Meet the 10 Breakout Models of Spring 2022
After a year of virtual shows and lookbooks, fashion month returned to form with the spring 2022 collections. The return of real world events and international travel allowed new models to make their mark on the runways of New York, London, Milan, and Paris, and contribute to the renewed optimism and sense of possibility that defined the season.
Runway models tended to be anonymous in the early aughts, but modern casting is all about personality. Whether they share a moniker with one of music’s biggest stars, have a name that calls to mind royalty, or happen to be the year’s breakout star, the most notable models of the season were exceptional. Artists, aspiring doctors, theater geeks, or stylish surfers, they’re all well worth remembering. Below, a guide to the ten new models who enlivened the season’s collections.
Photo: GoRunway.com1/10América Gonzalez
Age: 24
Agency: Supreme Management
Hometown: Caracas, Venezuela
Season Highlights: Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Loewe, Prada
If América Gonzalez hadn’t listened to her sister, the Venezuelan rising star never would have found her way onto the runway. During Gonzalez’s second year of medical school at the Central University of Venezuela, her sibling heard about an open call in Caracas and pushed her to attend. Gonzalez was immediately scouted, and though she still plans on eventually finishing up her degree and becoming a doctor, she’s currently enjoying plenty of success in fashion. This season, she booked one top show after another and became a favorite amongst street style photographers.
Photo: GoRunway.com2/10Beyoncé Ambrose
Age: 19
Agency: The Lions
Hometown: Osbourn, Antigua and Barbuda
Season Highlights: Valentino, Marni, AZ Factory, Proenza Schouler
Given the performer that 19-year-old Antiguan newcomer Beyoncé Ambrose is named after, she was destined to do big things. The daughter of Sir Curtly Ambrose, an Cricket icon, Beyoncé could have followed her father’s footsteps into sports, but her passions lie in performance—in fashion and beyond. A theater major at Georgia State University and a YouTube personality, Ambrose excels in front of the camera. At shows like Valentino, Lanvin, and Proenza Schouler, she showed the world that there’s more than one Beyoncé worth paying attention to.
Photo: Getty Images3/10Devyn Garcia
Age: 19
Agency: DNA Models
Hometown: Miami Beach, Florida
Season Highlights: Gabriela Hearst, Brandon Maxwell, Altuzarra, Chloé
When it comes to size inclusivity, fashion talks a big game, but rarely allows models who aren’t a sample size to have their moment in the limelight. Still, one of the bright spots of spring 2022 was the emergence of Devyn Garcia, a Floridian beauty who made her way into the casts of prestige shows like Altuzarra, Brandon Maxwell, and Chloé. Garcia’s commercial work was already impressive—she counts brands like Victoria’s Secret, and Nordstrom as regular clients—but she introduced herself to a whole new audience during the shows. Thanks to her natural beauty and confident presence, we’re sure to be seeing a lot more of her shortly.
Photo: GoRunway.com4/10Lina Cruz
Age: 19Agency: Women Management
Hometown: Santiago, Dominican RepublicSeason Highlights: Versace, Loewe, Acne Studios, Saint Laurent Three years ago, Dominican beauty Lina Cruz took it upon herself to head to a casting in her hometown and was immediately signed by Luis Menieur, the designer-turned agency owner who discovered Vogue favorite Arlenis Sosa. Cruz arrived on the international scene with a stellar debut at Versace’s spring/summer 2022 collection heading onto the runway moments after Dua Lipa. From there, Cruz went on to walk key shows like Saint Laurent, Loewe, Alexander McQueen, and the star-studded tribute to Alber Elbaz at AZ Factory. With her dramatic high cheekbones and graceful strut, the 19-year-old newcomer was a compelling presence on the runway, and her success is poised to carry over into campaign season.
