Models.com’s selection of Top Newcomers from S/S 16 is the newest class of on-the-radar models who set the benchmark walking for the biggest designers with exclusives, openings and closings, to boot. Respectively they’ve got that special something that can translate into top campaigns, covers and editorials. In addition, we’ve reached out to industry influencers who, season after season, are important players in the big picture and asked for their odds-on favorites. This year’s exclusive three includes top editors Edward Enninful, Katie Grand and industry legend Bethann Hardison. See who they believe have that coveted it-factor followed by our list of top performing rookies.
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Katie Grand -
Gigi Hadid -
“Gigi is absolutely the stand out model of the season, the strength and eloquence with which she replied to anonymous trolls is impressive, and of course she is an absolutely lovely girl and a joy to be around.”
– Katie Grand
1st Season
Allyson Chalmers
Hyunji Shin
Julia Fleming
Mayka Merino
Mathilde Brok Brandi
Nirvana Naves
Olivia Jansing
Peyton Knight
Piene Burgers
Ruth Bell
Victoria Kosenkova
Wangy
Breakout Season
Ala Sekula
Alice Metza
Bara Podzimkova
Chiara Mazzoleni
Elizabeth Davison
Estelle Chen
Frida Westerlund
Irina Djuranovic
Jamilla Hoogenboom
Kirin Dejonckheere
Lameka Fox
Lululeika Ravn Liep
Nastya Abramova
Odette Pavlova
Paula Galecka
Pooja Mor
Romy Schonberger
Vera Van Erp
Veronika Vilim
Yasmin Wijnaldum
Allyson Chalmers
An exclusive New York debut at Calvin Klein Collection, lifted this freshman to new heights in the remaining fashion capitals. The hits kept on coming with big-name, runway jaunts at Christopher Kane, Gucci, Marni, Dior, and Nina Ricci.
Source IMG
Photo by Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/WireImageHyun Ji Shin
Effervescent Hyunji’s season started in NY but truly K-Popped once she hit Milan and walked for Prada. From there it was hit after hit, with Elie Saab, Vionnet, Dries van Noten, and Miu Miu all singing this super Seoul girl’s tune.
Source Instagram: @iamhyunjishin
Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesJulia Fleming
This American beauty lit up the S/S 16 shows from NY all the way to Paris. With Calvin Klein, Fendi, Versace, Chloe, Celine and Valentino amongst the bookings of her rookie runway season, Philly native Julia has proven she has this fashion “jawn” perfected.
Source Instagram: @juliaflemingmodel
Photo by Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/FilmMagic – Getty ImagesMayka Merino
Starting with a JW Anderson exclusive, then the coveted combination of Prada exclusive/ opening spot, it was nothing but blue chip perfection for Mayka’s debut season. Appearances at Loewe, Chanel, Miu Miu, and Louis Vuitton rounded out this pixie-eared poppet’s immaculately curated catwalk credentials.
Source Instagram: @maykamerino
Photo by Catwalking/Getty ImagesMathilde Brok Brandi
This Dane’s jewel blues, bushy brows and V-shaped jawline made Mathilde a hot commodity, showing face at top shows Céline, Calvin Klein and Coach.
Source Instagram: @mathildebrandi
Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesNirvana Naves
This curly-haired, Dutch newcomer debuted opening up for J.W. Anderson in London and then went on to an exclusive at the show of all shows – Prada. From there on it was clockwork bookings at buzzworthy shows like Chloe, Celine, Hermes, and Valentino.
Source Instagram: @nirvananaves
Getty Credit/Getty ImagesOlivia Jansing
This rookie stunner and her sculpted cheekbones were in every major show you can think of this season, throwing her weight in with seasoned veterans. After walking the runway for Versace, Fendi, Alexander Wang, Valentino, and Balenciaga the native New Yorker is sure to set the upcoming shoot season on fire!
Source Instagram: @oliviajansing
Photo by Pietro D’Aprano/Getty ImagesPeyton Knight
A quirky, bowl-cut can make you stand out from the crowd and such is the same for Peyton Knight. The Alexander Wang exclusive platform she jumped off, catapulted her to walking in the biggest shows you can imagine – Gucci, Prada, Marc Jacobs, Balenciaga, and Acne Studios.
Source Instagram: @peyton.knight
Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesPiene Burgers
In a season dominated by brunettes, Piene’s flaxen-haired flair debuted on the Gucci runway and took hold at the shows for Chanel, Stella McCartney, and Valentino. Her effortless cool and composed beauty brings an irresistible kind of sunny serenity to the S/S 16 season.
Source Instagram: @pieneburgers
Photo by Catwalking/Getty ImagesRuth Bell
The twin from England made quite an entrance after an out-of-the-blue appearance in the Sims photographed McQueen F/W 15 campaign sporting a brand new buzz. Come S/S 16 that military grade look made Ruth unmissable on the runways of Gucci, Versace and Saint Laurent.
Source Instagram: @ruthnotmay
Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesVictoria Kosenkova
Opening and closing Burberry’s S/S 16 show as an exclusive says it all. Victoria is a downright, delicate beauty. So it’s no surprise that Prada also gave the Russian newcomer an exclusive and Dior, Valentino and Miu Miu couldn’t do without her.
