a lot. Recently I've shot a campaign with Harry Lambert. That was so fun. The whole shoot was fun. The things we had to do and the team... it felt like an adventurous day. It was more acting than modeling. I can't wait for it to come out. It (will be) very soon.
Who or what is your fashion inspiration? Okay... I would say 'what' because 'who' is going to be very hard. I'm inspired by so many people. I think what I relate to is people who have had hardships in their lives and made it to some point or someplace. I admire that so much, and I relate to that because I wouldn't have known that I'd be at this stage today. That's what hits me in every story that I hear.
Sheila Bawar, 21, She / Her
Where are you from? Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
How/where did you get scouted: I was with my mom and twin sisters. [A scout] saw the three of us and asked to take some photos. My mom, in the beginning, didn’t like the idea because it was a stranger asking to take photos of her children, but then she said it was okay.
How long have you been modeling? Since I was 13 but just in Brazil. I didn't start traveling until last year.
What do you like to do for fun? I paint with acrylic on canvas. I like to play chess with my friends.
What do you like to paint? I paint everything. I paint [landscapes]. I paint animals. I paint people. I paint everything that comes to my mind. I [paint] when I'm stressed or anxious. I go to museums [often] with my friends. That's why I started to paint on canvas... because I was inspired by museums.
How long have you been painting? Since I was 10. I [have been doing it] for a long, long time.
What do you do to pass the time if there is a long wait at a casting? I read a book, I finished Kindred by Octavia E. Butler during a GoSee. If the line is long I put one side of the headphones on low sound. I have a playlist called ‘Waiting Room’ just for castings. It usually has music that keeps me in a good mood.
Do you have advice for someone who is experiencing their very first fashion week? Go to the castings with a shoe that you are already familiar with because it is easier to adapt to the walking style that the client wants. Get as much sleep as possible. You will need energy to handle the schedule of castings, fittings, and shows. And most importantly, don't take anything personally, a ‘no’ now can become a ‘yes’ later, that's how the industry works. Keep your head on straight and keep looking for ways to improve yourself.
What is your favorite job that you have done so far? W Magazine was my favorite. I liked that it [transformed] me because I like to see myself in different ways. I like the way I am, but I like to see different sides of me. That's why I [model] because I think it's fun. I like the way I can change my body and my face.
Who or what is your fashion inspiration? Naomi [Campbell]. Gisele [Bundchen] because she comes from the same country as me.
Summer Dirx, 17, She / Her
Where are you from? I am from Montclair, NJ, but I moved to Miami 2 years ago.
How/where did you get scouted: My friend sent me an Instagram reel for an open call in Miami. I waited in a line for 2 hours and then was signed. I was 16 at the time, and then I came to New York and got signed. Now I'm doing my first season in New York, which is really exciting.
How is your first season going so far? I did Alaia two nights ago, which was so fun. They put me in this forty-pound coat, and it was definitely a workout because we had to go around nine spirals. They had me in these plastic, morphed-to-the-foot shoes... there was one other girl in the same shoe. When we got to the bottom floor at the rehearsal, our feet were bleeding. We got to change shoes [for the show]. [Laughs.] It's been fun! I love it. I love all of it. It's fun to go to castings and wear expensive clothes, see beautiful women, and go to beautiful places.
What were you doing before you started modeling? Before I started modeling, I was a typical teenage girl. I struggled in school, I went out for boba and to thrift stores with my friends, went to a few parties, got lots of bruises skateboarding, and dated guys who were a waste of my time. The usual.
What do you like to do for fun? I'm still in high school right now, so I'm definitely really busy with school, modeling, and shows. Other than that, I really love fashion. I have an obsession with lingerie. I want to go into that after, like contour design. I love to skateboard. I grew up skateboarding so that's always been a back-of-the-head thing but now I can't get bruises so I really have to schedule out when I can skate. I also grew up playing a ton of sports. Anything you can imagine, I would do it for a while until I'd get bored and start the next one. I've done everything like hockey, swimming, soccer... everything. I'm very active.
Do you have advice for someone who is experiencing their very first fashion week? The biggest one is that if you don't get booked for something, it's not necessarily because it's personal, it's because you didn't fit the brand. It has definitely been important because I'm 17 so things are always more heightened emotionally. I'm also on a lot of estrogen because I'm trans so everything is more intense for me. I left high school to do this... I'm online now. There are all sorts of factors that are stressful and to know that it's not your fault if you don't book something, it's not personal to you or how you look, and it's just the brand is really good reinforcement to hear.
