In the age of social media, landing a coveted runway exclusive is no longer the sole way for a new face to distinguish herself during fashion month. While a prime spot at Prada or Givenchy will always turn heads, modeling can’t be reduced to a numbers game. In other words: It isn’t enough to walk the walk—you have to stand out from the pack.
The Fall 2019 shows were dominated by young people who did just that. Among this bright new crop, you’ll find entrepreneurs, content creators, and beauties for whom an impressive list of shows only tells one part of the story. Here, the models of the season share what fashion month was like for them.
Giselle Norman (New York: Women Management / London: Storm Models)
No one can match Giselle Norman when it comes to runway mileage this season. Though she first made her mark opening JW Anderson’s Fall 2018 show a year earlier, Norman celebrated her 18th year with a truly terrific run on the Fall 2019 schedule. “[It’s] much more than I could have hoped for,” said Norman speaking from her home in Petworth, West Sussex. “I have felt such a huge amount of support from everybody—my agents, the designers, stylists, casting directors, other models, makeup artists, and hairdressers, all the behind-the-scenes teams that never get acknowledged but are exceptionally hardworking.”
Make no mistake, walking 38 shows in four cities takes tenacity. “I have never worked so hard in my life and enjoyed it so much,” said Norman. “It sounds silly but after feeling ready to come home to relax, there is a part of me that is really missing everybody and the crazy magic of it all. I have so many brilliant memories that it is honestly impossible to pick one.”
Ugbad Abdi (Next Management)
Like many students, rising Somali star Ugbad Abdi took a gap year after high school to fulfill her personal goals. But rather than backpacking across Europe, Abdi decided to give modeling a try and quickly became one of the season’s standouts walking Miu Miu, Valentino, Off-White, and opening Marc Jacobs. “I started my Fashion Week by feeling really fearful because I didn’t know what to expect,” she said. “It has been a roller coaster of surprises.”
As a Muslim woman who chooses to wear a hijab, Abdi was initially apprehensive about the many requirements of her newfound career and the potential conflict with her dress code. “I already knew that [it] would be much easier for me to walk for shows in comparison to the Spring collections when it comes to my modesty,” said Abdi who was happy to find her place in fashion while staying true to herself. “I’ve met so many amazing people backstage at shows—I can’t wait to do it all again next season!”
Aliet Sarah (Storm Models)
For Aliet Sarah, fashion month was about more than clothes. “This season has been a manifestation of hope, ambition, dreams coming true,” shared the 18-year-old South Sudanese star via email. “Above all [it has been a] revelation that Africa is the future and models of color are being appreciated more, which is giving all my African sisters out there hope that one day their dreams will come true.”
Based in Uganda, Sarah had long dreamed of her moment in the spotlight, so when the opportunity arose to model in Europe she seized it. “I took every casting call as if I was already booked for their runway jobs,” she said. “Every time my bookers sent the casting call for these designers, I got goosebumps and my mind would automatically tell me: ‘Aliet, we got this!’ ” Her confidence paid off on the runway for Saint Laurent, Miu Miu, Dries Van Noten, and Versace, and she hopes her work can inspire others. “[This is] an honor and at the same time a new responsibility for me,” she said. “I’ll be forever grateful to everyone who believed in me—I strongly believe the journey has just begun.”
Ana Barbosa (Wilhelmina)
Before her debut at JW Anderson, Brazilian newcomer Ana Barbosa already had a sense of how far modeling could take her. Barbosa had just finished up a stint in Shanghai learning the ropes of the industry and traveling nearly 12,000 miles from her hometown of Uberaba, Minas Gerais. Handpicked by casting director Ashley Brokaw to close the show, Barbosa carried that momentum through the remainder of the season to Prada, Dior, Loewe, and Zendaya’s thrilling Tommy Hilfiger collection. “I started this season with my heart full of hope,” shared Barbosa. “I confess I am surprised with all of my progress. Everything was wonderful—each moment [added] a special touch to my career.”
Chai Maximus (DNA)
If there were a prize for best name in modeling, Chaikra Shanti “Chai” Maximus would win, hands down. Elegant yet offbeat, the 18-year-old Belgian newcomer made an impression at Loewe, Maison Margiela, and Christopher Kane. With multiple piercings and an ear gauge, Maximus brought a stylish edge to collections like Dior. A travel enthusiast who has been to Japan, India, and Spain all in the last few months, she headed into show season ready to explore. “It was my first full on season, so it was very busy!” she said. “I met a lot of cool new people and enjoyed doing shows with the friends I made last time. I’m looking forward to what the future will bring!”
Carolina Burgin (The Society Management)
For 19-year-old Buffalo, New York, native Carolina Burgin, the most memorable moments of fashion month happened backstage. At Proenza Schouler, where she did looks for the entire collection, Burgin was moved by the enthusiasm of designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez. “The energy in the room was so euphoric and seeing how emotional Jack and Lazaro were filled me with so much joy,” shared Burgin who immediately jetted off to walk the three other shows on her schedule that day. “I was feeling a bit tired, but after Proenza I was beyond ready to finish the rest.”
Also appearing for Lanvin, Dior, Altuzarra, and Chloé, Burgin made the most of her time on the catwalk. “There is always a rush after I walk each show, and nothing else comes close to that,” she said. “The season was crazy! Overall it was a dream getting to walk for so many amazing brands for the first time.”
