{"id":70834,"date":"2026-11-04T16:36:24","date_gmt":"2026-11-04T21:36:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/?p=70834"},"modified":"2026-11-04T21:28:26","modified_gmt":"2026-11-05T02:28:26","slug":"the-graduates-alaina-rae","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/the-graduates-alaina-rae\/","title":{"rendered":"The Graduates: Alaina Rae"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class='row' id='cover'>\n<div class=\"small-12 medium-12 columns\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/016_7708_V3_4x5_HR.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"2000\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" \/>\n  <\/div>\n<div id=\"covertitle\">\n<h3>The Graduates<\/h3>\n<h1>Alaina Rae<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n#content .row {max-width:100%}\n#cover { \nbackground-color: white; position: relative; margin: 0 auto 30px auto;; text-align: center; \n}\n#covertitle, #covertitle h1, #content #covertitle h3 { \ncolor: white;\nfont-family: \"SuisseIntl-SemiBold\", sans-serif; \n}\n#covertitle { \nposition: absolute; bottom: 2%; width: 100%; font-size: 3.8rem; font-weight: 900; \n}\n#content #covertitle h3 { \nfont-size: 8vw; line-height: 12vh;\ntext-transform: uppercase; \n}\n#covertitle h1 { \nfont-size: 12vw; \ndisplay: inherit; \n}\n#content div.post h2 {margin: 20px 0; background: white; font-family: \"SuisseIntl-SemiBold\",sans-serif; font-size: 2rem; color: #333;}\n@media (min-aspect-ratio: 1\/1) {\n    \/* Styles for tablets in landscape *\/\n   #cover img {width: 70% !important;}\n   #content #covertitle h3 { font-size: 4vw;}\n   #covertitle h1 { font-size: 6vw; display: inherit; }\n}\n#introbox { border: 1px solid white; padding: 90px 30px !important; max-width: 850px; margin: auto !important; font-family: \"SuisseIntl-SemiBold\",sans-serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: center !important; }\n.introblurb, .introblurb p, .post div.introblurb p:first-child {\nfont-size: .7em; \nline-height: 1.6; \ntext-align:justify;\nfont-family: \"SuisseIntl-Book\", sans-serif;\npadding: .3em 1em;\n}\n#content div.introcredits, #content div.introcredits p {\nfont-family: \"SuisseIntl-Book\", sans-serif;\nfont-size: .8em; \n}\n.pic40 { margin: 2% 10%;; text-align: center; }\n.videocontainer {max-width:600px; margin: auto;}\n.txtbox { \nfont-family: \"SuisseIntl-Book\",sans-serif; \nline-height: 2;\nfont-weight: 400; \nwidth: 36%; \nborder: 0; \nmargin: auto; \npadding: 5%;\n}\n.pullquote {\nfont-size:4vw;\nline-height: 1;\ntext-align:center;\nfont-style:italic;\nmax-width:900px;\nmargin:auto;\npadding:1em;\nfont-family: \"SuisseIntl-SemiBold\",sans-serif;\n}\n.credits:empty {display:none;}\n.credits {\nfont-size: .75rem; \npadding: 2rem 0;; \nfont-weight: normal; \ntext-align: center; \nclear: both; \ntext-transform: uppercase; \nmax-width: 800px; \nmargin: auto; }\n#thumbsul { margin: 0 8%; }\n.text-left {text-transform: capitalize !important;}\n#thumbsul a, .text-left a {color: black;}\n#thumbsul a:hover, .text-left a:hover {color: #666;}\n.separ { border: 1px solid white; clear: both; margin: 60px; }\nem {color: #999;}\n.introcredits em {margin-right: .35em;}\n.txtbox p {margin: 0 0 1.5em 0;}\n.txtbox p:last-child {margin-bottom: 0;}\n<\/style>\n<link type=\"text\/css\" rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/css\/sb\/f9defe4b9aca4767cc8a4f9e8a8731fa33a8f40b.css\"\/>\n<!-- mdc font Suisse --><\/p>\n<div class=\"txtdiv\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"introbox\">\n<div class=\"introblurb\">\n<p>For over a decade, Models.com\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/tag\/the-graduates\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The Graduates series<\/a> has served as a visual check-in with the models of the moment who have consistently performed at the highest levels, graduating from rising newcomers on the Hot List to the Top 50&#8217;s most recognizable faces. Stars like Bella Hadid, Hoyeon, Vittoria Ceretti, Selena Forrest, and Sora Choi, to name a few, have all taken part in the milestone series, which marks a defining shift in a model\u2019s career. With major bookings across editorials, campaigns, lookbooks, and runways, these models have secured their places among fashion&#8217;s most sought-after talents, working with leading luxury houses and influential creatives while continuing to make their mark on the global stage.<\/p>\n<p>For the 2026 edition, Models.com headed back to Paris during the whirlwind of Fashion Week to capture this year&#8217;s graduating class through the lens of photographer <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/valentin-herfray\">Valentin Herfray<\/a>, with styling by <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/dara-allen\">Dara<\/a> and looks exclusively from LVMH Prize finalist <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/client\/de-pino\">De Pino.<\/a> Beyond the images, the cast sits down with the Models.com team to reflect on their unexpected beginnings, career-defining moments, the designers and photographers who have shaped their journeys, and what lies ahead as they cement their positions as the next generation of leading faces in fashion.\n  <\/div>\n<div class=\"introcredits\">\n<p><em>Photography<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/valentin-herfray\">Valentin Herfray<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Stylist<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/dara-allen\">Dara<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>Collection<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/client\/de-pino\">De Pino<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Hair Stylist<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/sarah-jo-palmer\">Sarah Jo Palmer<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Makeup Artist<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/julian-stoller\">Julian Stoller<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Manicurist<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/sylvie-vacca\">Sylvie Vacca<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Movement