Top Newcomers S/S 2017
Newcomers S/S 17
Each season Models.com assembles a list of the top performing newcomers and models having their breakout moments tallied from the fashion week circuit from New York to Paris. Call it an obsession. What moves a model from contender to our Top standing? For Spring / Summer 2017 there was no shortage of success stories who, between walking for the major brands, landing exclusives slots and securing pivotal opening and closing spots, shared in common their noteworthy seasons. Notice on the runway can be a springboard for girls booking sought-after campaigns, covers and editorials. Models.com also reached out to industry insiders Katie Grand, Bethann Hardison, Edward Enninful, Charlotte Stockdale and Sissy Vian who have a knack for heralding the next best thing.
The Top Newcomers list is broken down in 2 sections:
Industry Selects
Models.com’s Top Newcomers
Industry Selects
Hiandra Martinez
Julia Banas
Vittoria Ceretti
Giedre Seks
Myrthe Bolt
1st Season
Breakout Season
1st Season
Amber Witcomb
Plucked from obscurity to walk for J.W. Anderson in London, this eccentrically elegant Canuck then went on to storm through Milan and Paris. From Prada to Givenchy, Amber was ubiquitous — and with a face so aristocratically quirky, expect some epic editorial output within the next 12 months.
Céline – Photo by Estrop/Getty Images
Anique Jozsi
Blonde, poised and beautiful is a winning combination, but Anique Jozsi has something more: a magnetism that found her securing the coveted opening spot for Alexander Wang in New York. The rest of her season was winningly succinct, walking a Versace exclusive, in Vaccarello’s new Saint Laurent, Dior and Sacai. It was to the point in all the right ways.
Versace – Photo by Catwalking/Getty Images
Brittany Noon
From the isle of Saint Lucia, Brittany Noon first came on the radar walking for the likes of Marc Jacobs and Brandon Maxwell in New York before heading over to Milan for Pucci, Bottega Veneta and Dolce & Gabbana. The city of lights was kind to Noon with walks at Nina Ricci, Emporio Armani and Miu Miu.
Miu Miu – Photo by Catwalking/Getty Images
Cara Taylor
Cara from Alabama put her bold visage to good work for her first season, taking off after an exclusive and transformative debut in Alexander Wang. Her running start continued city to city as jaunts down the catwalk for Prada, Jil Sander and Loewe followed. Closing Dior served as a fabulous book end to the perfect start.
Loewe – Photo by Estrop/Getty Images
Elibeidy Dani
The name on everybody’s lips this season was Elibeidy, a teenager from the Dominican Republic with a presence so formidable and captivating it was difficult to resist. From a debut at Burberry and on to commanding appearances at Gucci, Prada, Jil Sander and Valentino, Elibeidy was the girl for everybody.
Sonia Rykiel – Photo by Estrop/Getty Images
Ellen Rosa
This Brazilian girl wonder was the talk of the town since her debut at Alexander Wang. Her doll-like visage then went on to open Altuzarra and walk in Marc Jacobs before popping up again in Milan for the show of all shows, Prada. Fendi, Versace, Dior, Céline, Valentino and Chanel swiftly followed for a stellar first season. Let’s see what buzz follows!
Altuzarra – Photo by Estrop/Getty Images
Emm Arruda
Emm Arruda kicked off her first international season with a pivotal Proenza Schouler exclusive. In Paris the curly-haired Canadian took off, looking especially lovely on the runways of Paco Rabanne, Dior, Valentino, Sacai, Alexander McQueen, Chanel and Louis Vuitton.
Proenza Schouler – Photo by Estrop/Getty Images
Hoyeon Jung
This Korean star first made her break as the runner up in Korea’s Next Top Model but didn’t let that stop her from runway domination. An exclusive spot at Louis Vuitton for the fiery red muse was the icing on the cake after a season walking in Fendi, Max Mara, Rag & Bone and Marc Jacobs.
Alberta Ferretti – Photo by Estrop/Getty Images
Impy
From every girl to It Girl, Impy went from brunette to beach blonde for Alexander Wang and the transition paid off. This Californian’s laidback cool was in demand at Versus, Versace, Fendi, Stella McCartney and Chanel. Rad.
Emilio Pucci – Photo by Estrop/Getty Images
Mariana Zaragoza
It started as a Proenza Schouler exclusive. Then Prada called. After that it was blue chip all day, every day. Dior and Saint Laurent, Paco Rabanne and Dries van Noten, Mariana was this season’s doe-eyed delight.