Kerolyn Soares (IMG)
Even before Kerolyn Soares ever thought of gracing the runway, fashion was on her mind. Growing up in Mato Grosso do Sul in Brazil, she dreamed of being a designer. “We lived on a farm and didn’t have much money. I only had one doll, but didn’t have any clothes for it,” said Soares. “I always wanted to dress her up, so one day I decided to cut chunks from my own clothes to make dresses for my doll!”
The experiment may have shocked her parents, but it cemented her love of style. Now 24, Soares was front and center at the biggest shows walking for Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, and Saint Laurent just like her favorite supermodel Gisele Bündchen did during her breakthrough season. “I’ve always looked up to her,” says Soares, whose first trip outside of Brazil has been a resounding success. “I can’t wait for next season—I’m ready for round two!”
Kukua Williams (DNA)
Discovered at a music festival in England last May, Kukua Williams has experienced a complete 180 in only a matter of months. “From supermarket bakery counter to runway—this season has been life-changing for me!” Williams told Vogue. A standout at shows like Louis Vuitton, Stella McCartney, and Coach, Williams was a dynamic new presence who held her own opposite some of fashion’s biggest names. Somehow in the midst of all this, Williams found time to create A Mixed World, an online platform centered on racial identity and community.
While every collection she walked during fashion month provided its own thrills, Williams’s standout experience came courtesy of Michael Kors. The disco glamour of his Fall show came complete with a Barry Manilow performance and Williams strutting in head-to-toe sequins for what Kors called “a Diana Ross moment.”
Noah Carlos (IMG)
Noah Carlos was building a fashion empire long before setting foot on a runway. The 18-year-old nonbinary beauty from Orange County, California, is the force behind the popular Depop boutique, Loserthrift, a one-stop shop for SoCal vintage. “I’m not the designer of my clothes, but I’m the curator of my shop, so I find inspiration [and] pull pieces,” said Carlos. “It was interesting to see something similar with designers; they have an inspiration board that they work around and then make it happen—on a much larger scale!”
An exclusive spot at Alexander Wang’s Collection 2 back in December first put Carlos on the industry’s radar, and since then it’s been nonstop shows—Maison Margiela, Helmut Lang, and Dries Van Noten to name a few. With the “crazy, fun, and tiring” debut season officially wrapped, Carlos is ready for Spring. “[It was] so fun to be a part of shows I have been watching for years, such a surreal moment, from my bed to the runway!” they shared via email.
Primrose Archer (The Lions)
Though she may have had a British Vogue cover under her belt and ads for Marc Jacobs, Primrose Archer was a newcomer to the runway this season. From buzzy brands like Tomo Koizumi and Matty Bovan to mainstays like Michael Kors and Valentino, the 18-year-old beauty walked every kind of fashion show imaginable. For Archer, who grew up with nine siblings in the idyllic countryside town of Upper Arley in Worcestershire, England, the best part of job has been the reaction back home. “[I love] the feeling of achievement every time I get to the end of the runway or finish a shoot,” she said. “Just seeing how proud my family, especially my mom, gets at even the smallest things I do brings me a lot of joy.”
Tang He (Next Management)
Living out of a suitcase is part of the job for models, and for Tang He, the 18-year-old Chinese star who was everywhere this season, the last few months have been packed with adventure. A chameleon who can channel everything from Simone Rocha’s overt prettiness to Hedi Slimane’s ’70s cool, she was first spotted on the runway at Dior’s Shanghai couture show last March. Her collections experience didn’t disappoint. “I’ve become more independent in traveling around the Fashion Week cities and feel very lucky to have been given this opportunity,” she said via email from Paris.
George Midgley (Women Management)
Australia mints modeling stars, and its latest is George Midgley, a versatile newcomer who excels at bringing luxury fantasies to life. On the runway, she transformed into one of Dior’s bucket-hat-clad ingénues and a Vuitton New Wave rockstar and even shared the catwalk with former high school classmate Julia Nobis at Longchamp. Though she’s been posing for the last few years, Fall gave Midgley a glimpse at the inner workings of the biggest brands. “Being able to walk in the shows I did this season was incredible in so many ways; namely being able to see the creative process,” Midgley told Vogue. I’m grateful and honestly surprised to have been given the opportunity to be around such inspiring and unique designers and [talented] people.”
Chun Jin (Ford)
How many models can say their big break started with an extracurricular? When newcomer Chun Jin was at university back home in China, she joined her school’s modeling club, and her classmates were so impressed they encouraged her to pursue fashion. After a fellow student posted her images on social media, she was signed almost immediately. No longer a hobbyist, she was everywhere during the Fall collections appearing at Prada, Saint Laurent, Fendi and a host of others. To go from walking the quad to gracing the biggest runways on earth might be nerve-racking for some, but the beauty from Ningde wasn’t phased. “I was really excited to walk some top shows; I [now] have amazing memories!” she said. “I am so lucky and happy about my debut season.”
Liz Kennedy (Fusion)
Success doesn’t happen overnight and many models spend years working toward their goals. A 20-year-old Liz Kennedy may have been discovered in 2014, but she experienced something of a breakthrough this season with appearances at The Row, Elie Saab, and Isabel Marant. “I finally got my chance to walk the runway with some of the biggest names in fashion, which felt unreal at times!” says Kennedy.
Kennedy’s influence went beyond the runway. After spotting a hoodie with pulls tied into the shape of a noose during a Burberry fitting, she took to Instagram. “Suicide is not fashion. It is not glamorous nor edgy,” wrote Kennedy in her post. The move prompted an apology from the brand and the launch of several diversity initiatives. It’s rare for a model to speak up, especially in the middle of fashion month, and Kennedy’s call-out opened up a difficult but necessary conversation.