Director<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/gabriele-esposito\">Gabriele Esposito<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>Video Director &amp; Art Direction<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/marcelgitard\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Marcel Gitard<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/en__mode\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">En Mode<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Video Director of Photography<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/maxime_thioletberger\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Maxime Thiolet Berger<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>Editor-in-Chief<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/stephan-moskovic\">Stephan Moskovic<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Editorial Director<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/irene-ojo-felix\">Irene Ojo-Felix<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>Interviewer<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/irene-ojo-felix\">Irene Ojo-Felix<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>Production<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/360_pm\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">360PM<\/a> &#8211; <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/agency\/management-artists\">MA + Group<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Producers<\/em> Jocelyn Rummler and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/juliachelou\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Julia Lellouche<\/a><br \/>\n<em>1st Assistant Photographer<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/remiprocureur\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">R\u00e9mi Procureur<\/a><br \/>\n<em>2nd Assistant Photographer<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/joshuaredlinger\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Joshua Abecassis<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Digital Tech<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/romainboe\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Romain Bo\u00e9<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Retouching<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/inkretouch\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">INK<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Styling Assistants<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/monaantabli\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Mona Antabli<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/masziaa\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Maszia Oettgen<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Tailor<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/carolesavaton\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Carole Savaton<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Hair Assistants<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/celinel_muha\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Celine Lanclume<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/aimeric_hair\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Aimeric Amiot<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/tois_hair\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Taisiia Povalii<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Manicure Assistant<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/lemakeupdisa\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Isabelle Guyon<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Special Thanks<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/christopher-michael\">Christopher Michael<\/a> at Egos &amp; Icons<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"videocontainer\">\n<div style=\"position: relative; padding-top: 80%;\">\n  <iframe\n    src=\"https:\/\/customer-3i7jy10gxs89s0iu.cloudflarestream.com\/9d5f3ae552df3e89d03c710450ffe50f\/iframe?muted=true&#038;preload=true&#038;loop=true&#038;autoplay=true&#038;poster=https%3A%2F%2Fcustomer-3i7jy10gxs89s0iu.cloudflarestream.com%2F9d5f3ae552df3e89d03c710450ffe50f%2Fthumbnails%2Fthumbnail.jpg%3Ftime%3D%26height%3D600\"\n    style=\"border: none; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; height: 100%; width: 100%;\"\n    allow=\"accelerometer; gyroscope; autoplay; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture;\"\n    allowfullscreen=\"true\"\n  ><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"txtbox\">\n<p>American Top 50 model <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/models\/alaina-rae\">Alaina Rae<\/a> has had a whirlwind ten months. After making her runway debut at Valentino Haute Couture in January 2026, the Seattle-based model quickly became one of the season\u2019s most promising <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/top-newcomers-f-w-2026\/?sec=first-season&amp;sl=1\">Top Newcomers<\/a>, opening Marc Jacobs and walking for Alexander McQueen, Celine, Jil Sander, and Sacai. Her early success extended beyond the runway, with campaigns with Versace photographed by Steven Meisel and Celine with Zo\u00eb Ghertner. Yet Rae\u2019s arrival on fashion\u2019s biggest stages was years in the making. During the pandemic, inspired by her older sister\u2019s interest in acting, she participated in a 12-hour photo shoot that introduced her to the expressive possibilities of modeling. Drawing on her childhood experience in theater, she discovered a new creative outlet. \u201cI got those photos back, and I was like, \u2018I can be anybody.\u2019 I could genuinely play any character.\u201d Rather than waiting to be discovered, Rae submitted her photographs to Seattle\u2019s Heffner Management, becoming the architect of her own modeling career.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"small-12 medium-6 columns\">\n  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/014_6481_V3_4x5_HR.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"2000\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" \/>\n  <\/div>\n<div class=\"small-12 medium-6 columns\">\n  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/014_6929_V3_4x5_HR.