Source Instagram: @_victoriakosenkova_
Photo by Catwalking/Getty ImagesWangy
It’s been a whirlwind year for this Chinese model and after winning the Longteng Supermodel Contest she went on to storming the global fashion circuit walking in top shows like Calvin Klein, Burberry, Gucci, Dior and Alexander McQueen. Not bad for her first time out the gate!
Source Next Models
Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesAla Sekula
Alluring Ala already had a Prada & Miu Miu exclusive and some pretty impressive resort and haute couture collection appearances in her back catalogue, but S/S 16 was the season that she solidified her status as a catwalk conquerer. Walking for Jil Sander, Chanel, and Dior to name but a few, this polished Polish girl’s runway resume is pristine.
Source Instagram: @AlaSekula
Photo by Pietro D’Aprano/Getty ImagesAlice Metza
Alice Metza has been on the scene since her debut last season at Proenza Schouler, but this LA darling struck it big this time with walks at Marc Jacobs, Prada, Lanvin, Sacai, Valentino, and Miu Miu. Her bubbling personality and unique look is sure to set her apart from the crowd.
Source Instagram: @6bubbles6erotica6
Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesBara Podzimkova
Elite Model Look winner Bara truly takes the prize for one of the most selective seasons yet. A Prada exclusive in Milan, this Czech beauty’s delightful dreaminess reigned supreme in Paris, where she floated down the runways of Lanvin, McQueen, Chanel and Dior.
Source Instagram: @barborapodzimkova
Photo by Catwalking/Getty ImagesChiara Mazzoleni
Her first season gained Chiara some major runway mileage walking the likes of Boss, Calvin Klein, Prada, Alexander McQueen and Miu Miu. That rare golden glow and striking, one of a kind angles have this Italian poised for coming sweeps.
Source Instagram: @chiamazzoleni
Photo by Catwalking/Getty ImagesElizabeth Davison
Elizabeth and her adorable, elvish ears flirted with the catwalk in F/W 15 making appearances at Alexander Wang and Marc by Marc. But her real splash came this season after confirming an impressive list of shows that includes Wang, Coach, Prada, Balenciaga, Chanel and Miu Miu.
Source Instagram: @ElizabethDavison
Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesEstelle Chen
Her first season boasted Miu Miu and Louis Vuitton, but S/S 16 rounded out her résume with Dolce & Gabbana, Chloe, Dior, and again Miu Miu and Louis Vuitton all eager to take advantage of Estelle’s sophisticated allure.
Source Instagram: @chen_estelle
Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesFrida Westerlund
An equestrian with quiet intensity, Frida has been simmering in Sweden since opening the Balenciaga show back in Spring/Summer 2013. It wasn’t until this season when she reappeared at the Alexander Wang show that ferocious Frida cemented herself as a girl-to-watch — and her majorness was made even more evident as she went on to score the opening and closing spots at Calvin Klein.
Source Instagram: @FfridaWesterlund
Photo by JP Yim/Getty Images for NYFW: The ShowsIrina Djuranovic
The lovely Irina from Montenegro had a great 2015, starting with January’s Dior Couture and then Prada and a number of other top shows for F/W 15. What makes her stand out this season is not only walking again for top shows such as Celine, Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, Miu Miu (a sure sign of a great runway model) but gaining new brands such as Burberry, Calvin Klein, Gucci, Proenza Schouler and Versace.
Source Instagram: @irinadjuranovic
Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesJamilla Hoogenboom
With her debut in the Balenciaga Pre Fall 2015 lookbook, it didn’t take an industry insider to see that Jamilla’s star was on the rise. Two select turns (for Rick Owens and Celine) on the F/W 15 Paris catwalks were but a sign of things to come — this season the daring Dutchie from Den Haag started at Alexander Wang and ended at Esteban Cortazar, with notable appearances at Balenciaga, Kenzo, Missoni, and Vera Wang in between.
Source Instagram: @JamillaHoogenboom
Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesKirin Dejonckheere
A F/W 15 Louis Vuitton exclusive merited the lovely Kirin’s runway readiness. Come S/S 16 and the fair-haired Belgian had a most flattering show season, walking J.W. Anderson, Burberry, Dior, Valentino, Louis Vuitton, and opening Alexander McQueen.
Source Instagram: @KirinDejonckheere
Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesLameka Fox
This Maryland equestrian rider was discovered with an Instagram hashtag and swiftly took off to New York for a debut at Marc Jacobs’ resort collection. Walks for Hood By Air, Burberry Prorsum, Valentino, and Moncler Gamme Rouge soon followed for the fresh face, All-American beauty.
Source Instagram: @lamekafox
Photo by Catwalking/Getty ImagesLululeika Ravn Liep
An inaugural walk in Louis Vuitton for F/W 15 prospected a big next season presence for the willowy, Danish model. And that was just the case–J.W Anderson, Gucci, Prada, Valentino and Louis Vuitton all made sure to confirm the rosy-cheeked Lululeika.