Quannah ChasingHorse, 22, She / Her, They / Them
Where are you from? I am Hän Gwich'in from Eagle Village, Alaska and Oglala and Sicangu Lakota from the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota.
How/where did you get scouted: I was scouted through my advocacy work. In 2020, there was the big (presidential) election, as we are experiencing again now. Then, I was doing a lot of 'Get Out the Native Vote' and 'Get Out the Vote' work. I was scouted by a casting director who was casting a Calvin Klein campaign around voting. When that came out, I signed with IMG shortly after and started working quite quickly.
What do you do to pass the time if there is a long wait at a casting? I love Pinterest, so I make random moodboards all the time. I'm usually doing that or listening to music. I've been trying to get back into reading. I used to read a lot. My friend gave me a poetry book not that long ago. It was really sweet she did that because she knows that I really enjoy poetry. I would write poetry and translate that into a song, so that's how I made music.
I didn't know that you had a musical side! I love it. It's not something that I post about, but it definitely has a huge influence on my life. It's definitely more for myself. It's not something that I like to share too much because any time I do, people are like 'Sing for me!' and I'm like ‘Noooooo.’
Who or what is your fashion inspiration? I feel like I get inspired by a lot of different people. The top three... because I would have a hard time choosing between these three are Kayla Lookinghorse, who I just modeled for, is a Native American designer and she handmakes everything herself. Beads everything, sews everything... she is so incredibly talented, and her work is so exquisite. Every time I see her work, I am in awe. Yasmeen [Ghauri], she is such an iconic model. Every time I think about runway, I think about how she dominated every runway she was on. I love watching the 90's runway moments. They're some of my favorites to watch and so iconic. Her walk is just phenomenal, and she is someone I've studied. Gorgeous. And then... I know this is silly but my mom. She's just a bush woman but her style is very much so functionable fashion. I always grew up having nice, quality stuff. They looked good and we were able to use them for the lifestyle that we lived. I feel like I play into that a lot. I really bring out my Native American culture with the jewelry that I wear. But also, my clothes [are] very tomboyish. My pants have a lot of pockets, I wear a lot of boy clothes... I like to wear things that I will use, like actually use use. That is one thing that I think about a lot... functional fashion... how you can use this as a statement piece and something that we can use for a greater purpose. I know she's my mom, but she has really shaped and inspired me to show up the way that I do.
Ali Dansky, 19, She / Her
Where are you from? I was born and raised in Washington state and still currently live in Tacoma, Washington.
How did you get scouted? Originally I started modeling because me and my mom wanted to try something new at the time. We considered modeling because it was similar to dance, which I was doing at the time. Everything managed to work out, and it just so happened that one of my dance teachers was with an agency in Seattle close to where I live and they are my mother agent till this day.
What did you do before you started modeling? Before modeling, I was a full-time dancer, as full-time as it gets without being in the professional dancing world. I danced from the age of 2-15 and competed in dance for over 8 years. Dance was and is still a passion for me now. Although I don’t actively dance anymore, I miss it every day.
What do you like to do for fun? A new hobby I have picked up as of recent has been watercolor painting. Unfortunately, art is not my thing and I’m not a very skilled painter, but I think with time I will be good.
What is something you have to have with you during castings? My number one essential at a casting recently has been hair ties, even if I don’t need one, someone in the room will.
What do you do to pass the time (during long waits)? My new favorite thing to do to pass time at castings is playing on my iPad, my favorite thing to do is play crossword. It keeps me and everyone around me entertained for longer than you would think.
What is some advice you have for someone who is experiencing their very first fashion week? My advice for someone who is going through their first season would be to go with the flow. As hard as it is waiting to hear news and feedback from castings, callbacks, and fittings, letting things go the way they're meant to go is always best. What’s meant to happen will happen at the right time.
Who or what is your fashion inspiration? I can’t choose just one person that is my fashion inspiration, I have to give credit to everyone around me: other models, designers, people on the street in different cities. It’s always amazing to constantly see everyone’s creativity when it comes to fashion. Taking little things here and there that I see brings me the most inspiration.
Mathieu Simoneau, 23, He/Him
Where are you from? Born in Toronto, Canada; grew up in Carmel, Indiana.
How/where did you get scouted? At Veld Music Festival in Toronto in 2017, officially signed in 2018
What were you doing before you started modeling? I was a dishwasher at Bub's Burgers and Ice Cream in Carmel, Indiana, where I had to clean up people's puke. $7.25! After tax it was a cool, crisp $5/hour, which even back in 2016 was crazy.