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"2000\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" \/>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"pullquote\">&#8220;Everybody&#8217;s career is different. Everybody&#8217;s path is different. The one that&#8217;s right for you is the one that you make while being yourself.&#8221; <\/div>\n<div class=\"pic40\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/016_7486_V5_4x5_HR.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"2000\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"txtbox\">\n<p>She spent the next four years building experience through fit modeling and e-commerce before finally signing to an agency in New York. Following a stint overseas, she took a yearlong break, a decision she now considers pivotal. \u201cIt was the best thing that could have possibly happened to me, because right after I came back, everything started happening.\u201d Rae approached her first international fashion season with a renewed sense of confidence. \u201cAny room that I walk into, I will be 100% myself,\u201d she defined. Even while working alongside some of fashion\u2019s most celebrated creatives, she refuses to let prestige overshadow the importance of genuine human connection, and was exceptionally charming on the <a href=\"http:\/\/models.com\">Models.com<\/a> set. \u201cWe&#8217;re all people who are creative. We just want to put our art out there. It&#8217;s how we express ourselves.\u201d Despite a demanding international schedule, Rae remains firmly rooted in Seattle, where her carefully curated apartment serves as a sanctuary from the industry&#8217;s constant stimulation. As her career continues its rapid ascent, she remains determined to succeed on her own terms, offering a simple piece of advice to aspiring models: \u201cEverybody&#8217;s career is different. Everybody&#8217;s path is different. The one that&#8217;s right for you is the one that you make while being yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"small-12 columns\" id=\"thumbs\" style=\"text-align:center;\">\n<h2>The Graduates<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"small-block-grid-2 medium-block-grid-7\" id=\"thumbsul\">\n<li id=\"thumb-achol-kuir\"><a href=\"\/mdx\/the-graduates-achol-kuir\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/015_7299_V4_1x11_HR.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/013_5869_V3_1x11_HR.jpg\" style=\"display:none\"\/><br \/>\n        Achol Kuir<br \/>\n      <\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"thumb-alaina-rae\"><a href=\"\/mdx\/the-graduates-alaina-rae\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/016_7708_V3_1x11_HR.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/016_7486_V5_1x11_HR.jpg\" style=\"display:none\"\/><br \/>\n        Alaina Rae<br \/>\n      <\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"thumb-emeline-hoareau\"><a href=\"\/mdx\/the-graduates-emeline-hoareau\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/002_0640_V3_1x11_HR.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/003_1538_V3_1x11_HR.jpg\" style=\"display:none\"\/><br \/>\n        Emeline Hoareau<br \/>\n      <\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"thumb-fatou-kebbeh\"><a href=\"\/mdx\/the-graduates-fatou-kebbeh\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/011_5430_V3_1x11_HR.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/010_5088_V1_1x11_HR.jpg\" style=\"display:none\"\/><br \/>\n        Fatou Kebbeh<br \/>\n      <\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"thumb-frauke-nijs\"><a href=\"\/mdx\/the-graduates-frauke-nijs\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/005_3662_V5_EXT_1x11_HR.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/004_3411_V5_1x11_HR.jpg\" style=\"display:none\"\/><br \/>\n        Frauke Nijs<br \/>\n      <\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"thumb-lauren-huyskens\"><a href=\"\/mdx\/the-graduates-lauren-huyskens\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/009_4877_V5_1x11_HR.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/009_4952_V4_1x11_HR.jpg\" style=\"display:none\"\/><br \/>\n        Lauren Huyskens<br \/>\n      <\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"thumb-saar-mansvelt-beck\"><a href=\"\/mdx\/the-graduates-saar-mansvelt-beck\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/008_4439_V6_1x11_HR.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/007_4281_V4_1x11_HR.jpg\" style=\"display:none\"\/><br \/>\n        Saar Mansvelt Beck<br \/>\n      <\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"separ bottom\"><\/div>\n<p><script>\n$(\"[id^='thumb-']\").hover(function() {\n    $(this).find('img').toggle();\n});\n<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Graduates Alaina Rae For over a decade, Models.com\u2019s The Graduates series has served as a visual check-in with the models of the moment who have consistently performed at the highest levels, graduating from rising newcomers on the Hot List to the Top 50&#8217;s most recognizable faces. Stars like Bella Hadid, Hoyeon, Vittoria Ceretti, Selena [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":71,"featured_media":70891,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3044,155,99,2701,4257,1538,3066],"tags":[5561,1177,3144,5946,5947,2554,5943,5689,5945,5417,197,5944,2739,4278],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70834"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/71"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=70834"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70834\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":70913,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70834\/revisions\/70913"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/70891"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=70834"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=70834"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=70834"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}