*MKILETEWA HAPA NA FLORA LYIMO DESIGNER*
Each season a slew of new models enter the international scene eager to become the next Stella Tennant, Agyness Deyn, Liu Wen or (dare we say?) Kate Moss. Of course there are telltale signs (opened the Prada show, shot by Steven Miesel for Vogue Italia, enlisted by Christopher Bailey for the Burberry campaign), but there are also fresh faces who just have that special something that makes it obvious they’ll have staying power.
So after meeting a handful of catwalk hopefuls, chatting with model agents, and scouring the shows, we’ve compiled a new must-watch list - the future girls who could well give Ms Moss a run for her money, if you will. Hedge your bets now.
Nyasha Matonhodze
Chosen as one of the new fresh faces for Louis Vuitton’s autumn/winter campaign, 16-year-old Nyasha Matonhodze has caused a sensational stir among blue chip designers and casting directors. Hailing from Northampton, Zimbabwean born Matonhodze was discovered in her school uniform at Elite model agency in 2009 and went on to win the prestigious Elite Model Look UK competition later that year (accompanied by none other us at YOU!) In addition to the Vuitton campaign, this future face has also been photographed for top fashion bibles Love, i-D, Harper's Bazaar, and Teen Vogue. One to watch indeed.
Saskia de Brauw
Numerous model predictors are saying 2011 will be all about the Dutch girl - and Saskia de Brauw - born and raised in a village just outside of Amsterdam, is well on her way to ensuring this prediction comes true. In addition to starring in campaigns for Chanel and Givenchy this season, de Brauw was also featured on the cover of Vogue Italia and was chosen to star on French editor Carine Roitfield’s last Vogue Paris cover. Indications are clear that Ms de Brauw is a girl with staying power.
Julia Saner
One of this season’s most talked-about fresh faces is Swiss Miss Julia Saner. Perhaps it was inevitable that the Berne-born beauty, having won the international Elite Model Look content in 2009, would book a show run spanning Gucci, Fendi, Chanel, Lanvin, Givenchy and Louis Vuitton. Now that the booking sweepstakes have turned from shows to stellar editorials and campaigns expect Julia to be one of those must-book girls for seasons to come.
Hailey Clauson
Despite being a young sophomore in high school, California-born Hailey Clauson's poise, maturity and innate elegance made her a must-book in her debut season – earning comparisons to fellow American teen model Karlie Kloss. After walking the walk for the highly selective likes of Calvin Klein, Christian Dior, Versace and Miu Miu and scoring numerous blue chip editorials, Clauson looms large as a girl with the possibility for longevity.
Emily Baker
With razor-sharp cheekbones, personality and a runway strut that evokes the glory years of the nineties supermodel, 17-year-old Emily Baker is poised to become this year's most striking new face. Courted by influential casting director Russell Marsh, the New Zealand native debuted on the autumn/winter 11 catwalks for Prada, Miu Miu, Balenciaga, and Proenza Schouler. Attention now turns from the runways to magazines and campaigns, and Emily’s unique beauty is sure to deliver a distinctive image.
Josephine Skriver
From Calvin Klein to Preen, to Gucci, Max Mara and Alexander Wang, 17-year-old Josephine Skriver has made a huge impact on the catwalk, the kind that has put this Danish native on the watch list of every top photographer, fashion editor and casting director in town. With a cover for Vogue Germany and a slew of top runway bookings in the bag, it’s clear fashion’s finest can’t seem to resist the lure of this fresh faced newcomer, signalling there is much more to come.
Cailin Hill
Canadian native and Ford Model Cailin Hill has won us over with her witty, fun, and ever so slightly sarcastic Tumblr blog, Model Burnbook. With model watchers opting for models with personality, Hill has enjoyed face time with some of the industry's top photographers and casting agents, shooting for the likes of Marie Claire, Flare and starring in this season’s Calvin Klein denim campaign. A girl with distinctive personal style, look for Hill on both major runways and countless street style blogs in the seasons to come.
Colinne Michaelis
It goes without saying that two of the most important positions on the runway are the opening and closing slots. This has become even more apparent when it comes to Prada. And this season’s coveted Prada opening slot went to French newcomer Colinne Michaelis, the great granddaughter of Vogue's legendary art director Alexander Liberman. Catching the eye of casting director Russell Marsh, Michaelis also walked for fashion power houses Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent and Lanvin. With campaigns in the pipeline and editorial high summon from the likes of ACNE Paper and Interview, Colinne proves herself be a rising star indeed.
Molly Smith
16-year-old British newcomer Molly Smith is the latest Burberry girl to be shot by Mario Testino starring in the autumn/winter 11 campaign. Discovered while shopping in Covent Garden two years ago, Smith has gone on to shoot editorials for top titles Teen Vogue and Vogue Italia - coups for any new model. We predict a further slew of enviable assignments guaranteed to keep her front and centre in the booking sweepstakes.
Sui He
With models Fei Fei Sun and Liu Wen appearing front and centre in major ad campaigns, runway shows, and magazine editorials, model watchers are predicting that Asian models are on the rise in 2011. And newcomer Sui He suggests this prediction may well come true: opening the autumn/winter 11 Ralph Lauren show in New York, Sui marked the first time in recent history that an Asian model has opened for the revered American brand and followed with appearances at fashion power houses Dries Van Noten, Jill Stuart and Dolce & Gabbana.
With editorials in Harper’s Bazaar China and V, Sui has indeed justified her status as a breakthrough star. It's perhaps premature to hope that 2011 will be the year of the Asian model, but any increase in diversity in the fashion industry is certainly worth noticing. Watch this space.
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