Jil Sander – Photo by Pietro D’aprano/Getty Images
Mckenna Hellam
Georgia peach Mckenna jumped into the big leagues with the illustrious and recognizable Alexander Wang hair transformation from Guido Palau. With her shorter ringlets, she charmed her way to runway walks for Rodarte, Burberry, Marni, Stella McCartney, Givenchy, Acne and many more.
Rodarte – Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Michelle Gutknecht
From her debut at opening slot Proenza Schouler to ending at Miu Miu in Paris, this Polish teenager’s season had a deep impact. Prada, Paco Rabanne, Dior and Sacai rounded out a show list that is short, sweet and totally impeccable.
Proenza Schouler – Photo by Peter White/Getty Images
Yoon Young Bae
It was Yoon Young Bae’s opening act and the finely featured newcomer began with an exclusive walk down Prada’s catwalk. From there, she kept our full attention walking for Chloe, Loewe, Dior and Sonia Rykiel. Brava on the performance!
Prada – Photo by Estrop/Getty Images
Zhenya Migovych
It was grand opening, grand closing for Ukrainian newbie Zhenya Migovich with an opening and closing slot for Prabal Gurung and Rodarte respectively. She then went on to London to walk for Christopher Kane and Burberry, Milano to appear at Fendi, Marni and Ferragamo, before ending strong in Paris at Dries, Valentino and a final opening walk for Nina Ricci.
John Galliano – Photo by Estrop/Getty Images
Alexandra Micu
A Vuitton F/W 16 exclusive turned into Vuitton S/S 17 exclusive for this elusive Romanian, with appearances at Prada, Versace, Jil Sander and Dolce and Gabbana in between. And with such a powerful season, Alexandra’s hypnotic beauty will now undoubtedly translate over from runway to print.
Mary Katrantzou – Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Angelica Erthal
Japanese-Brazilian Angelica Erthal had quite an impact last season with back-to-back exclusives at Prada and Louis Vuitton. She returned to her native Brazil for the special Rio de Janeiro cruise show for LV and jumped straight into showings at Prabal Gurung, Opening Ceremony, Carolina Herrera, Céline, Givenchy, Kenzo, & of course, Louis Vuitton. Add opening for a J.W. Anderson backed Loewe and you get an impressive breakout moment for the edgy rising star.
Louis Vuitton – Photo by Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/WireImage
Dasha Khlystun
Dasha (Daria) Khlystun was a well-aimed model rocket. Her fashion week circuit landed her at the likes of Alexander Wang, Marc Jacobs, Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Versace, opening Chloe, Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Giambattista and more. This stellar season was right on the mark.
Alexander Wang – Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Faretta
There’s only one name needed for this Croatian show slayer and it’s Faretta. A semi-exclusive start at Wang blossomed into appearances at DKNY, Marc Jacobs, Prada, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Isabel Marant, Céline, McQueen, Chanel and many more. Opening and closing slots for Roberto Cavalli, Mugler, Chloe and Victoria Beckham didn’t hurt her chances cinching a top breakout spot either!
Mugler – Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Grace Elizabeth
Fantastically gorgeous Grace carries the torch of the new uber beauties. A selection of premier shows pretty much across the board wasn’t by chance. Opening Tory Burch, followed by walks for Topshop, Alberto Ferretti, Phillip Plein, Moschino, Bottega Venetta, Dolce & Gabbana and Giambattista indicate the kind of well-heeled brands that want to align with her luxe looks.
Bottega Veneta – Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Huan Zhou
We first met Huan in New York in February — but what a difference a few months (and bangs!) can make. From austere at Jil Sander to disco vamp at Kenzo, this softly spoken China doll knows how to deliver.
Salvatore Ferragamo – Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Iris Landstra
Iris Landstra hit her stride this Spring/Summer season making the most memorable of runway rounds. Brands like Jil Stuart, Rodarte, Mulberry, Dolce and Gabbana, Maison Margiela, Chloe, Rick Owens, Céline and Miu Miu all were charmed by the Dutch sylph, who in turn walked her best yet.
Dolce & Gabbana – Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Isabella Ridolfi
Isabella Ridolfi captivated this show season thanks to her piercing looks, jet-black hair and a certain mystique. That presence made this Brazilian model a wanted commodity between Coach, J.W. Anderson, Mulberry, Gucci, Dolce & Gabanna, Dior, Valentino and Alexander McQueen.
Roberto Cavalli – Photo by Estrop/Getty Images
Jessie Bloemendaal
How quick can you bring a simmer to a boil? Just ask Jessie Bloemendaal who was one of Spring/Summer’s must-haves walking a total of 47 shows. A brimming list, truncated due to size, that includes everything from Alexander Wang (closed), Marc Jacobs, Gucci, Prada, Fendi, Versace, Maison Margiela (opened), Rick Owens (closed), Dior, Givenchy, Alexander McQueen (opened, closed) and Chanel. How’s that for a breakout?
