For over a decade, Models.com’s The Graduates series has been a visual check-in with the models of the moment who have consistently performed at the highest levels, going from the rising newcomers on the Hot List to the Top 50 recognizable muses throughout the world. Names like Bella Hadid, Hoyeon, Vittoria Ceretti, and Sora Choi, to name a few, have all taken part of the milestone series that uniquely marks the shift in a model’s career. With major bookings in editorials, advertisements, lookbooks, and on the runway, these models have consistently locked down luxury clients in the most competitive markets while continuing to dominate on the global stage.
Shot in Paris during the madness of fashion week by photographer Mauricio Sierra, this year’s cast gets introspective with Models.com on their starts, the brands that have made their careers, and taking their place amongst an elite few.
British model Celina Ralph made a bold statement in the industry with her distinctive buzzed hair and charisma. Discovered at a Jessie J concert, Ralph contemplated the daring move of shaving off her hair, ultimately deciding to embrace it as an authentic expression of herself. “I felt very disconnected from the world of what I thought a model should be, so shaving my hair off helped me figure out my identity. It changed everything for me,” she reflects. Ralph burst onto the scene at Molly Goddard’s F/W 20 show and eventually appeared in an Alexander McQueen lookbook, marking the beginning of a dynamic designer/muse partnership with former McQueen creative director, Sarah Burton. Recalling their connection, Ralph shares, “She was one of the first people to see me as a woman before I really saw who that was myself. She helped me step into that. She’s humble, down to earth, and cares about the clothes and the models she dresses.” Since 2022, she has collaborated on three campaigns with McQueen, working alongside photographers like Steven Meisel, David Sims, and Paolo Roversi, establishing her name in the modeling industry. Reflecting on her collaborations with these creatives, Ralph expresses, “The intricacies in everything they do are inspiring to observe. It gave me a deeper understanding of all the working parts that create such beautiful fashion images.”
“I felt very disconnected from the world of what I thought a model should be, so shaving my hair off helped me figure out my identity. It changed everything for me”
A year after her debut, she graced the cover of i-D Magazine, lensed by Mario Sorrenti, marking a career ascension for one of the few curve models working with high fashion clients globally. Securing her second i-D cover last year was surreal for Ralph, as she deeply connected with the magazine during her teenage years. Earlier this year, Ralph walked in Daniel Lee’s highly anticipated debut at Burberry, a legacy brand deeply rooted in English culture. Recounting the experience, she says, “Being an English girl, it was always about McQueen and Burberry. Burberry is so ingrained in English culture that walking for them felt like a patriotic moment,” she described. “The classic Burberry print was the go-to for raves and parties where I’m from. It was this surreal, cyclical moment for me.” This past year, Ralph secured a spot in Models.com’s Top 50 rankings and, this past season, opened two shows for the first time, Supriya Lele and Nina Ricci. Vogue Business reported a mere 0.4% improvement in size inclusivity on the runway between F/W 23 and S/S 24, showcasing a stark lack of representation in the industry. Addressing this issue, Ralph commented, “I didn’t notice any changes this past season, which is sad but not surprising. I think all women’s bodies should be celebrated, and to get to a place where we no longer need to speak on women’s bodies as a radical movement would be amazing.”