Source Scoop Models
Photo by Venturelli/Getty ImagesNastya Abramova
A bold beauty from central Ukraine, Nastya hit her stride in New York at Calvin Klein, a show that sent her sophomore season into overdrive. Opening and closing Christopher Kane in London, then walking for Prada, Dior and Chanel, Nastya’s strikingly strong look has fashion’s elite sitting up and taking note.
Source Instagram: @nana_abramova
Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesOdette Pavlova
Twin sister, Lia, took the spotlight last season but for SS16 Russian beaut, Odette shined in a bevy of shows, none more notable than Chanel, Dior, Dries Van Noten, Fendi, Alexander Wang, and closing Saint Laurent.
Source Instagram: @Odette.Pavlova
Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesPaula Galecka
Paula made her debut in January for Prada Pre Fall and followed up with a very solid season for F/W 15. For S/S 16, Paula had her first full show season, and her appearances in the 4 cities- Givenchy, Jason Wu, J.W. Anderson, Christopher Kane, Gucci, Prada, and an excellent Paris finish- Kenzo, Lanvin and Miu Miu- show that her cool serene beauty is still all the rage.
Source Instagram: @paulagalecka
Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesPooja Mor
You couldn’t have had a better year than Indian beauty Pooja Mor if you tried – a debut at cruise collections for Louis Vuitton and Stella McCartney put her on the fashion radar. She re-emerged this season walking in Givenchy’s infamous NY show, then Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana, and Alexander McQueen.
Source Instagram: @PoojaMor
Photo by Francois G. Durand/WireImageRomy Schonberger
Romy’s presence was made known strutting in haute couture for Valentino, but S/S 16 was a season well played for the ruddy-faced brunette who crossed off top shows like Coach, Burberry, Hermès, Valentino and Chanel, to name a few.
Source Instagram: @RomySchonberger
Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesVera Van Erp
Along with her stark good looks, Vera Van Erp’s lean figure was made for the catwalk, a point she proved after her F/W 15 debut for Louis Vuitton. This season, she was nothing short of a runway fixture walking Oscar de la Renta, Burberry, Gucci, Valentino and Louis Vuitton.
Source Instagram: @VeraVanErp
Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesVeronika Vilim
A Saint Laurent muse heretofore, but S/S 16 had the bleach blonde Veronika Vilim diversifying with a top-notch stretch of shows that included Alexander Wang (exclusive), Marc Jacobs, and, of course, Saint Laurent.
Source Instagram: @veronikavilim
Photo by Edward James/WireImageYasmin Wijnaldum
A Prada debut will have people wondering who you are undoubtedly, and Dutch wonder Yasmin was no exception. After a small couture season showing in Jean Paul Gautier and Valentino, she took the Milan SS16 center stage going on to Paris to walk in big shows like Lanvin, Chloe, Carven, Loewe, Kenzo, and Valentino.
Source Instagram: @YasminWijnaldum
Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Stunning Irina, my favorite new face of this season. Jamilla stunnig in Prabal Gurung. Others of my favorite new faces this season, Piene Burgers, Anka Kuryndina, Viola Podkopaeva, Polina Oganicheva, Cong He,
I look forward to seeing Mathilde Brandi in editorials. That face… and also, those eye brows. Very elegant! The new comers I noticed the most was Ruth Bell, Pooja Mor, Nirvana Naves, Frederikke Sofie Falbe, Veronika Vilim, Peyton Knight, Sandra Schmidt and Jamilla Hoogenboom.
OMG! So happy to see that there’s so much beauty and diversity in the world. Lovely models!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1YntyxJFKs
The next top model franchise is on a roll these past seasons: KateG. – F/W 14, Sora – S/S 15, Aamito – F/W 15. And now Hyun Ji for S/S 16.
How I wish May Bell (twin of Ruth Bell) joined her sister in doing fashion week.. Also, Sofia Mechetner should be in the list. The girl is truly promising…
Do you have a age or height requirement?
Hi,am Amanda blazy from African, 2rd year, study business administration in India, I have the passion for runway modelling. How do I go about it?thanks
They don’t seem to look as good as I thought…. js
I said this on the Vogue website- I cannot get over how downright unattractive- UGLY the new models for 2016 are! Bring back glamour and beauty from the past- the models from the 90’s- early 2000’s were so much more attractive that these girls. Whoever is making the decisions on who gets to be a model needs to look for a new job because they definitely have vision problems!
I’m sorry but why do you think being glamorous is the only form of beauty? Tons of people inside and outside of fashion would agree these girls are stunning and some like romee, bara, pooja, yasmin, and estelle completely outshine the girls from “the early 2000’s” Maybe I’m young and I’m attracted to a different set of girls but whether you like it or not fashion is changing and your going to see them a lot more than you’d want to. Also, feel free to voice your opinions but calling these kids ugly is far from humane.
You have defo missed out on a new commer this year, her name is MOYIN, signed to FIRST MODEL MANAGEMENT, she did Vivienne westwood and 4 other shows in her first London season, check her out, she looks amazing