Sacai – Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Jess PW
A pristine beauty from Perth, Jess first came to international attention when she walked the Prada Resort show in June 2015. But Spring/Summer 2017 turned out to be the season when Jess went on the attack – and with Alexander Wang, Proenza, Burberry, Prada, Versace, Jil Sander, Saint Laurent, Dior, Chloe, McQueen, Givenchy and Valentino being just a few of the very impressive amount of shows she walked, it’s fair to say that Jess conquered.
Versace – Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Johanna Defant
First coming to the attention of the fashion world thanks to walking for Anthony Vaccarello earlier this year, Johanna’s look gelled perfectly with Spring/Summer 2017’s collections. J.W. Anderson, Chanel, Isabel Marant, Alexander McQueen and Saint Laurent were all feeling Defant’s dreamy intellectual vibes.
Chanel – Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Luisana Gonzalez
Dominican and divine Luisana Gonzalez was at the top of her game for Spring/Summer. Some of the best designers and casting directors called the lovely Luisana into action and she was quick to answer. Case in point, big-ticket names like Alexander Wang, Proenza Schouler, Coach, J.W. Anderson, Topshop, Marni, Dior and McQueen all had her taking a turn on their catwalks.
J.W. Anderson – Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Luna Bijl
Paired with a red-hot editorial streak, Luna Bijl is definitely having a moment. The mesmerizing cover girl racked up an equally smashing Spring/Summer show season with appearances for Alexander Wang, Fendi, Moschino, Lanvin, Balmain, Chanel, Miu Miu and Louis Vuittion–making her a marvel on the catwalk, too.
Balmain – Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Maria Zakrzewska
Persistence pays off. Maria is not brand new to the runway, but this was the season all the stars aligned for this pretty Pole. From Opening Ceremony in New York to Burberry in London, Gucci in Milan and Balenciaga in Paris, and from highbrow to sultry, Maria’s appeal is real and varied.
Jil Sander – Photo by Pietro D’aprano/Getty Images
Noemie Abigail
It’s been a long time coming for breakout star Noemie Abigail’s first days winning a modeling competition and an exclusive debut at Prada F/W 16. For S/S 17, the curly French beaut started off swinging in London with J.W. Anderson, Versus, Burberry, before heading back to Milan and the show that started it all, Prada. Fendi, Missoni, Loewe, Dior, Sacai, Alexander McQueen and an opening slot at Valentino cemented a dominant breakout season.
Dior – Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Nora Attal
Since her arrival in J.W. Anderson’s campaign, British babe Nora Attal has kept a slow and steady pace with runway jaunts for Dior, Loewe and Fendi couture. She returned with a bang this go around opening for J.W. Anderson and Acne, along with walking for Simone Rocha, Burberry, Prada, Dior, Céline and Nina Ricci – all this while studying for her exams. Who says you can’t have it all?
Burberry – Photo by Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/WireImage
Rina Fukushi
This pouty Japanese stunner first came into the spotlight walking the show circuit in her native Tokyo and then at her exclusive debut for Louis Vuitton last season. As LV stands as one of the last shows during fashion month, she returned this season with a vengeance starting at NY staples Alexander Wang, Rag & Bone & Marc Jacobs before jetting to Milan and Paris to take on Bottega Veneta, Max Mara, Missoni, Acne, & Miu Miu.
Marc Jacobs – Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Sasha Kichigina
This Belarussian tzarina is no stranger to the spotlight with a Dolce & Gabbana campaign already under her belt. Her big runway breakout rolled through with top spots at Tommy Hilfiger, Christopher Kane, Pucci and Dolce & Gabbana before finishing strong in Paris with Carven, Céline, Valentino, Stella McCartney and Miu Miu as the finale.
Emanuel Ungaro – Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Stunning selection. Jess PW, Jessie Bloemendaal, my favorite new faces of the last months. Jay Wright, Lena Hardt, Maria Zakrzewska, Ellen Rosa, Mackenna Hellam, Lara Mullen, Cara Taylor, Elibeidy Danis, Anique Jozsi, Birgit Kos, Kris Grikaite, Lead Rodl, Manuela Sanchez, Sara Grace, others of my favorite faces of this season.
Jay Wright isn’t in this list because she appears on the Fall/Winter list of newcomers.
Faretta is Croatian, not Italian.
Sadden by the lack of diversity in Sissy Vian’s selections. Her selections show the problems within the industry right now.
Model
Let’s discuss lifestyle of male and female fashion models. What do you do with your time? Charm School and reflecting the industries whistles!
wow!!!!!!!
Faretta is Croatian, not Italian?!