What do you do to pass the time if there is a long wait at a casting? I always bring my phone with me. This fashion week I've been obsessed with Industry on HBO. I haven't been hooked on an HBO show like this since Euphoria in 2019. It's hooked me more than Sopranos; it's hooked me more than Game of Thrones. It's about this finance team in London, so it's got that Succession finance jargon with high-pressure, anxiety-ridden episodes. So when a casting director comes out and says the wait is about half an hour, I say, 'Easy, I'll just crank out an episode of Industry.' Also, when you've been modeling for six years, you just know almost every model in the room from new faces to absolute veterans, so [you] always have someone to talk to if you want... [like] people that I grew up with. In Milan, I spent the time in the Armani line with Kohei [Takabatake], someone who was there at my first show and then was there in Milan this year... six years later! I've grown up with that guy.
What is your favorite job that you have done so far? That's so tough because they're all so different. I will say it has felt extra special to shoot the two editorials in Korea, even though I was only there for 18 or 20 hours. Returning to my home country which I've never been to was extra special for me. It was very cool being there.
Who or what is your fashion inspiration? My girlfriend asked me that on the way here. She asked me if I could swap closets with any other model, who would it be? And I said Xu Meen. Every time I look at that guy, his fits are always a ten. He's always looking extremely nice.
Jiahui Zhang, 19, She / Her
Where are you from? Guangzhou, China
How/where did you get scouted: My Chinese scout found me in a modeling competition two years ago when I finished high school. I don't know [why], maybe because I'm very tall but many people have told me, 'you need to be a model.'
How was the competition? Very good because I won.
What do you like to do for fun? In my spare time I like to travel with my family, drink coffee, listen to music, explore new spots by myself. I love New York and London coffee shops. They're very nice.
What do you do to pass the time if there is a long wait at a casting? Talk with my friends or read a book.
Do you have advice for someone who is experiencing their very first fashion week? Be yourself.
What is your favorite job that you have done so far? Being a Gucci [exclusive] model. Last year, I just did [only] Gucci shows. That was very fun.
Who or what is your fashion inspiration? I love Vittoria [Ceretti].
Celina Ralph, 24, She/Her
Where are you from? Hastings, England
How/where did you get scouted? I got scouted at a Jessie J concert when I was 15.
When did you start modeling? I got signed quite young and did jobs here and there [for] Ecomm and high street brand jobs but not full-time because I was in school and also didn't really know if I wanted to do modeling. I went full-time when I was 20 and shaved my hair off.
What made you shave your head? Was it for a job? That was completely for me. I had to convince my agency to let me do it. They were apprehensive about it for a really long time.
What do you like to do for fun? I like to do so much stuff, like so much. For fun, I love to travel. I love exploring new places. Anything spontaneous, I'm super down for. Anything like hiking, adventures, dancing. I love all of it.
Where do you want to travel next? I have a bucket list. Number one for me is Brazil. I'm waiting to go because it's going to be a big trip... I have a feeling. It's going to be a special one.
What do you do to pass the time if there is a long wait at a casting? Watch something on my phone or usually there will be a friend so we'll just chat.
Do you have advice for someone who is experiencing their very first fashion week? Breathe. Don't take it all too seriously or personally. It doesn't define you if you don't get jobs.
What is your favorite job that you have done so far? I love anything outside. The McQueen campaign was one of the most memorable because it was just wild. It was at 5 am because the light had to be just right, and the mud was so cold. It was so worth it though.
Who or what is your fashion inspiration? You know what? I think about this question a lot. In terms of fashion, I love to mix masculine dressing with feminine dressing. Girls who wear baggy clothing and don't [dress] for the male gaze. That's really cool. Any girl who is wearing an outfit that is authentic to them. In terms of people, Rihanna, FKA twigs, Helena Bonham Carter. I like people who dress eccentric and unique.
Alex Consani, 21, She / Her
Where are you from? Bay Area
How did you get scouted? Facebook
What do you like to do for fun? Art of any kind and recently rhythmic gymnastics
What do you do to pass the time (during long waits)? Subway surfers
What is some advice you have for someone who is experiencing their very first fashion week? Be confident, no one can knock down someone who knows they are fab.
What is your favorite job you've done so far? I couldn’t even pick, probably a show that was a performance.
Who or what is your fashion inspiration? Candy Darling and all of the girls that came before me.
Credits
Senior Talent Casting Manager Gabrielle Seo
Photographer Sam Marie-Saint
Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue
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