Who:
Angelo Ricco — @angelo_lucixno — Mexican from Mexico City, Mexico — born May 10th — 183 cm / 6’0″ — he/him.

Where:
Nook Model Management (Mexico City – mother agency)

— The most interesting thing about your family:
We are all dedicated to art.

— What’s a favorite book/movie/TV show, and why do you love it?
I’m a big fan of anime. My favorite series is Naruto, because it has many hidden messages that I like to decipher, as well as seeing the main character achieve his dreams from scratch.

— What are 3 interesting facts about you?
1. I like to sing and play the guitar.
2. I really enjoy going to museums, exhibitions and everything that has to do with art.
3. I have Italian and Dominican ancestry.

Who:
Annaya Baird — @bingi.nys — Trinidadian and Tobagonian/American from Maryland, USA — born May 18th — 180 cm / 5’11” — she/her.

Where:
ELSA – Exclusive Look & Scouting Alliance (Miami – mother agency), Coco Velvet International (Trinidad & Tobago), Supreme Management (New York)

— An issue or cause you are passionate about:
The erasure of Caribbean dialects and languages in the name of proper English. It is frowned upon to speak it in formal spaces and students who dare use it are deemed unintelligent. The loss of cultural speech is a loss of identity. Why are we taught to conform when both can coexist?

— What’s a favorite book/movie/TV show, and why do you love it?
In primary [school], I owned a dvd of my first “big girl” movie – “The Devil Wears Prada.” I found the intro of the girls getting ready so chic, and you could see the influence of Andy’s makeover in the looks I’d curate for my at-home “fashion shows.” My mom would come home from work to find me watching it into the wee hours of the morning. To this day I quote the iconic line, “…That’s all.”

— If you were to choose a song that symbolizes this current phase of your life, what would it be and why?
“Open My Door” by Alice Phoebe Lou. She sings about reclaiming the her that she’s lost over time, and no longer prioritizing others at her own demise. I interpret it less as choosing to not serve others, but more pouring more into myself. This chapter is about taking risks and reaching goals I hadn’t dreamt of before.

Who:
Caio Perin — @caioeduperin — Brazilian from Maringá, Paraná, Brazil — born January 25th — 190 cm / 6’3″ — he/him.

Where:
Way Model Management (São Paulo – mother agency)

— What are 3 interesting facts about you?
I come from a rural town in the interior of Paraná, in the South of Brazil. I was brought up beekeeping, I love horse riding and, at the end of the day, I like to collect honey because we keep bees.

— The most interesting thing about your family:
My great-grandparents arrived in Brazil by ship in 1951, via São Paulo, and soon afterwards went to the city of Maringá, in Paraná. They were coffee planters. Today, my whole family has lived in the same place for four generations.

— How did you become a model?
From a very young age, because of my height, people told me I should be a model and look for a local agency in my town. In March 2024, I plucked up the courage to go for an interview and was soon accepted.

Who:
Erik Ilin — @_ ilierk _ — Kazakhstani from Almaty, Kazakhstan — born December 15th — 192 cm / 6’3.5″ — he/him.

Where:
IMG Paris, Dazzle Model Management (mother agency), IMG Milano

— One thing people may be surprised to find out about you:
Most people are surprised when they learn about the ethnic origins of my background. The fact that I am a quarter Armenian and a quarter Jewish is particularly astonishing to many.

— What’s an essential part of your daily routine?
Every day for me starts with washing my face and pouring myself a cup of Earl Grey tea with milk and two spoons of sugar.

— What are 3 interesting facts about you?
1. Since my childhood, I have been fond of hunting and fishing, which I actively engage in. These activities allow me to connect with nature and find peace and relaxation.
2. For 8 years, I was professionally engaged in ice hockey and achieved success in this sport. My experience in hockey has taught me the importance of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. However, due to moving to another country, I had to leave it.
3. I wrote a script for a theatrical performance, which was staged at a large city theater and enjoyed great success, as the hall was always full. This experience allowed me to combine my creativity with my passion for the arts.

Who:
Ruby Samuels — @ruby.samu — British from London, UK — born July 11th — 180 cm / 5’11” — she/her.

Where:
Perception Models (London – mother agency), Nevs (London)

— How did you become a model?
I was first scouted in 2017, while queuing up for a Zoella pop-up shop in London (I was a mega fan). I was an awkwardly lanky, 5’9″, 12-year-old, so I think the scout thought I was a lot older. They approached my dad, I was too focused on keeping my spot in the massive queue, to even notice what was going on. I’ve been interested in the fashion industry since and was scouted by my lovely mother agent on social media during lockdown!

— What’s a favorite book/movie/TV show, and why do you love it?
Recently, I’ve been watching Michaela Coel’s “Chewing Gum” with my flatmates — we watch it and laugh hysterically. I love it because, if I’m being completely honest sometimes, I feel like the main character Tracey — having awkward interactions and doing silly cringe-worthy things!

— An issue or cause you are passionate about:
I study cancer science at university and work in a lab part-time. I’m super interested in learning more about the human body, and I really hope to make a contribution to cancer research in the future!

Who:
Yao Zhou — @sweetcolacola — Chinese from Chengdu, Sichuan, China — born February 7th — 173 cm / 5’8″ — she/her.

Where:
404modellab (China – mother agency)

— Can you tell us about your happiest childhood memory?
My happiest childhood was when a large group of my peers in our yard came home from school every day to play games without a care in the world.

— If money wasn’t an obstacle, what would you be doing with your life?
I think I’ll travel around and see the world.

— How did you become a model?
When I graduated, I wanted to find a part-time job with a little more freedom outside of sitting hours, so I chose a modeling agency to interview on a recruitment software, and I’ve been modeling ever since.