The top 10 breakout models of 2022 see some fresh faces along with the ones from past seasons as designers chose new models for their collections.
According to Tag-walk, America Gonzalez topped the model for the most number of shows at thirty, but other faces we had not seen before came into view this season as rising stars. They hailed from all over the world showing that beauty is found in diversity (and high cheekbones).
America Gonzalez – Age 24
Sultry and sallow-complexioned, America Gonzales is a second-year medical student at the Central University of Venezuela. Her intelligence is only surpassed by her modesty – her sister pushed her to get involved in an open call to model in Caracas. With a gaze that is as straight as it is piercing, her cheekbones inspired a host of photographers. It’s a shame she wants to write prescriptions instead of walk the runway. That said, a hospital corridor could handle her catwalk, even in scrubs. Or perhaps scrubs will go the way of airline companies, and employ designers. One thing is for sure, none of us would mind going under with her face to wake up to.
Sherry Shi – Age 20
Sherry Shi was scouted when she was with her sister who was already a model at just sixteen. Hailing from Houston, now based in London, she is a Chinese American with fluent Mandarin. French Vogue claims she has done a whopping 34 shows this season, but Tagwalk limits it to 29. Still, that’s an impressive number and only one behind America Gonzalez, but who is competing? She counts her sister as her biggest role model and teacher, and her advice has been to make sure she is smart and self-aware. From what we can observe, she has already ticked those boxes!
Victoria Fawole – Age 20
Victoria Fawole made her debut on the International runway in Simone Rocha Fall-Winter 2021. In a short space of time she has strutted her stuff for big names like Prada, Miu Miu, Stella McCartney, Max Mara, Saint Laurent, Chanel, Dior, and she just keeps getting cast. London based, this Nigerian beauty keeps her profile up as one of the best newcomers to the industry.
Caren Jepkemei – Age 24
Born and raised in Kenya, Caren is refreshingly grounded, being scouted in Nairobi in 2019. She went to Paris Fashion Week, and the rest, as she says, is history! She counts Grace Jones and Alex Awek as her career inspiration and stays calm by meditating for a few moments before stepping out on the runway. A career milestone for her was when she modelled next to Amar from Ethiopia for Vogue Italy in May 2021, to which she tweeted ecstatically ‘Finally I have a dream come true!’
Maty Fall – Age 21
This serene beauty submitted photos to herself to IMG and was signed immediately. When she closed the Saint Laurent Spring/Summer 2020 show in a white tulle dress the audience gasped and her future was secured. African born, her father moved to Italy when she was nine and she became an Italian citizen at 18. Vogue aptly warned us as far back as 2020 to expect to see a lot more of her, and that we have, with 24 shows over Fall/Winter 2022.
Tanya Churbanova – Age 25
With eyes so wide set she looks like she was the face behind the inspiration for Avatar, Russian born Tanya has made an impression on the modelling world since 2019. She was the face of Zara 2022 despite anti-Russian sentiments. Fortunately, she says, the modelling world is ‘friendly’ and no-one is cancelling Russian-born models. Tanya is studying to be a veterinarian and dreams of having an apartment in Paris. With 25 shows in Fall/Winter, her dream will surely become a reality.
Yilan Hua
Yilan Hua was a nominee in 2021’s breakout model of the year in the MDX Industry Award with a career that started only three years ago. She is arguably the breakout with the most followers, having a whopping 81K on Instagram. Modelling for Chinese citizens is not easy, with visa barriers meaning they cannot exit the country easily. This is coupled with a different cultural expectation of beauty within China meaning they may not find enough work when they are home although used extensively abroad. She has wise advice for processing disappointment, saying that rejections after interviews are not personal but because a model does not fit the way in which a brand wants to represent itself. Perhaps she may win MOTY for models.com in 2022.
Vilma Sjoberg – Age ?
From Mikas polaroids in 2019 to a line up of the top names in the industry in 2022, Swedish born Vilma Sjoberg’s rise has been meteoric. Long may she bask in the glory.
Greta Hofer – Age 21
Austrian, with straight bangs and winged eyeliner, Greta can do either grungy European for Courreges or Parisian chic at Dior showcasing her versatility as a model. With that kind of chameleon flexibility, Greta has a lot of catwalks to lope down in the future.
Lucy Rosiek – Age 18
Lucy hails from New Zealand’s South Island but there’s nothing hobbitish about this creature. Deer-like, she looks as though she’s been caught in the headlights. But with those eyes looking back, it’s easy to focus attention on the clothes hanging from her frame, which have included Louise Vuitton, Loewe, Raf Simons and Prada.
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