When it comes to modelling talent, 2015 has most certainly delivered. After hundreds of catwalk shows and countless editorials, several new and emergent faces have cropped up from across the globe that have gotten industry tongues wagging. From the Dominican Republic’s Lineisy Montero with her distinctive, natural ‘do to blonde German bombshell Anna Ewers – here are top ten models, who have caused a stir this year and are set to make waves in 2016.
Ina Maribo Jensen for Prada Resort 2016 campaignPhotography Steven Meisel
With a flaming red bob, porcelain skin and distinctive jawline, it’s hard for Ina Maribo Jensen to go unnoticed. At just 15 years old, the teen was first spotted aged 12 in her home city of Copenhagen by Scoop Models founder (and Helmut Newton’s former muse), Bente Lundquist. Earlier this year, she made her catwalk debut at the Prada SS16 menswear show – Jensen also stars in the brand’s Resort SS16 campaign, lensed by Steven Meisel.
Lineisy Montero on the cover of the Autumn 2015 issue of DazedPhotography Roe Etheridge, fashion Robbie Spencer
For her AW15 debut as a Prada exclusive, Lineisy Montero sported her (now signature) mini afro and has since become a poster girl for natural black beauty. Originally from the Dominican Republic, the former Dazed cover star was spotted at an amusement park and is now signed to NEXT Models. Last season, the 19-year-old walked for the likes of Céline, Givenchy and Miu Miu – appearing in no less than 68 shows. It comes as no surprise then, that she topped this year’s Breakout Star category as part of the Model of the Year Awards over at models.com.
Ruth Bell backstage at Versus Versace SS16Photography Lucie Rox
Thanks to her blonde buzz cut, Ruth Bell is immediately recognisable. From the picturesque town of Deal in Kent, Bell’s hair wasn’t always so shorn. Back in spring, she sported long, flowing locks for Topshop’s Summer of Love campaign which she starred in with her identical twin sister May. She shaved her head (with two days prior notice) to feature in the Alexander McQueen AW15 campaign, shot by David Sims. Since taking on such a bold new look, she’s been photographed by Hedi Slimane for Saint Laurent’s Cruise 2016 campaign and walked for the likes of Gucci and Versace.
Represented by AM Model management, German-born Adrienne Jüliger has taken the industry by storm. This past season, Jüliger donned a princess tiara at Miu Miu and lugged a suitcase around Karl Largerfeld’s makeshift airport at Chanel. Her babyface has also graced the pages of Dazed. For the Winter 2014 issue, Jüliger and fellow model Lucy Evans were shot by Pierre Debusschere and styled by Katie Shillingford, with make-up by Isamaya Ffrench, for the eccentric ‘Out of the Blue’ editorial.
Frederikke Sofie at Céline AW15via thefashionspot.com
With loose, tousled blonde curls, Frederikke Sofie looks as if she’s stepped straight out of a classical painting. After opening the Céline AW15 show in Paris as an exclusive, Sofie was chosen to feature in the brand’s campaign, which was shot by seasoned photographer Juergen Teller. The Danish model took to the runway as an exclusive for the label again last season and also walked for the likes of Tommy Hilfiger and Diesel Black Gold. Sofie and Lucan Gillespie were styled by Robbie Spencer and shot in a lavender field by Sean and Seng, for tje Autumn/Winter 2015 issue of Dazed.
Scouted at the age of 16 by Priscillas Model Management in a shopping centre in her native Sydney, Australia – Fernanda Ly knows how to turn heads. The 19-year-old brought some colour to the catwalk during the Louis Vuitton AW15 show in Paris. Dressed in an enveloping white fur coat, it was Ly’s candy floss pink hair which got industry insiders talking. Prone to dyeing her locks outlandish hues, it’s a mystery what colour she’ll rock on the runway next.
Rianne van Rompaey for the Winter 2015 issue of DazedPhotography Collier Schorr, fashion Robbie Spencer
It has been an exciting few years for the young model from Wageningen, Holland. Rianne van Rompaey made her debut for Louis Vuitton AW14 – the brand’s creative director, Nicolas Ghesquière, has had her represent the label ever since. In the same year, Steven Meisel chose her to appear alongside modelling greats such as Naomi Campbell and Jamie Bochert, for his 50th anniversary Vogue Italia cover. Lensed by Collier Schorr, van Rompaey also serves as one of four cover stars for the Winter 2015 issue of Dazed. She was chosen alongside fellow model Julia Nobis, for heralding a new generation of models.
The second Dutch native to make the list – Jamilla Hoogenboom first encountered the industry as a fashion design student. She was found on social media at age 15 by her mother agency, Micha Models and, after initial feelings of reluctancy, was encouraged to pursue a career in modelling by her friends. At 18, she’s appeared in campaigns for both Céline and Alexander McQueen, and last season walked for Alexander Wang, Acne and Rick Owens to name a few.
Anna Ewers for Chanel AW15 campaignPhotography Karl Lagerfeld
22-year-old Anna Ewers has fast made a name for herself. The blonde German model who bares an uncanny resemblance to actress Brigette Bardot, was first discovered by Alexander Wang. The designer found her photograph on a blog and sent it to casting director Anita Bitton, who made it her mission to find Ewers. She’s since landed international Vogue covers, a spot in the famous Pirelli calendar, a place in Chanel AW15 campaign and walked the runway for multiple labels. After being crowned Breakout Star last year, she won Model of the Year this time round, in the annual competition held by models.com.
American plus-size model Ryann Maegen Hoven, who professionally goes by the name Tess Holliday, has consistently championed industry body ideals. A self-described “body positive activist”, Holliday started the #effyourbeautystandards movement on Instagram in 2013 and has since accrued over 221k followers. In the same year, she was named by Vogue Italia as one of the top six plus-size models in the world. In January 2015 she was signed to Milk Model Management and became the largest plus-sized model of her height and weight to be picked up by a mainstream modelling agency.
