Kickstarting discussions about race in fashion, theatrically hobbling down the runway, and getting a break in modelling aged 27 while studying for an MBA in India – at the AW15 shows, a whole new class of models took centre stage. As for designers, casting proved key to pushing their visions to new, unexpected heights as they played with our assumptions about the women who represented their houses. Wondering who’s about to make it big? We’ve revisited the runways, stalked the social media accounts, and handpicked the models you need to know now.
ANETA PAJAK
Aneta Pajak (Viva) at Maison Margiela AW15via style.com
Lineisy Montero (Next) backstage Prada AW15Photography Virginia Arcaro
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The 19-year-old – who hails from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic – became one of the most talked-about new faces this season after the Spanish-speaking model walked for the likes of Prada, Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga and Stella McCartney.
Breakout moment:
First appearing on the runway at Prada after casting director Ashley Brokaw introduced her to Miuccia Prada – igniting discussions on the absence of natural afro hair on the runway.
Model behaviour:
From selfies at the Eiffel Tower to grotty hotel balcony views – see the model documenting her adventures in Paris on her Instagram.
STELLA LUCIA
Stella Lucia (Viva) backstage at Alexander McQueen AW15Photography Lea Colombo
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Austrian model Stella Lucia (Viva Model Management) is a rising star and favourite of Riccardo Tisci. As well as starring in two Givenchy campaigns, Lucia has stormed the runway for the fashion powerhouse, as well as walking for the likes of Chanel, McQueen, Fendi and Versace.
Willow Hand (New Version) backstage at Prada AW15Photography Virginia Arcaro
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Scouted age 12, Florida native Willow Hand has been waiting to make her way down the catwalk. With a contract with top New York agency The Lions, the angelic model seems to have found fans in Miuccia Prada and casting director Ashley Brokaw, who helped get her on the runway for Prada.
Breakout moment:
Stepping out in an acid-green neoprene suit, opening Prada AW15.
Model behaviour:
Hanging out backstage for a special Miu Miu presentation in Japan.
ANNIKA KRIJT
Annika Krijt (Elite) backstage at Donna Karan AW15Photography Dillon Sachs
Aya Jones (The Lions) backstage at Prada AW15Photography Virginia Arcaro
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Represented by The Lions, the model was scouted on the streets of Paris, her hometown. This season saw her cement her credentials as one of the best new faces out there – she walked for Miu Miu, Alexander McQueen, Dior and Valentino.
Breakout moment:
Securing an exclusive at Prada SS15, walking out among purple sand dunes.
Liza Ostanina (Next) backstage at Prada AW15 menswearPhotography Virginia Arcaro
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Discovered on social media in Russia by her mother agency, Liza Ostanina (Next) was subseqently scouted on a Japanese blog by the casting director of Prada. She has since been seen at Givenchy AW15, and on the runways for Alexander McQueen and Lanvin.
A quick stalk through her Instagram demonstrates the model’s wit – that is, if you understand her native tounge.
FERNANDA LY
Fernanda Ly at Louis Vuitton AW15via tumblr.com
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Scouted in an Australian shopping centre by Priscilla's Model Management (Sydney) in 2013, Ly began experimenting with hair dye when she was just 15 – her locks have been variations of lavender, silver and blue – but it was the 18-year-old’s cotton-candy hair which caught the industry’s attention.
Kawaii queen Fernanda fills her Instagram with her love of mirror selfies, and her pastel hair is the subject of attention wherever she is in the world.
Hailing from Luanda, Angola, newcomer Estevao scored a runner-up position in the Elite Model Look Angola competition in 2013 at the age of 14. Now represented by The Society, she has racked up shows for the likes of Prada, Burberry, Balenciaga and J.W.Anderson.
Bhumika Arora (Elite) backstage at Bottega Veneta AW15Photography Virginia Arcaro
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Rare for an industry where many models begin their careers in their teens, Bhumika Arora signed a contract with Elite aged 27 when studying for an MBA in Chandigarh, India after her picture was spotted by a photographer in a local newspaper. Since her first catwalk show in February 2014 for Dries Van Noten, the model has walked for Balmain, Pucci, Viktor & Rolf and Gareth Pugh – breaking a glass ceiling for south Asian women, so rarely spotted on the runway.
Breakout moment:
Being invited by Olivier Rousteing, one of fashion’s most prominent champions of diversity, to join his Balmain army.
Astrid Holler (IMG) backstage at Dries Van Noten AW15Photography Virginia Arcaro
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Scouted at a shopping mall by IMG Sydney age 15, Australian native Astrid Holler walked two seasons for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in her home country before landing her debut gig at NYFW. This season, the 6’0” model walked for the likes of Burberry Prorsum, Dries Van Noten, Chanel and ACNE.
On vacation in London, 22-year-old NYC native Marland Backus unexpectedly found herself dragged into the agency representing the bunch of male models she was crashing with through Airbnb. She has since walked for Gucci, Altuzarra, Victoria Beckham and Rodarte.
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