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The Breakout Models of Fashion Month to Know Now
Olivia Jansing backstage at Public School. Photo: Getty Images
During fashion month, everyone's looking for a new face — fortunately, the runways rarely disappoint. After spending the last few weeks looking at show photos pretty much nonstop, we've been making lists of all the up-and-coming models who have been kicking ass left and right, all the way from New York City to Paris. Some of them have walked runway shows before — as exclusives, or during resort and couture — but for all these young ladies, spring 2016 marked their breakout season. And while it's hard to predict the whims of this particular industry, we'd say with some confidence that many of these women are going places.
Without further ado, please meet the class of spring 2016.
Olivia Jansing (Next)
Olivia Jansing on the runway at Balenciaga. Photo: Imaxtree
This Long Island-native had a huge month, walking major New York shows like Alexander Wang, Rag & Bone, Public School and Calvin Klein before heading off to Europe to appear everywhere from Burberry and Fendi to Versace, Balenciaga and Valentino. But with bone structure like that, are you really surprised?
Karly Loyce (Women)
Karly Loyce on the runway at Calvin Klein. Photo: Imaxtree
With a smattering of appearances at the fall 2015 couture shows under her belt — along with a couple of major print gigs, like Céline's fall campaign and an i-D cover this summer — Karly Loyce crushed it at fashion month. We're talking Diane Von Furstenberg, Oscar de la Renta, Giles, Marc Jacobs, Chanel, Alexander McQueen, Dolce & Gabbana... you get the picture.
Rianne Van Rompaey (DNA)
Rianne Van Rompaey on the runway at Rag & Bone. Photo: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images
Van Rompaey, who hails from the Netherlands, has been around for a few seasons now, walking Prada and Louis Vuitton as an exclusive for spring 2015, as well as appearing in both Vuitton's spring campaign and a Chanel fragrance ad. But while she isn't exactly a new face, this was the first season that she truly took the catwalks by storm, landing a string of golden gigs including Jason Wu, Altuzarra, Diane Von Furstenberg, Rag & Bone, Marc Jacobs, Coach, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Gucci and Prada.
Wangy Xinyu (Next)
Wangy Xinyu on the runway at
In her first season, Wangy Xinyu — who's listed on Next's new faces board as simply "Wangy" — fully killed it, walking a host of major shows like Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, Alexander McQueen and Lanvin.
Alice Metza (The Society)
Alice Metza on the runway at Proenza Schouler. Photo: Imaxtree
After booking a few big shows for fall 2015 (Prada, Proenza Schouler), Alice Metza brought it for spring 2016, landing on the runways at Alexander Wang, Marc Jacobs, Altuzarra, Moschino, Miu Miu, Lanvin and Valentino. Oh, and Prada. Don't forget about Prada.
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Peyton Knight (IMG)
Peyton Knight on the runway at Gucci. Photo: Imaxtree
The haircut that launched, if not a thousand ships, then certainly one modeling career. After letting hairstylist Guido Palau chop her chest-length hair into a shaggy bowl cut backstage at Alexander Wang, Peyton Knight went on to have an incredible season, walking (among others) J.W. Anderson, Marc Jacobs, Acne, Fendi, Prada and, most memorably, Gucci. Drastic haircuts can be risky, but when they work out, nothing is more winning.
Ruth Bell (The Society)
Ruth Bell on the runway at Saint Laurent. Photo: Imaxtree
Speaking of haircuts... Ruth Bell snipped her long blonde hair for Alexander McQueen's fall 2015 campaign and promptly went on to win a spot in Saint Laurent's cruise ads. Her first big fashion month has shaped up to be a strong one, too, dotted with appearances at Gucci, Iris van Herpen, Saint Laurent, Isabel Marant, Lanvin and Versace.
Pooja Mor (Elite)
Pooja Mor on the runway at Dolce & Gabbana. Photo: Imaxtree
Alien looks may be in, but there's always room on the runway for straight-up stunners. Pooja Mor, who made her catwalk debut at Louis Vuitton's cruise 2016 show, wowed at Givenchy, Victoria Beckham, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Roberto Cavalli and Calvin Klein. With her classical elegance, Mor could certainly do big things.
Nirvana Naves (Next)
Nirvana Naves at Balenciaga. Photo: Imaxtree
A newcomer with dainty features and a beautiful name, Nirvana Naves kept her show schedule small but entirely kickass. A Prada exclusive, Naves also walked Hermès, John Galliano, Céline, Acne, Balenciaga, Chloé and J.W. Anderson.
Lameka Fox (IMG)
Lameka Fox on the runway at Public School. Photo: Imaxtree
Scouted on Instagram by IMG's development team, Lameka Fox debuted at Marc Jacobs's resort 2016 show before hitting fashion month in full this September. Now that she's appeared on the runway for Burberry, Public School, Hood by Air, Giamba and Valentino, among others, we're expecting to see much, much more of Ms. Fox.
Hyun Ji Shin (IMG)
Hyun Ji Shin on the runway at John Galliano. Photo: Imaxtree
With a Benetton campaign and some editorials for i-D, Vogue Korea and Oyster already on her résumé, Hyun Ji Shin took off at the spring 2016 shows. Ranked as one of the most prolific catwalkers of the season by Models.com, she logged time with Rodarte, DKNY, Public School, Simone Rocha, Miu Miu and Prada.
Julia Fleming (Next)
Julia Fleming on the runway at Alexander McQueen. Photo: Imaxtree
The definition of a winning first season. Right out of the gate, Julia Fleming won runway spots at Rag & Bone, Simone Rocha, Marni, Christopher Kane, Alexander McQueen and Valentino, among many, many others. With the sort of quietly striking and versatile look that appeals to a wide range of designers, we'd guess that this is just the first of many excellent show seasons for the Philadelphia native.
