There’s no better showcase for models than the Paris couture shows. With artistry pushed to the hilt and the entire world watching, a great moment at couture can transform a model into a phenomenon. This season, with an expanded lineup and a series of larger-than-life event shows, there were plenty of opportunities to shine—and the girls who made the biggest impact weren’t the household names. Get to know 10 rising stars who ruled the couture shows.
Aurora TalaricoInstagram: @auroratalaricoo
Opening Valentino’s couture show is a surefire way to get noticed, and this season, and Aurora Talarico was girl number one at Pierpaolo Piccioli’s Vatican-themed collection. Tall and classically beautiful, the Italian newcomer has already mastered one facet of modern modeling: social media. Capturing her experience in a series of Instagram posts, Talarico thanked Piccioli and the Valentino team for making her dreams reality.
Miki EharaInstagram: @miki_ehara
Scouted while working at a sporting goods store two years ago, Japanese stunner Miki Ehara made her first international appearance at Louis Vuitton’s Louvre extravaganza during Fall 2017. Since then, she’s become one of the brand’s regulars, and during her first couture season, other labels were equally responsive to her cool-girl attitude. Between outings at Christian Dior, Fendi, and Elie Saab during couture as well as appearing in Hermès’s resort show, she had a productive week.
Nikki VonseeInstagram: @nikkivonsee_
A great face is a model’s best asset, and newcomer Nikko Vonsee has exactly that. Pouty and pretty with a look that calls to mind a young Fernanda Tavares, Vonsee had the audience asking, “who’s that girl?” when she made her runway debut at Valentino.
Yvonne BevandaInstagram: @yvonneb.97
When it comes to shows, quality matters more than quantity, but it doesn’t hurt to walk nearly every big show on the calendar. Croatian stunner Yvonne Bevenda made her presence felt at Chanel, Giambattista Valli, Elie Saab, and Azzedine Alaia during couture—not bad for a model who set foot on the runway for the first time only two weeks ago.
Imari KaranjaInstagram: @imari_karanja
During the ready-to-wear shows, Imari Karanja racked up multiple exclusives, with Prada, Marc Jacobs, and Loewe all clamoring for her attention. Born in Massachusetts and raised in Georgia, Karanja has STEM ambitions—she wouldn’t mind a career in astrophysics—but for the moment she’s a modeling MVP. This week, she strutted her stuff at Maison Margiela, Giambattista Valli, and Christian Dior in addition to squeezing in a resort moment for Hermès.
Justine AssetInstagram: @justine_asset
First spotted by agents while out shopping, the aptly named French rising star is a seasoned basketball player and Chanel veteran who began her career with an exclusive turn for the brand back in Fall 2016. Since then, Asset has worked steadily, but couture provided a breakthrough moment, thanks to appearances at Valentino and Christian Dior.
Silke Van DaalInstagram: @silkevandaal
The latest Dutch beauty to catch the eye of casting directors, Silke van Daal isn’t afraid to be kooky. A bookish beauty who is a fan of Cara Delevingne, Van Daal graduated from high school only weeks before the season began. With a walk for Proenza Schouler’s resort collection followed up with a couture debut at Valentino, Van Daal gained a momentum that should carry over into editorials.
Barbra-Lee GrantInstagram: @barbraleegrant
Already the face of Balenciaga’s latest campaign, Jamaican rising star Barbra-Lee Grant began the week with her face plastered all over the streets of Paris. After walking for Rodarte’s Paris debut with flowers in her hair and transforming into a futuristic muse for Iris van Herpen’s couture collection, she proved herself a necessary addition to any show.
Africa PeñalverInstagram: @africa_penalver
Equestrian turned model Africa Peñalver has been on a roll since kick-starting her career with a J.W. Anderson exclusive back in Fall 2017. Blessed with a regal look ideal for couture, she managed to walk for nearly every big show, including Chanel, Dior, Maison Margiela, and Elie Saab.
Milena IoannaInstagram: @milena_ioanna
A darling Russian newcomer with the pixieish look of Lily Cole and Gemma Ward, Milena Ioanna was a natural for some of couture’s cutesier creations, bringing impish energy to Dior, Giambattista Valli, and Valentino.