6 Model MVP's from Fashion Month
Photo: Imaxtree
Left to right: Nadja Bender at Alexander Wang; Lara Mullen at Lanvin; Kati Nescher at Prada
It's like fantasy football for fashion people. Every season, we latch onto some new faces and some old favorites, and follow them through the style equivalent of the playoffs—will they get that Heisman/opening spot at Prada? Or will they stumble, felled by a too-rough tackle or a too-high heel? Here, industry experts weigh in on their top draft picks for the season.
Nadja Bender
Walked for: Alexander Wang, Versace, Burberry Prorsum, Christian Dior
Jeremy Spears, Marie Claire Bookings Director
"Since her runway debut last season, I have known Nadja Bender of New York Models would be a breakout star. This season she proved it. Nadja opened for Alexander Wang and Rodarte in New York and has gone on to walk every A-List show in Europe. Her versatility, strong features (whoa, those cheekbones!), and confidence on the runway have all the makings of a supermodel."
Lara Mullen
Walked for: Prada, Nina Ricci, Jil Sander, Mulberry
David Milosevich, Casting Director, Casting & Consulting LLC
"I love Lara Mullen this season. Beautiful, poised and can transform to become any designer's muse."
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Kati Nescher
Walked for: Balenciaga, Stella McCartney, Lanvin, Givenchy
Zoe Bruns, Harper’s Bazaar Photography & Bookings Director
"She’s a natural beauty, but has a dark mystery that keeps you looking. Her look embodies the perfect mix of elegance and downtown cool."
Julia Samersova, Casting Director, Cast Inc.
"I would have to say the model that has made the most impact this season is Kati Nescher (DNA models). At age 27, she is the opposite to the prepubescent industry standard. She is also a mother to her 2 year old son. She is a breath of fresh air and was definitely this season's MVP! It is with admiration and a sigh of relief that I am watching our industry whole-heartedly embrace her. It's about time we started to aspire to look like the women we actually are, and not the teenagers we were."
Photo: Imaxtree
Left to right: Ruby Aldridge at Louis Vuitton; Hanne Gaby Odiele at Nina Ricci; Andrej Pejic at Gaultier
Ruby Aldridge
Walked for: Christian Dior, Hermès, Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton
Valerie Killeen, BleachBlack
"Madly in love with Ruby Aldridge…She has this really striking 90's supermodel aura (think Christy Turlington meets Linda Evangelista), yet she's a bit more unconventional and slightly less 'glam'—which feels really modern right now."
Hanne Gaby Odiele
Walked for: Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Nina Ricci, Dries van Noten
Vanessa Jackman, street-style photographer and blogger
"Off the runway, Hanne Gaby is definitely the girl to watch. She has such great personal style and confidence. What she wears off the catwalk, running to her car after a big show, is just as important as what she wears during the show. The magazine editors are watching as are many potential advertisers—I think models (and their agencies) are finally starting to realize the huge exposure potential that can come from being photographed after shows. Some of the newer models, for example Andie Arthur, also have great personal style, and I can't wait to see how their style evolves over the next few seasons."
Andrej Pejic
Walked for: Jean Paul Gaultier
Kyle Anderson, Marie Claire Accessories Director
"My favorite model is Andrej Pejic, who walked in the Jean Paul Gaultier show this week in Paris. Andrej has a star quality that most models can't possess. He's a 20-year-old Australian male model that is booked nine times out of ten as a female model. When Andrej walks in a show, people cheer for him and there is a lot of excitement. Fashion has never had someone like Andrej who has the face and body of a female supermodel at 6’1". He wore a metallic graffiti suit with fur collar and they used long extensions for the hair—it was also one of my favorite looks. In Andrej’s own words, he's 'young, fresh and unisex.'"
