Celebrating Authenticity: Unforgettable Moments from the 2025 Fashion Catwalks
Supermodels Leading the Charge for Change: The Faces of 2025
Contemporary supermodels wield considerable influence, captivating audiences not only with their striking beauty but also with their profound humanity. Figures like Anok Yai, Alex Consani, and Paloma Elsesser, who graced the cover of this year's April 'Now' issue, exemplify this trend. They've courageously addressed critical issues, from fostering representation within the industry to advocating for trans rights and leveraging social media for positive impact. Elsesser's powerful sentiment, "If we cultivate a culture of curiosity, hopefully things can change," encapsulates their collective ambition to drive progress and foster a more inclusive environment.
Emerging Talents Making Waves: New Icons of the Runway
Beyond the established icons, 2025 introduced a new wave of formidable talents who similarly commanded attention through their distinctive personalities, compelling voices, and undeniable charm. These emerging stars, much like their renowned predecessors, left a significant impression, proving that the future of fashion is vibrant and multifaceted.
Awar Odhiang's Heartfelt Embrace: A Moment of Genuine Emotion at Chanel
During the finale of Mathieu Blazy's inaugural Chanel show in Paris, model Awar Odhiang captivated onlookers with an unscripted display of pure joy. Dressed in an exquisite liquid silk blouse and feathered skirt, she began to applaud the designer, who, in turn, embraced her warmly. This spontaneous exchange, a departure from typical runway formality, underscored the profound impact of the collection and the immense effort behind its creation, resonating deeply with everyone present.
Bhavitha Mandava's Landmark Achievement: An Indian Model's Journey to Chanel
Bhavitha Mandava, a New York University graduate student from India, embarked on an extraordinary journey after being discovered by Mathieu Blazy. Her serendipitous entry into high fashion led her to open Chanel's Métiers d'Art show in New York, marking her as the first Indian model to achieve this prestigious honor. A particularly touching highlight was Mandava's sharing of a video depicting her parents' proud reaction to her groundbreaking runway appearance, beautifully titled "My brown parents' reaction to me opening the Chanel show."
Angel Reese and Suni Lee's Historic Debut: Athletes Redefining Victoria's Secret
The reimagined Victoria's Secret runway show, under the new creative direction of Adam Selman, showcased a dynamic blend of familiar faces and unexpected luminaries. Notably, WNBA star Angel Reese, adorned with elaborate embellished wings, and Olympic gymnast Suni Lee, sporting a stylish "Pink" branded lingerie set, made history as the first professional athletes to walk the iconic show. Their inclusion underscored a broader embrace of diverse forms of beauty and athleticism within the brand's evolving narrative.
Osman Ahmed's Empowering Debut: A Writer's Journey to the Runway
For British fashion designer Conner Ives' Spring 2026 collection, the casting agency, led by Shayne Nielsen and Ben Grimes, championed an exceptionally diverse lineup. This included established figures, trans and non-gender conforming individuals, and models discovered through street casting. Among them was writer Osman Ahmed, who made her inaugural runway appearance. She chronicled her transformative experience, highlighting how this brief foray into the intricate world of modeling bolstered her self-assurance and offered a fresh perspective on identity.
Kai Schreiber's Poignant Family Moment: A Mother's Pride on the Front Row
Kai Schreiber, daughter of Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber, has rapidly become a prominent figure on international runways, walking for prestigious brands such as Valentino, Calvin Klein, Fendi, and Max Mara. A particularly heartwarming instance occurred at the Spring 2026 Cos runway show, where her mother, Naomi Watts, proudly captured photos from the front row as the 17-year-old gracefully walked, celebrating her daughter's burgeoning career.
Anok Yai Crowned Model of the Year: A Story of Resilience and Impact
Anok Yai was recognized as Model of the Year at the 2025 British Fashion Awards, a title previously held by Paloma Elsesser in 2023 and Alex Consani in 2024. At just 27, Yai's extraordinary achievements include campaigns and runway appearances for leading fashion houses like Versace, Alaïa, Ferragamo, Chanel, and Fendi. In her acceptance speech, she movingly recounted her journey as both a refugee and a young Black woman in the industry, emphasizing the immense dedication and resilience required, while also drawing attention to the ongoing challenges faced by her home country, South Sudan.
Lux Pascal's Paris Debut: A Trans Actress Redefining Fashion Norms
Lux Pascal, the younger sibling of Pedro Pascal, made her significant runway debut at Chanel's Spring 2026 show in Paris, solidifying her place in the high fashion world. Having come out as trans in 2021, the budding actress, recently cast in Tom Ford's new film 'Cry to Heaven,' has since cultivated a distinctive presence, demonstrating fashion's increasing embrace of diverse identities and narratives.
Alex Consani's Humorous TikTok Presence: A Blend of High Fashion and Relatability
Alex Consani, a celebrated runway model, has also cultivated a strong and engaging presence on TikTok through her account @captincroook. Her content, often featuring her in high-fashion attire like Alaïa coveralls or playfully portraying a chic French woman in Paris, consistently generates widespread laughter. While her appearances on major runways for brands such as Victoria's Secret and Chanel are widely admired, it's her authentic and humorous personality that truly resonates with her audience, making her irresistibly appealing.
Vivian Wilson's Striking NYFW Debut: A Trans Model's Powerful Statement
Vivian Wilson, a trans model, activist, and the estranged daughter of Elon Musk, made a notable debut at New York Fashion Week for Spring 2026. Her presence on multiple prestigious runways, including those of Prabal Gurung, Alexis Bittar, and Chrishabana, marked a significant moment for representation. Her participation underscored the growing visibility and importance of diverse voices and identities within the fashion industry, contributing to a more inclusive and expansive definition of beauty and style.
Matières Fécales' Inclusive Vision: A Joyful Celebration of Diversity on the Runway
In an industry often critiqued for its lack of diversity, particularly in major fashion capitals like Milan and Paris, the independent Parisian brand Matières Fécales presented a refreshing and joyous spectacle. Founded by creative directors Steven Raj Bhaskaran and Hannah Rose Dalton, their show featured an intentionally diverse cast of models. This lineup spanned various genders, ethnicities, and body types, including activist Nikki Lilly, model Akila, artist and DJ Lewis Burton, and even Hannah Rose Dalton herself. The event transcended mere avant-garde clothing, offering a powerful and uplifting vision of what a truly inclusive fashion show can and should embody, radiating a lightness and joy that resonated with all attendees.