Cardi B had a big—very big—2018. Not only did she dominate the charts with her album Invasion of Privacy, she also rose to fame within the inner sanctum of the high fashion world (and just outside of it on the fringes of mass Instagram culture). Cardi designed a clothing line for Fashion Nova and became a front-row fixture at major runway shows from Tom Ford to Alexander Wang. She also attended her first Met Gala on the arm of designer Jeremy Scott. There’s no doubt she’ll continue to dominate and surprise us all in the new year, but who will take over some of her stylish spark in 2019?
The near future is bright with PYTs, exceptional actors and actresses, and a few notable comeback stories that are sure to make headlines. As men’s fashion month kicks off tomorrow in London, here’s hoping that more than a few of these buzzy faces will take their rightful place in the front rows or even, maybe, model on the runway.
Maya Hawke
The daughter of Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke has a big year ahead of her. She’s starring in Quentin Tarantino’s new film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and she’s been cast in the third season of Stranger Things. Hawke has already appeared in Zac Posen’s Spring 2019 lookbook and is sure to inspire more designers in the coming months; Nicolas Ghesquière is a Stranger Things superfan . . .
Missy Elliott
Missy Elliott is set to release her first album since 2005 this year, so there’s little doubt we’ll see more of her out and about than we have in quite some time. Elliott could very well perform at an after-party or two or possibly turn up in the front row at a show like Alexander Wang. (She performed at the launch event for his H&M collaboration back in 2015.)
Bad Bunny
Move over Migos: There’s a stylish new rapper making waves in the fashion game. Latin trap rapper and reggaeton singer Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, was featured on songs by Cardi B and J.Lo in 2018, and his outrageous, flashy style, courtesy of Chanel sunglasses and Louis Vuitton jean jackets, did not go unnoticed. His swagger is a surefire fit for major houses like Gucci and Versace.
Stefania Owen
This 19-year-old actress has stirred up a lot of buzz with her leading role in Harmony Korine’s upcoming film, The Beach Bum. Owen, who was born and raised in New Zealand, also starred opposite Lucas Hedges last year in the off-Broadway hit Yen. She seems poised for a position front row, or in a fashion campaign, at Rodarte or possibly Miu Miu, seeing that both brands love a young starlet on the rise.
Sheck Wes
Rapper Sheck Wes blew up after releasing his 2018 hit “Mo Bamba.” He walked in John Elliott’s Spring 2019 show in New York and has since spoken openly about wanting to model part-time.
Rihanna
The Bad Gal has a new album coming out this year—get excited! While Rihanna has been less of a presence in the front row during the last few seasons (mainly because she’s been helming her own label Fenty), there’s a good chance that she’ll be making the rounds in New York or Paris.
Timothée Chalamet
Simple: He will always be fashion’s beautiful boy.
Florence Pugh
One of the most talked-about films of 2019 is Greta Gerwig’s Little Women. The cast is filled with stylish actors like the aforementioned Monsieur Chalamet and Saoirse Ronan and one newcomer who has immense fashion potential on top of her on-screen chops. Florence Pugh made an impression on critics for her lead performance in the indie film Lady Macbeth, winning the 2018 “Rising Star” award at the BAFTAs in Miu Miu. She’s likely to be the target of many a fashion label’s VIP manager when she starts Little Women’s press tour.
Post Malone
He’s a controversial figure as far as fashion is concerned, but Post Malone definitely got a lot of cred for his sleazy-chic style in 2018. Due to the fact that he spent all of last year rocking custom suits, Dolce Gabbana blouses, and Saint Laurent boots, we’re betting that the rapper will make his front-row debut in 2019.
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus has been out of the fashion world (or at least out of the front rows) for some time now. But! She’s got a new album coming out soon, and she’s been promoting her new song with Mark Ronson, “Nothing Breaks Like a Heart,” wearing a seriously stylish wardrobe. Her favorites as of late? Louis Vuitton, vintage Christian Dior, and Vivienne Westwood, whose white gown she wore when she married Liam Hemsworth over the holiday.
Gillian Anderson
The former X-Files star and exposed-thong trendsetter Gillian Anderson has a new show coming out on Netflix titled Sex Education. Here’s hoping that she and her minimal ’90s-era style will make a comeback during fashion month.
Ezra Miller
Who doesn’t want more Ezra Miller in the front row? Or even better, to see him walk a runway? The Fantastic Beasts actor has become the poster boy for modern male peacocking, turning up on the red carpet in a floor-length hooded puffer from Moncler and watching the Spring 2019 Dior Men’s fashion show holding a hybrid pen-champagne glass while sketching the clothes. Miller is currently working on two big projects for 2020, one of which is a biopic in which he’ll play a young Salvador Dalí. Just think of the surrealist fashion possibilities he might experiment with. Schiaparelli couture, anyone?
Zazie Beetz
Atlanta’s Zazie Beetz made her Vogue magazine debut in the September 2018 issue, and we’re still cheering for her from the fashion sidelines now that the new year has hit. She’s starring opposite Joaquin Phoenix and Robert De Niro in Joker, out this October, and ahead of the film’s release she could make the rounds at some high-profile shows. It wouldn’t be her first public fashion moment either, as she previously attended an Oscar de la Renta show in 2017 and wore Ralph Lauren to last year’s Emmy Awards.
Charlie Plummer
One look at Charlie Plummer’s Instagram and you’ll realize why this young heartthrob actor has major front-row potential. Like Timothée Chalamet, this indie-film darling has a sharp fashion sense, with a wardrobe that includes track pants, Perry Ellis polo shirts, trucker hats, and a couple of full runway looks from Dior Men. The All the Money in the World star has two new projects due out this year.
Jonah Hill
Like Post Malone, Jonah Hill hit an accidental fashion high in 2018, getting online attention for his quirky tees, bucket hats, and an impressive collection of hypebeast-approved gear. The actor turned director might not show up in too many front rows, but he did say that he was hoping to launch his own fashion line soon. Well, Jonah, 2019 is your year to shine.